The Hard Shoulder

It’s time for the Shopping Trolley Hotline! Where we review the same product from various stores and brands.This week, Newstalk’s Simon Tierney joined Kieran to compare different offerings for bin bags.

Biting the bullet, cats got your tongue and a dime a dozen; these are all regular sayings we often quote, but where do we get them from, and why do some sound so strange?Dr Stephen Lucek, Assistant Professor in Linguistics in UCD joins Kieran to discuss.

During the trial and tribulations of online dating, are people’s personal beliefs or political views something you should consider when trying to find a partner?Joining Kieran to discuss is Saoirse Hanely, Audience Editor and Columnist at The Sunday Independent and Stephanie Regan, Clinical Psychotherapist and Co-host of Tough Love Podcast.

More and more American style SUVs are making their way into the Irish market, and due to a legal loophole with its classification, those vehicles are getting bigger and bigger.Do we need to cut this out? And are SUVs too dangerous for our roads?Kieran is joined by Cynthia Ní Mhurchú, MEP and Michael Pidgeon, Green Party Councillor to discuss.

Jess Kelly, Newstalk’s Tech Correspondent joined Kieran Cuddihy for the Tech Takeover! This week, she discusses the viral ‘very demure’ meme, and how its creator was beaten to the punch with a trademark.

We can’t welcome more fast-food restaurants with open arms when the country faces an obesity epidemic. So says Sinead Ryan, Consumer Columnist and Host of the Home Show on Newstalk, following news that McDonald’s plans to open 200 new restaurants across Ireland and the UK.She joins Kieran to discuss.

Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary has suggested a two drink limit for Dublin Airport in order to curb any potential anti-social behaviour.Joining Kieran to discuss if this is a good idea is Managing Director of Freedom Travel and Solo Travel, Ciara Mooney and Travel Writer, Joan Scales.

Excitement is building in Paris and beyond, as the Paralympics Opening Ceremony kicks off tonight.It’s hard not to feel the nerves, as the success of Team Ireland this summer has undoubtedly put some wind in the sails for these events.Joining Kieran to discuss what we can expect is former Irish Paralympian and Motivational speaker, Peter Ryan.

Cheers and jeers would have rung out in many Irish houses today as the first rounds of university offers from the CAO went out.But, for some university courses, students will be allocated random spots due to a high number of applicants.Why is this the case, and are inflated grades to blame here?Kieran is joined by John Walshe, Former Advisor to Education Minister Ruairi Quinn, to discuss.

Coldplay are due to kick off their Dublin show tomorrow and many have descended upon the city.With all those people booking hotels, would it make sense to have a tax on hotel rooms to make the most of big events like this?Labour Party Councillor on Dublin City Council, Dermot Lacey and Micheal Lennon, General Manager of the Westport Woods Hotel join Kieran to discuss.