The Hard Shoulder

Research released earlier this summer showed that seat belt wearing rates have decreased among drivers and on top of that, drivers have been buying devices called ‘beep stoppers’ aimed at disabling car systems that beep when seat belts are not worn while driving.Is driving behaviour and attitudes at an all time low?Geraldine Herbert is a motoring editor and columnist with the Sunday independent and joins Kieran to discuss.

It’s been five years since the proposed White Water Rafting centre hit the public eye.Is the idea still a dud? Or should we consider it in light of our recent conversations around investing in sports infrastructure?To discuss, Kieran Cuddihy is joined by Donna Cooney, Green Party Cllr and Deputy Lord Mayor of Dublin and Dermot Lacey, Labour Party councillor on Dublin City Council.Image: Dublin City Council

Pharmacists should be able to prescribe for a range of common conditions.  So found a new report published today by the Expert Taskforce to Support the Expansion of the Role of Pharmacy.   Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly joined Kieran on this....

Electric Picnic is upon us as the gates of Stradbally Hall open up to 75,000 people from Thursday.Newstalk reporter, Josh Crosbie got a sneak preview of what people can expect. Hear from the organisers, stage creators and those performing.

Once upon a time the dinner table was the focal point of a family home where we all gathered to talk about the day and share our food together. But these days, the TV pulls our attention instead or we eat on the go. Should we revisit the dinner table and make a point of sitting together, sharing experiences and connecting? Joining Kieran is Tara O’Connor, Event planner and Table-scapist from the Designed Table and Michelle Harding, founder of School of Life ....

Kieran is joined by Broadcaster and Presenter Sarina Bellissimo.She’s been glued to the TV since the Paris Olympics began, and shares the best moments she’s found as a viewer from home.

Ahead of this year’s inevitable general election, Newstalk’s Political Correspondent, Sean Defoe, has been taking a look at what the major parties actually stand for.This week, he joins Kieran Cuddihy to profile Fianna Fáil, finding out what makes them different to the other party with Fianna in its name.

A recent survey by The Sunday Times has revealed that there are over 1,000 teacher vacancies in both primary and secondary schools across Ireland ahead of the academic year.So, what is the cause for our lack of teachers across the country? Mr Aaron Wolfe, principal of Coláiste Éamann Rís secondary school in Cork, joins Kieran to discuss.

For this week’s Kids Health Check, Kieran is joined by Enda Murphy, Clinical Psychotherapist and Director of SeeMee.ie to discuss travel anxiety and a fear of flying with children.

With new terminology being used every day, how do we decide what makes the Irish translation? From individual to official requests, the process of adding new words to the Irish language is a lengthy yet fascinating journey.Dr Gearóid Ó Cleircín, Assistant professor at DCU’s Fiontar and Scoil na Gaeilge and Member of An Coiste Téarmaíochta joins Kieran to discuss.