The Hard Shoulder

Former Irish footballer Damien Delaney joins Ciara Doherty for this week’s Thursday Interview!

The Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons starring film ‘Bugonia’ has been nominated for four Academy awards today.It was produced by Element Pictures, bringing the total number of Oscar nominations for the Dublin based production company to 30.Their co-CEO Ed Guiney joins Ciara to discuss! 

Contactless ticketing for public transport will come into effect in 2028 with infrastructure for the new system due to begin appearing next year. The National Transport Authority (NTA) says the new technology will begin in the Greater Dublin Area.This follows a previous pilot scheme in Tipperary, but what is the likelihood there will be further delays to its roll out?Joining Ciara to discuss is London Correspondent for the Irish Times, Mark Paul and Jason Cullen, Chairperson of the Commuter Coalition.Also joining to discuss is Newstalk Reporter Emily Keegan, who recently returned from China and experienced the public transport there.

A system to disregard the criminal convictions for pre-decriminalisation same-sex activity in Ireland is expected to be legislated in March.Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan is tabling an amendment today to the Civil Law, which will set out the process for disregarding convictions for same-sex activity.Kieran Rose is a member of the Department of Justice Working Group on Disregard  and member of LGBT Restorative Justice Campaign. He was in the Dáil today and joins Ciara to discuss.

‘Sorry seems to be the hardest word - unless you’re Irish’, so says Freelance Journalist Niamh O’Reilly, writing in The Irish Times on why we as a nation tend to have a habit of over apologizing.Is it simply politeness, or can it become passive aggressive?To discuss this, Ciara is joined by Niamh O’Reilly, as well as Brendan Kelly, Professor of Psychiatry, Trinity College Dublin.

Sinn Féin TD Matt Carthy has recently stated in the Dáil that the conditions of the roads in his locality are as bad as they have been during his time in politics.So, are potholes becoming a bigger issue right across the country, and how much damage are they doing to our vehicles?To discuss this, Ciara is joined by Sinn Féin’s Matt Carthy, as well as Joey Donnelly of Crofton Motors.

A recent report in the medical journal Open Heart done by The Irish Longitudinal Study on Aging at Trinity College Dublin, showed that the majority of over-50s with high blood pressure in Ireland are not having their condition adequately managed.To discuss the importance of this, Ciara is joined by Assistant Adjuvant Professor in Public Health and Primary Care at Trinity College Dublin and Kildare GP, Dr Brendan O’Shea.

Life can be full of confusing things, but no need to worry! Every Wednesday, Simon Tierney will be showing you ‘How to do Stuff’ - bringing his best tips for those things you might not think about.This week, Simon joins Ciara to discuss how you can colour code your life!

Salvage Squad returns for a second series on Virgin Media One this year, as Brian Dowling Gourounian and Peter Irvine help perform home makeovers on a budget.They both join Ciara to discuss!

MEPs have today voted to refer the Mercosur trade deal to the EU Court of Justice.By a majority of just 10 votes, MEPs backed a resolution which will see the controversial Mercosur go to judicial review. This could delay the parliament being able to vote on the deal for up to 2 years, which is how long it usually takes for these types of judicial processes to work their way through.To discuss this further, Ciara is joined by Ciaran Mullooly, Independent Ireland MEP.