The Hard Shoulder

Teachers in Monksland National School in Co Louth are eating their lunch in their cars due to the lack of space in the school and enrollment numbers doubling over the past decade…For more on this, Ciara is joined by Darragh Smith, acting Principal of Monksland NS in Louth and Ruairí Ó Murchú, Sinn Féin TD for Co Louth.

John Fardy, Presenter of Screentime on Newstalk and Sarina Bellissimo, Broadcaster and Presenter of the Bellissimo Files Podcast joined Ciara Doherty on The Hard Shoulder to review the latest TV and movie releases…

Last week, Airlines for America filed a complaint to the US Department of Transport over Dublin Airport’s passenger cap.To explain this decision, I’m now joined by Senior Vice President of International Affairs at Airlines for America, which represents the US airline industry, Keith Glatz.Also joining to discuss is Travel Journalist Eoghan Corry, and later Michael O’Leary, Group CEO of Ryanair.

A new strategy has this week been approved by the Cabinet aimed at enabling the further development of energy intensive facilities, including data centres.It’s an issue that has divided our listeners this week, and so we thought it would be great to get the answer from the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke.He joins Ciara to discuss.

The European Union Copernicus Climate Change Service has confirmed that 2025 was the third warmest year on record.Global temperatures from the past three years averaged more than 1.5°C above the pre-industrial levels.The world is getting warmer, but it seems like action isn’t as urgent as it needs to be. So, does the climate emergency have a messaging problem?Barry McLoughlin of the Communications Clinic joins Ciara to discuss.

Robert F Kennedy Jr has announced a new food pyramid with quite a few changes, to ‘Make America Healthy Again’. But, how effective is it?To discuss this, Ciara is joined by Sandra Wilkinson from the Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute.

Nuisance noise, bad parking and strange smells...According to a recent chill insurance survey - these are some of the most common gripes we have with our neighbours. And with people living in closer proximities and working from more than before, neighbourly disputes are increasingly getting out of hand and into the courts.  Newstalk's Sarah Madden reports.

Everyone loves getting a deal in all walks of life, but does this apply to the purchasing of workout equipment, or should you show caution?To discuss this, Ciara is joined by Personal and Wellness Trainer, John Belton.

The United States is withdrawing some personnel from bases in the Middle East, according to a US official, after a senior Iranian official said Tehran had warned neighbours it would hit American bases if Washington strikes.Tehran is seeking to deter US President Donald Trump's repeated threats to intervene on behalf of anti-government protesters.The UN Security Council has been due to meet in Iran today at the request of the United States.Ali Ansari is Professor of Iranian History & Founding Director of the Institute for Iranian Studies at the University of St Andrews. He joins Ciara to discuss.Image: Reuters

Now, let’s talk Traitors - don't worry, no spoilers here this evening!If you’ve been watching these series so far, you will have heard the players talk about their past experience as detectives, barristers or those who have had FBI training… so they have really upped their game this year to try and be the best player.But, can you be taught these things so quickly? And does it really help with gameplay?Joining Ciara to discuss is Darren Stanton, a former police officer, behaviour and body Language expert and also known as TV’s Human Lie Detector.