The Hard Shoulder

Earlier, Ciara and Shane spoke with Doireann Ní Ghlacáin, Host of the How To Gael Podcast on their new six-part series of the podcast which tackles the question ‘How to Unite Ireland?’For more on this, Ciara is joined by Trevor Ringland, former unionist politician & former Irish rugby player.

The ESRI is today warning that higher energy prices as a result of war in the Middle East will push up inflation to an expected 3.2% this year. That outpaces last year’s rate of inflation of 2.2%. They have also pointed out that yesterday’s fuel excise duty reduction fails to target the less well off.Alan Barrett, Research Professor with the ESRI joins X to discuss their latest quarterly economic commentary.

The new National Children's Hospital will not be substantially completed by the end of April, with BAM missing the 18th completion deadline…For more on this, Shane is joined by Catherine Ardagh, Fianna Fáil TD for Dublin South Central.

Earlier this month a report from the ESRI found that we are “lagging considerably behind” our targets for decarbonising residential heat. Since then, we have also heard about the cumbersome nature of applying for grants to retrofit homes. So, is the current system fit for purpose? Or even worse, is it failing?Eamon Ryan, former Leader of the Green Party joins Ciara to discuss.

The How to Gael podcast has been driving conversations through and about the Irish language and they’ve just launched their (not contentious at all) ‘How To Unite Ireland?’ podcast.The six-part series features some big Irish names including Taoiseach Micheál Martin and GAA President Jarlath Burns.Joining Ciara and Shane to discuss the podcast is one of its hosts, Doireann Ní Ghlacáin.

It’s time now Our Ultimate Guide and as ever, our travel guide Fionn Davenport, Travel journalist and Lonely Planet author, joins me now in studio...Fionn joined Ciara and Shane to discuss Easter holidays and what to do with the kids in and around Dublin

Former BBC broadcaster Huw Edwards has said the upcoming Channel 5 drama about his downfall is "hardly likely to convey the reality of what happened".The two-part drama, Power: The Downfall Of Huw Edwards, which starts on tonight on Channel 5  Olivia Fahey, Entertainment Journalist & Creator of Press Play joined Ciara and Shane to discuss the drama.  

The Government will create an additional 42,000 beds for students over the next 9 years.Under the new “National Student Accommodation Strategy 2026 – 2035", the Government will use public-private partnerships and spare bedrooms in private homes to create the additional bedsThe Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science is James Lawless, and he joined Shane and Ciara to discuss this aswell the Government's response to the rising cost of Fuel as a result of the Iran war.

Author Cathy Kelly discusses her new book The Island Retreat and places her favourite books on The Hard Shoulder’s Bookshelf !

On Thursday Evening Ireland will play Czechia in the crucial World Cup playoff game. Many Thousands of Irish are expected in the Czech capital, Prague, despite very few tickets for the game being available. Henry McKean headed to Dublin Airport, where he caught up with the Irish who are making the journey to support the boys in green.