The Hard Shoulder

This week Emmet Oliver was joined by Saoirse Hanley Irish Independent columnist and Niamh O’Reilly to look back on the week that was, but with a few twists…

An Irish hospital has been trialling an AI tool that will allow cancer patients to report their symptoms via their phone.  The tool, developed by Irish company eAltra, gives medical teams the chance to assess the needs, concerns and health of patients in advance of their arrival at their appointment and also decide if they are suitable for treatment such as chemotherapy on the day or whether it is to be postponed.  Denis Roche founder of eAltra  joined Emmet Olilver to discuss

In  the wake of the long-awaited finale of Stranger Things finally dropping on Netflix you may have seen a storm of negative reaction to the ending online. From How I met Your Mother to the infamous final season of Game of Thrones, this has become a bit of a trend, but why do we never seem satisfied with the endings of our favourite shows?Are these endings really as bad as the online conversation would have us believe and are there any universally satisfying endings? Joining Emmet Oliver to discuss is Entertainment Journalist Olivia Fahy

Off The Ball's Cameron Hill joined Emmet Oliver on The Hard Shoulder to review the week in sport and look ahead to the weekend action.

1 year on from the opening of Irelands first medically supervised injection centre, Eddie Mullins, CEO of Merchants Quay Ireland joined Emmet Oliver now to discuss the importance of it and other services provided by Merchants Quay.  

Before Christmas, flu cases were surging, with more than 3,500 confirmed cases reported. That figure has since fallen, with 1,777 cases confirmed in the most recent week. While the numbers may have plateaued, health officials are warning that pressures on the system are likely to continue in the weeks following Christmas.To discuss this further among other issues that the country is facing, Emmet Oliver was joined by the Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill.

Joining Emmet Oliver was Architect Dermot Bannon ahead of the new season of Room to Improve, which airs Sundays at 9:30pm on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player.

Temperatures are set to plunge over the weekend with a status Yellow weather warning in place around the country, while some counties could see some snowTo give us the latest on what we can expect from the weather Emmet Oliver was joined by founder of Ireland’s Weather Channel Cathal Nolan  and by Brenda Bolger of Bolger’s Motoring School,

Justice Minister Jim O’ Callaghan has recently secured Government approval to publish the Criminal Law and Civil Law Bill 2025. One of the provisions within this bill would oblige the courts to consider a community service order in lieu of a prison sentence of up to 24 months' duration.We know our prisons are facing significant overcrowding, so could a wider use of community service ease this situation?To discuss, Emmet Oliver was joined by  Aontu leader Peadar Toibin and Former Mountjoy Governor John Lonergan.

Fionn Davenport, Lonely Planet author and city guide specialist, shares his love for Ljubljana after hands-on research. He highlights Jose Plečnik's playful architecture and the city’s lively creative scene. Walkable riverbanks, funicular castle views and quirky finds like milk vending machines get a mention. Tips on transport, seasonal activities and nearby trip ideas round out the conversation.