The Hard Shoulder

Artist Paul Hughes joins Ciara Doherty for this week’s Thursday Interview!

Taoiseach Micheál Martin today begins a two-day official visit to Belém, Brazil to attend the COP30 Leader’s Summit.Newstalk Reporter Jessica Woodlock is there, and joins Ciara Doherty to give the latest updates.

Almost a quarter of Uisce Éireann staff earned a salary over one hundred thousand euro last year.Officials from Uisce Eireann appeared before the Public Accounts Committee earlier today outlining how over four hundred staff earned one hundred thousand euro or more last year…Uisce Eireann also outlined that it will be beyond 2030 before the Greater Dublin Drainage Project will be up and running, which was identified as necessary over a decade ago.Newstalk’s Chief Reporter Barry Whyte was monitoring this meeting, and joins Ciara Doherty to give the latest updates. Also joining to discuss is James Geoghegan, Fine Gael TD for Dublin Bay South, and member of the PAC committee.

The US Government shutdown has entered its 37th day - it is the longest period of time the American government has been closed…It all started on October 1st, because of the inability of Congress to agree to a new funding deal for Government workers and essential services.Joining Ciara Doherty to discuss is Anthony Zurcher, North American Correspondent with BBC News.

There are renewed calls for a dedicated transport police to be set up. Newstalk Reporter Josh Crosbie spent an evening out with Dublin Bus - one year since they have established the Safer Journeys team, and joins Ciara Doherty to discuss.

“Every diocese in Ireland would collapse if priests retired at 75”. That’s according to Father Roy Donovan, Spokesperson for the Association of Catholic Priests, but is Catholicism purely functional now?Joining Ciara Doherty to discuss is Portlaoise Parish Priest, Fr David Vard.

A new policy and a plan to strengthen the teaching, learning and use of Irish language in schools is due to be launched today by Minister for Education and Youth Helen McEntee, but what exactly should be done to encourage young people to love the Irish language and keep it alive?Joining me now is Irish Independent Columnist, Mary McCarty and Seán Ó Mhaoilchiaráin, Cuala Ceathair Presenter.

In this discussion, Simon Tierney, a regular contributor known for offering practical tips, shares insightful ways to compassionately break bad news. He explores why delivering such messages is emotionally charged and highlights the importance of tone, timing, and setting. Simon recounts amusing childhood stories to illustrate the 'mum effect' and contrasts it with modern thoughts on honesty. He also emphasizes empathy, providing helpful tactics for softening the blow. Tune in for crucial insights on navigating tough conversations!

There is ongoing outrage in Paris, as online retailer Shein has opened its first ever permanent store today, with protests taking place in the city against it.To explain all of this, Ciara Doherty is joined by Sustainability Advocate, Pat Kane.Image: Reuters

There’s lots of discussion around left-wing and right-wing politics, but what about those voters in the middle, who don’t identify with either view? To chat about the growing popularity of left and right discourse in Irish society, Ciara Doherty is joined by Kevin Cunningham, Lecturer in Politics at TU Dublin, and Dr Graham Finlay, Assistant Professor in the School of Politics and International Relations UCD.Image: Reuters