The Hard Shoulder

The Irish brand  SOSU Cosmetics has withdrawn one of its products from sale as a precautionary measure after it was found to contain elevated levels of arsenic.Do influencers truly know what ingredients are in their products and how should we educate ourselves as consumers when buying skincare or makeup products?Joining Ciara Doherty to discuss  is Dr. Isabel Haugh, Consultant Dermatologist at Dr. Haugh Dermatology & Aesthetics.

For this week’s Tech Takeover, Jess Kelly, Newstalk’s Technology Correspondent joins Ciara Doherty to discuss why the Chinese government wants influencers in their country to hold degrees in the topics they are talking about, like health or finance.

The Department of Agriculture has announced a compulsory housing order from next Monday for poultry and captive birds, following recent bird flu outbreaks.How will this affect things like the Christmas turkey?News Editor of The Irish Farmers Journal, Amy Forde, joins Ciara Doherty.

Today, People Before Profit TD Richard Boyd Barrett was welcomed back into the Dáil after recovering from throat cancer.He took the opportunity to call for cancer services to be properly resourced and supported in his first speech back.Richard joins Ciara Doherty in the studio to discuss.

Broadcaster and Author, Iain Dale, joins Ciara Doherty to discuss the latest book he’s edited: ‘The Taoiseach: A Century of Political Leadership’.

Learner drivers who have had a car permit for four years will have to take a driving test before renewing their permit, closing an 11-year loophole.Geraldine Herbert is Motoring Editor and Columnist with the Sunday Independent. She joins Ciara Doherty to explain more.

Preparations for COP30 are underway, with Taoiseach Micheál Martin being one of the world leaders who will be attending.Newstalk Reporter Jessica Woodlock is over there, and joins Ciara to discuss what we can expect. Also joining to discuss is John Sweeney, Emeritus Professor in the Irish Climate Analysis and Research Units at the Department of Geography at Maynooth University.Image: COP30

The Government is aiming to introduce a digital wallet that would hold people’s life milestones for easy access. This could include documents such as a birth certificate or deeds to your home.Newstalk’s Henry McKean has been out asking the public for their thoughts…To chat a bit more about this plan, Ciara Doherty is joined by Eoin Keary, Founder of Edgescan, and Fine Gael MEP Regina Doherty.

A problem that many people face: how do you pick the right shoes for you? And what are the risks if you get the wrong pair?To discuss, Seán Defoe is joined by Footwear Expert, Liam Hughes.

Fionn Davenport, a seasoned travel writer and Lonely Planet author, delves into the World’s 50 Best Hotels list for 2025. He highlights the significance of the list, likening it to the Oscars for hotels. Asia's dominance is discussed, as Fionn breaks down top contenders like the historic Raffles Singapore and the luxurious Passa La Cua on Lake Como. He also examines the exquisite Capella Bangkok and the acclaimed Rosewood Hong Kong, which snagged the top spot. Fionn critiques the ranking process, sharing personal hotel experiences and notable omissions in the list.