Highlights From The Hard Shoulder

A suggestion made first on social media that all urban golf courses should be relocated and the land used to allow for housing and the development of public space. Paddy Smyth Former Fine Gael Dublin City Councillor and Gary Murphy Former European Tour golfer joined Kieran to debate if moving golf courses outside of cities would be a better use of public space.

Sarina Bellissimo, Presenter of The Bellissimo Files on Spin 103.8, joined Kieran to take a look back at some of the best Pixar movies to mark their latest release "Lightyear."

Earlier this week on The Hard Shoulder, Kieran discussed the stigma that surrounds obesity, how it can stop people from getting the healthcare they need, and even stop them progressing in life as they should. Bernadette Keenan, patient advocate and member of Irish Coalition of People Living with Obesity, joined Kieran to discuss how she has dealt with stigma and the assumptions that are made about people living with obesity.

A Joint Oireachtas Committee on Tourism met today to discuss the rising cost of tourist accommodation. Denyse Campbell, President of the Irish Hotels Federation, Anthony Gray and Owner of Eala Bhán Restaurant in Sligo and Chairman of Sligo Tourism joined Kieran to discuss what these prices mean for the future of tourism.

Tomorrow marks the centenary of James Joyce’s Ulysses There will be readings, performances and exhibitions taking place across the city today to mark the occasion and the legacy of the book. Katherine Lynch, actress, comedian and singer and grandniece of Bloomsday founder, Patrick Kavanagh joined Kieran to share her enthusiasm for the festival.

According to a new AA survey, fuel prices are continually rising with the cost of fuel increasing by €11 in just two weeks, Michael Healy-Rae, Independent TD and Gerry Loftus, Leader of The Rural Ireland Organisation joined Kieran to discuss the impacts of such high costs on rural communities.

The EU has resumed legal action against the UK following the publication of the bill that would overturn the Northern Ireland Protocol. David O’Sullivan, the former Secretary General of the European Commission and Head of the EU’s Foreign Service, joined Kieran and Deputy Editor of The Newsletter Ben Lowry, to discuss their reaction to the on going situation.

Opinions have come from everywhere today about whether or not President Michael D Higgins should have spoken out about the current housing crisis. Everyone is however, unified in the belief that the situation needs to be addressed urgently. Bill Clear Social Democrats Kildare Councilor and Lorcan Sirr DIT Housing Professor joined Kieran to discuss what is preventing us from making real changes in the housing market.

According to a new survey Galway and Cork are Ireland’s top destinations for people who have relocated due to remote working. Kenny Deery, CEO of Galway Chamber joined Kieran to discuss why he thinks the Galway way of life is so appealing.

New research out from the University of Cambridge suggests that we should all be aiming for exactly seven hours’ sleep, from our thirties to old age. Barbara Sahakian, Professor of Clinical Neuropsychology at the University of Cambridge joined Kieran to explain the science behind a good nights sleep.

According to a report in the Sunday Times, Polish immigrants are leaving Ireland in thousands over the past three years. Once the biggest minority group attracted by an open labor market and better salaries than in their native country are now moving back home, where economy is booming. Anna Sochanska Ambassador of Poland in Ireland, joined Kieran and Lukasz Kozlowski, Polish national, who recently left Ireland back to Poland, to discuss the reasons why people are leaving in such high numbers.

President Michael D Higgins has called Irelands housing crisis as a “disaster” and “a great, great failure." The President was opening a new housing service for young adults in Kildare when he spoke about the ongoing housing crisis. Fergus Finley Columinst with the Irish Examiner, and Shane Coleman Newstalk Breakfast presenter, joined Kieran to debate if his comments overstepped his presidential position.

It is 5 Years to the day since the tragic scenes at Grenfell Tower in North Kensington, West London, where a high-rise fire broke out in the 24-storey block of flats. The fire claimed the lives of 72 people and left a lasting impact on the community. Kieran was joined by Grenfell Tower survivor, Tiago Alves , and Yvette Williams MBE Justice 4 Grenfell Campaigner, to look back at the tragedy and the ongoing fight for justice.

A doctor has raised a question in The Irish Times about the words we use when it comes to obesity and if they can create a stigma. Helen Heneghan, Consultant Surgeon at St Vincent’s Hospital and spokesperson for The Irish Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism and Tara Logan Buckley, who is a clinical psychologist, who specialises in the area of obesity, joined Kieran to discuss if the words we use when it comes to weight can have a negative consequence.

The Government has announced plans to replace the current minimum wage with a new 'living wage'. Starting next year, it will be phased over the next four years, until it matches to the Living Wage of 2026. The living wage will be set at 60% of the median wage in any given year which, in 2022, would be €12.17 an hour. Kieran was joined by Robert Thornton Member of the Living Wage Technical Group and Senior Research and Policy Officer at the Vincentian Partnership for Social Justice and Neil McDonnell Chief Executive of ISME, to discuss if this is enough to combat the rising cost of living.

MMA star Conor McGregor is never far from the headlines and last week it was reported he has purchased a pub in Howth. He is already actively involved in the hospitality sector and Newstalks deputy business editor Gavin McLoughlin joined Kieran to discuss this various business ventures.

On last weeks show we discussed calls for a Lisbon style food food market in the city of Dublin. The Hard Shoulder received a statement from TimeOut, in which their Co-CEO has apologised for not coming to Dublin yet, saying it would be ‘a great city’ to have one. Independent Councillor, and former Lord Mayor of Dublin, Christy Burke joined Kieran to discuss why Dublin has yet to see one and what a food market could mean for the city.

Junior Doctors in Ireland have voted overwhelming for strike action. Over 97% of them voted for it because they say they work long hours with deteriorating working conditions. John Cannon Chair of the NCHD Committee joins Kieran to discuss what can be done to turn the situation around.

Boris Johnson has said he wants to change the Protocol section of the Brexit deal to make it easier for some goods to move between Britain and Northern Ireland. The EU has said it would break international law. Kieran was joined by Stephen Kelly Chief Executive of Manufacturing Northern Ireland and Tina McKenzie, CEO of Staffline Recruitment and Chairperson for Policy for the Federation of Small Business in the UK about how much difficulty the protocol is causing trade in the local area.

Last week the CSO confirmed that inflation had reached a 38-year high, rising inflation and the cost-of-living crisis are making it difficult for families to survive in Ireland. Kieran was joined by Sinn Fein Spokesperson on Workers’ Rights, Enterprise, Trade, and Employment, Louise O’Reilly, Kevin Mcpartlan, CEO of fuels for Ireland, Dr Karina Doorly, Research Area and Coordinator for the Tax, Welfare, and Pensions team at ESRI and Tracy Hayde, a single mother of one now to discuss what can be done to ease the financial burden people are facing.