Highlights From The Hard Shoulder

Cavan is one of four counties without a non-religious school option. Mother of two, Gabrielle Haughton, has highlighted the difficulty to get a non-denominational school in her locality, with the closest Educate Together school being over 30 minutes away…She joins Ciara to discuss.

The EU will urge members to cut their dependence on Middle Eastern jet fuel and look into increasing imports from the US in guidelines expected this week.For more on this, Shane is joined by Anita Mendiratta, Aviation and Tourism Leadership Adviser.

The past number of weeks have brought to the fore just how reliant we are here on imports for our food security, so is it time that we expand our food growing as a country and as individuals, be it in our gardens or allotments?Mick Kelly, Founder of GIY joins Shane to discuss.

For this week’s Kids Clinic, Ciara is joined by Tara Logan Buckley, Clinical Psychologist to discuss how we can help our kids be confident in expressing their opinions.

British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has been addressing the UK Parliament this afternoon concerning his appointment of Lord Mandelson as Ambassador to the United States. Mandelson was sacked by Starmer last September when further links between Mandelson and disgraced financier Jeffery Epstein emerged, but the UK PM has been coming under increased pressure since it emerged last week that Mandelson had failed security vetting…Joining Shane to discuss this is George Parker, Political Editor at the Financial Times.

Former Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar has come under fire for comments on the Path to Power podcast:"We’re the ones paying all the bills — you’re the ones in receipt of a lot of subsidies and a lot of tax benefits that other people don’t get.”But, does his argument stack up?For more on this, Ciara is joined by Michael Fitzmaurice, Independent Ireland TD & Edgar Morgenroth, Professor of Economics at Dublin City University.

Trinity College medical students will be subject to assessment on their ability to ‘love’. This is part of their training, which includes an emphasis on empathy and bedside manner. Are these things you can successfully teach?Newstalk’s Josh Crosbie has been looking into this, and joins Shane to discuss.

President Catherine Connolly is today meeting the Council of State at Áras an Uachtaráin, the first meeting of the council of office since President Connolly took office last November.The council will discuss the constitutionality of the International Protection Bill, which was passed by the Oireachtas last week.Joining Shane to discuss this is Pat Leahy, Political Editor of The Irish Times.

Iran has not committed to attending the next round of peace talks in Pakistan following a US attack on an Iranian cargo ship attempting to get past the US Naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz over the weekend. The initial two week ceasefire is due to expire tomorrow.Borzou Daragahi, Middle East Journalist and Analyst joins Ciara with the latest.Image: Reuters

Carbon tax became one of the main bones of contention during the fuel protests two weeks ago, with the Government agreeing to pause the increase in carbon tax that was due on May 1st.But, how much does the Government make from carbon tax, and how is it spent?Peadar Tóbín, Leader of Aontú and TD for the Meath West asked the government this, and found that 61% of carbon tax revenue raised or €578 million, between 2020 and 2023 was not spent on climate-action schemes…He joins Ciara to discuss.

This week, Ciara and Seán were joined by the presenter of Weekend Breakfast on Today FM, Alison Curtis and Saoirse Hanley, Columnist with the Irish Independent, to look back on the week that was, but with a few twists…

It’s Wish Week here on Newstalk! Because listeners have been so incredible and generous with their donations, Ciara Kelly has a forfeit to do: she needs to sing on Grafton Street!She braves the public and sings Madonna’s ‘Like a Prayer’ with singer Bríd McLoughlin!Also, Seán Defoe is joined in the studio by Susan McQuaid O'Dwyer, CEO of Make-A-Wish to chat about the forfeit, the donation efforts, and the impact the charity has on families…Let’s make 2026 the biggest Wish Week yet. Every cent matters. Donate online at makeawish.ie/donate.

The National Archives of Ireland (NAI) is expecting huge interest when the 1926 census records are released tomorrow, but what information will be available and how should you search?Joining Seán to discuss is Orla Mc Bride from the National Archive.

Daniel Kinahan has been arrested in Dubai. The Dubliner was arrested on foot of an Irish warrant, Gardaí and police in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) confirmed today.Joining Seán to discuss the latest updates is Paul Williams, Crime Journalist and author.

Can Seán Defoe, filling in for Shane today, guess which crying baby is his out of the four clips played?Let’s make 2026 the biggest Wish Week yet. Every cent matters. Donate online at makeawish.ie/donate.

Off The Ball’s John Duggan joined Ciara and Seán on The Hard Shoulder to review the week in sport and look ahead to the rest of the week's action…

It’s Wish Week here on Newstalk, and we are highlighting the incredible work Make-A-Wish does in helping create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses…Ciara and Seán are joined by Geradline Gavin and her son Michael Gavin, who had his wish granted by Make-A-Wish…Let’s make 2026 the biggest Wish Week yet. Every cent matters. Donate online at makeawish.ie/donate.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said he is “absolutely furious” he was not told that Lord Mandelson failed security vetting, as he now faces calls for resignation.For more on this, Ciara is joined by Adam Boulton, Political Commentator and Columnist for the i Newspaper.

The first images of late film star Val Kilmer returning to the big screen through the use of AI were unveiled in Las Vegas this week. Kilmer appears as a priest in the trailer for ‘As Deep as the Grave’, while we may have the technology to bring back actors you have passed to the big screen, should we?Joining Seán Defoe to discuss this is Brian Lloyd,  Film Critic and host of the podcast Screenland.Image: First Line Films

The new Cork Luas route was unveiled today with 27 stops, with the proposed route running from Ballincollig to Mahon Point. The publication of the 20km light rail route marks the start of a new round of non-statutory public consultation, which will continue until Friday, June 12.Joining Ciara to discuss this is Brian Caulfield, Professor of Engineering at Trinity College Dublin and Peter Horgan, Labour Councillor for Cork City.Image: National Transport Authority