The Hard Shoulder

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  Why are campaigners angry about new public transport fares? 21.09.2026 5นาที

  New NTA report shows more people than ever before getting out of their cars and using public transport, with last year having the fewest number of cars ever entering Dublin city outside of the Covid years. This has led many campaigners to urge the Government to reconsider the fare hike, arguing that Dublin will become more congested under these changes.  Lochlann Gallagher, Public Relations Officer for the Dublin Commuter Coalition joined us on the show to discuss.
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  US Media Outlets to sue White House 21.09.2026 7นาที

  Media outlets in the US have notified the Trump Administration that they intend to sue over a ban preventing their reporters from accessing the White House grounds.  CNN, Politico and MS NOW were barred from the White House on Friday after President Donald Trump accused the outlets of repeatedly reporting what he described as “fake news.” White House columnist with The Hill, Niall Stanage joined us on the show with the latest.
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  Do we need to reform how we carry out rape trials? 21.09.2026 7นาที

  The British Government have announced that they’re introducing new specialist courts for rape cases to try “rebalance the scales of justice and put victims first.” The new plans will see court staff get special training, victims having a direct point-of-contact with the court, and a fixed trial date rather than it being placed on a rolling list.Rachel Morrogh, the CEO of the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre joined us on the show.
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  Kids Clinic: What to do if your child feels left out 21.09.2026 8นาที

  For this week’s Kids Clinic, Shane was joined by Clinical Psychologist, Dr Anne Keogh to discuss what to do if your child feels left out.
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  Increase to Rent Tax Credit mooted in October’s Budget 21.09.2026 9นาที

  The Taoiseach has said October’s Budget will include an increase to the Rent Tax Credit, adding that the measure, which was introduced in 2022, has been positive for renters. With an increase on the cards, will the measure work, and is it welcomed? Conor Sheehan, Labour TD for Limerick City and the party’s spokesperson on housing. 
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  Why we get the ick from PDA 21.09.2026 6นาที

  The awkward feeling of watching the couple who are guilty of a bit too much PDA (public displays of affection) can cause not only you to feel uncomfortable, but also resentment, but how can you address it with your loved-up friends?  Ciara was joined by Frances Kelleher, Relationship Expert and Life Coach to discuss…
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  Changes on the way for the Hot School Meals Programme 21.09.2026 7นาที

  Changes are on the way to the Hot School Meals Programme, with the Minister in charge, Dara Calleary has indicted that changes are needed. It comes after two Government-commissioned reviews identified shortcomings in the programme, including concerns around nutritional standards and portion sizes. Ray Nagle, CEO of Fresh Today and The Lunch Bag, two suppliers to the programme joined Shane on the show to discuss…
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  (Spoilers!) The latest banished Traitor 21.09.2026 10นาที

  (Spoilers for last night’s episode of The Traitors Ireland ahead! You have been warned!)Joining Ciara and Shane to discuss his experience on The Traitors is banished Faithful Ian…
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  Irish athletes sign open letter calling on Irish soccer team to boycott Israel fixtures 21.09.2026 14นาที

  More than 160 Irish athletes have signed an open letter to the Irish soccer team, calling on them to boycott the upcoming UEFA Nations League fixtures with Israel. With fixtures set for September 27 and October 4, which are being contested in neutral countries of Hungary and Serbia.  Former Dublin Senior Footballer Philly McMahon who signed the open letter to the Irish soccer team joined Shane on the show to discuss...  
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  Winners and Sinners 18.09.2026 27นาที

  This week, Ciara and Shane were joined by Off the Ball’s Cameron Hill and Freelance Journalist Niamh O’Reilly, to look back on the week that was, but with a few twists... 
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  Special Olympics Collection Day - Henry McKean Reports 18.09.2026 6นาที

  Special Olympics Collection Day, creates life-changing opportunities for athletes with intellectual disabilitiesOver a thousand athletes took part in the Ireland Summer Games in June.Newstalk Reporter Henry McKean went out and met athletes and bucket collectors on the street.
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  Russia holds first parliamentary elections since their invasion of Ukraine 18.09.2026 4นาที

  Russia is holding its first parliamentary elections since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine more than four years ago. They come after plummeting approval ratings for Vladimir Putin, mounting casualties on the front lines, and very little territorial gain in their war. Shane and Ciara were joined by Defence Expert at the University of Bath and former NATO analyst Patrick Bury.  
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  How do Ireland's newest citizens feel about the incoming legislation? 18.09.2026 6นาที

  Tighter citizenship rules may come into effect before the year's end, according to Minister of State with responsibility for Migration, Colm Brophy.  So how do Ireland's newest citizens feel about the incoming legislation? Newstalk’s Sarah Madden reports.  
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  Sport with John Duggan: FAI Chief Executive says Ireland will play Israel 18.09.2026 8นาที

  Off The Ball’s John Duggan joined Shane and Ciara on The Hard Shoulder to review the week in sport and look ahead to the week’s action… 
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  Taoiseach Micheál Martin met with British Prime Minister Andy Burnham 18.09.2026 5นาที

  Taoiseach Micheál Martin met with British Prime Minister Andy Burnham in Manchester where the pair discussed ties between the UK and the European Union. The Taoiseach was the first first world leader to be hosted at Number 10 North.Journalist and Broadcaster Vincent McAvinney joined Ciara to discuss the meeting.
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  An Coimisiún Pleanála refuses planning permission for data centre in Mayo 18.09.2026 10นาที

  Plans for data centre in Killala Co Mayo have been overturned by An Coimisiún Pleanála.  This decision was made partly because the operator was found to have failed to show there is “existing capacity” in the electricity grid to handle the added pressure of the system.   Colin Doyle is a Retired Scientist, and he lodged the appeal about the data centre, he joined Shane to discuss.  
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  Are Gen Z boring? 18.09.2026 10นาที

  From the death of the casual weeknight drinks to ditching the club for a run club are people in their 20s taking themselves too seriously?    Ciara and Shane were joined by Newstalk's own, Meghan O' Halloran and Freelance Journalist, Édaein O’Connell, to see if there is any craic left in Gen Z.  
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  Patrick Clancy to give first interview after Lindsay Clancy's mistrial 18.09.2026 8นาที

  Patrick Clancy will give his first television interview following the mistrial of his former wife, Lindsay Clancy, in the deaths of their three children on CBS's 60 minutes. CBS have said that in the interview Patrick speaks of his grief, memories of his three children and the unsupported conspiracy theories that spread online after Lindsay’s trial.  Sky News US Correspondent, David Blevins, joined Shane to discuss.  
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  Do workplaces targets take priority over employee's wellbeing? 18.09.2026 12นาที

  More than half of Irish employees say hitting workplace targets takes priority over their wellbeing.  The findings come from Vhi’s latest Workplace Health Insights research, Making Wellbeing Work. But do people sacrifice their wellbeing for their workplace? Ciara and Shane were joined by Louisa Meehan from Woodview HRM - HR and Dispute Resolution expert to discuss. 
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  What are the economics behind rising concert ticket prices? 17.09.2026 12นาที

  If you want to see Oasis at Slane next summer, you are looking at spending a serious amount of money for the ticket, with prices ranging from €181.25 to €501.25 for the much-anticipated Slane gigs, which go on sale next week.Oasis are certainly not alone, concert ticket prices have been rising quite rapidly in recent times, with fans increasingly questioning why it costs so much to see the biggest names in music.Joining Shane to look at the economics behind the price of a concert ticket is Economist & Presenter of Taking Stock, Susan Hayes Culleton.