Highlights From The Hard Shoulder

At our beaches and along our waterways you may be well familiar with the yellow boxes holding lifebuoys. What you may not be familiar with is the people across the country who ensure that each and every lifebuoy remains up to standard, and is replaced after any vandalism, which can unfortunately be a regular occurrence…Fergal Wyckham is a ring buoy inspector with Water Safety Ireland, and joins Shane to explain the work and what they encounter as part of it.

President Catherine Connolly has said recent attacks in the Middle East are “deliberate assaults on international law”.President Connolly made these remarks in a statement which marked International Women’s Day. Her comments have concerned some in Government that it might affect the Taoiseach visit to the White House for St Patrick's Day…Joining Ciara for more on this is John Lee, Group Political Editor with the Irish Daily Mail.

Housing Minister James Browne has confirmed that the Government will soon relax planning regulations to allow more people to build one-off homes in rural areas.For more on this, Shane is joined by Carol Tallon of the Property District…

“There seem to be potholes on every road and ones that were there before have grown – it’s a bit of a disaster.”Those are the words of Daniel Pender, Fianna Fáíl County Councillor & Cathaoirleach of Muinebheag, Carlow on the state of the roads following Storm Chandra.He joins Ciara to discuss, as well as Conor Faughnan, Independent Motoring Expert for Carzone.

This week, Ciara and Shane were joined by the presenter of Weekend Breakfast on Today FM, Alison Curtis and Off the Ball’s Ger Gilroy to look back on the week that was, but with a few twists…

“This International Women’s Day, I want to propose that we stop telling women they don’t look their age. We hand out this observation like it’s a medal, when it’s actually toxic.”So says Irish Independent Columnist, Mary McCarthy, who joins Ciara and Shane to discuss.

How can you tell if you have gum disease? And if you do, how can it be treated?Dentist Dr Bronagh Keane joins Shane to discuss.

Minister Peter Burke today issued a statement regarding the increased abuse retail workers have been experiencing in recent days following the increase in fuel prices. In his statement he said, “I want to make it clear that this behaviour is unacceptable, and no one should take their frustration out on any retail worker.”Have you noticed an increase in abuse?Joining Ciara to discuss this is Jim Fuery, Assistant General Secretary of Mandate.

Off The Ball Senior Producer Mick McCarthy joined Ciara and Shane on The Hard Shoulder to review the week in sport and look ahead to the weekend action…

Last night was reported to be the heaviest night of bombardments in the capital Tehran, with the Israeli Defence Forces also carrying out a wave of strikes on the Lebanese capital Beirut.Joining Shane with the latest updates is William Christou, Journalist in Beirut writing for The Guardian.

Rúaidhrí O’Connor is an Irish rugby fan who struck up a conversation with Welsh fans 50 years ago, which led to 50 years of friendship…They’re celebrating it tomorrow, and Rúaidhrí joins Shane to share his story.

A conference will take place on Saturday to discuss the Gender Recognition Act 2015 & its potential impact on Irish society.Ciara is joined by one of the speakers at the event, Helen Joyce, Author of ‘Trans: Gender Identity & The New Battle for Women’s Rights & Director of Advocacy at Sex Matters’.

Shane Lowry has been speaking about the perspective he gained from his daughter after placing second at the Cognizant Classic last week.His daughter asked "Why is everyone acting so sad that you finished second? Second is good.”So, how do you deal with coming second?Joining Shane to discuss is Enda McNulty, CEO of McNulty Performance.

A recent survey by ComReg of 3,000 Irish adults found that 57% are paying for traditional TV services, such as Sky or Virgin.The number represents a sharp decrease since 2023, when 70% were subscribing.It’s estimated that around 400,000 people have dodgy boxes across the country...is there where those subscribers are going?Larry Bass is CEO of ShinAwil, and joins Shane to discuss.

Yesterday we heard from Labour TD George Lawlor and Ann Marie Lamb, a tenant in one of the thirty six homes in Bridgetown County Wexford issued with eviction notices. Those tenants have now been told that those eviction notices have been withdrawn.Anna, Tenant at Hazelwood in Bridgetown, joins Ciara to discuss.

Sarina Bellissimo, Broadcaster and Presenter of the Bellissimo Files Podcast and John Fardy, Presenter of Screentime on Newstalk joined Ciara and Shane to review the latest TV and movie releases…

The Special Olympics Ireland Summer Games, Ireland’s largest inclusive sporting event, will take place from the 18th to the 21st of June. Over 1,200 athletes will compete across 12 sports over four days in 10 venues in Dublin.Henry McKean went to the launch at the National Indoor Arena, and sent this report.

The Government are “taking public for fools’, so says Sinn Fein’s Energy Spokesperson and TD for Kerry, Pa Daly, as a ‘targeted’ energy credit was put off the table by Government.The TD is critical of Government and the energy regulator for allowing the level of household energy debt to reach new record highs…Today Pa Daly introduced two bills that he says will tackle Ireland’s energy crisis, end price gouging, and bring down the price of energy for good.He joins Ciara to discuss.

Actor and Comedian Mike Wozniak joins Ciara and Shane for this week’s Thursday Interview!

The United States and Israel’s war with Iran is in its sixth day today. The Defence Ministry of the UAE has said it has intercepted and destroyed six ballistic missiles and over one hundred drones with some debris falling inside the country. In Lebanon, the Israeli Defence Forces has urged residents of the southern suburbs of Beirut to evacuate their homes immediately.For the latest analysis, Ciara is joined by Fawaz Gerges, Professor of International Relations at the London School of Economics and Political Science.Image: Reuters