Publisher's Summary

The Hard Shoulder Podcast with Ciara Kelly and Shane Colman is your essential drivetime companion—bringing fresh perspective and energy to your drive home.

CONVERSATION THAT COUNTS | Ireland’s national independent talk station for news, sport, analysis and entertainment

Listen to Newstalk at http://newstalk.com/listenlive | Download the GoLoud app now, the new home for Newstalk
The Hard Shoulder Highlights
Episodes
  • Do we need to get rid of character references in sexual offence cases?

    Do we need to get rid of character references in sexual offence cases?
    Apr 27 2026

    Former Fianna Fáil TD Jim Glennon has confirmed that he submitted a character reference for Daniel Ramamoorthy, a former Government Adviser who was convicted of the sexual exploitation of a 13-year-old boy in 2017.

    This raises the question: should character references be abolished in sexual offence cases?

    Joining Shane to discuss this is Barrister Katherine McGillicuddy.
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    7 mins
  • The history of the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center

    The history of the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center
    Apr 27 2026

    The Hard Shoulder is in the US all week thanks to Ireland Gateway to Europe, and for the next few days the show is broadcasting in Washington D.C. Specifically, in the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, which is the largest structure (3.1 million square feet) in Washington, D.C.

    It’s the first and only federal building dedicated to both government and private use.

    Joining Shane to discuss its history is Maureen Pace, President of World Trade Centre Dublin and Vice President of the Drew Company and John P.Drew, President of the Drew Company - an innovative, Boston-based real estate management and development company and operator of this building.
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    11 mins
  • Should the USC be abolished?

    Should the USC be abolished?
    Apr 27 2026

    Fianna Fáil’s Junior Minister Christopher O’Sullivan has said that the Government will "look at" lowering the rate of the Universal Social Charge on a phased basis over the forthcoming budgets.

    But, should it be abolished all together?

    For more on this, Shane is joined by Cormac Lucey, Economics Columnist with The Sunday Times .
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    9 mins
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