Council housing tenants could see their rent taken directly from their social welfare payments under new plans. It is one of a number of considerations by a Working Group which is aiming to introduce a standardised national differential rents system. Newstalk reporter Josh Crosbie has been taking a look at this proposal and speaking with people on both sides of the debate.

Highlights from The Hard Shoulder

Reaction To Proposed Deduction Of Rent From Social Welfare

Annette Hickey, a solicitor specialising in surrogacy joined Kieran to discuss how big an issue Russia invading Ukraine would be for Irish couples with a surrogate in Ukraine...

"There's one objective and it's those babies" - Irish families using surrogacy services in Ukraine

Olympics nut Barry Kenny takes Kieran through all you need to know about alpine skiing...

Barry Kenny's Winter Olympics Bluffer's Guide to...Alpine Skiing

Retired 4 Star General and former vice Chief of the US Army Jack Keane joined Kieran to discuss the possibility of Russia invading Ukraine...

Retired US 4 Star General: "He'll never defeat the Ukranian people...they will fight him!"

Kieran was joined on The Hard Shoulder by Dr Brian Higgins, a Galway based GP and Councillor Una Power, who was struggling to find a GP for her 3 month old son...

General practice "slightly neglected" - Galway doctor on shortage of GPs

“It’s a difficult thing to have to say, but recognising a problem is the first step in solving it. Our capital city at night is a dangerous place, where you feel deeply concerned about your personal safety. Walk from the Spire to Stephen’s Green at 10.00pm and see for yourself.” Those were the words of Ciaran Cannon TD, Galway East after he walked through the city, he posted that on Twitter. We asked Henry McKean to follow his route.

"I don't feel safe in Dublin."

Russia is seemingly getting more troops ready near Ukraine, with many worried that an invasion could be on the way.   It’s the latest episode in the escalation of tensions between the two countries.   Cormac Smith is a former advisor to Ukraine's foreign minister from 2016 to 2018 and he gave Kieran an assessment of the situation

'There is a serious fear that an invasion could happen' - Former advisor to Ukraine's foreign minister

Former international Keith Wood joined Kieran to preview Ireland v France...

Keith Wood previews Ireland v France: "Going to be as exciting as it gets!"

Kieran was joined by Ciarán Gannon TD, Presenter of Newstalk Breakfast, Shane Coleman and Charlotte Bradshaw, managing director of Dublin Bradshaw to discuss safety in Dublin City at night...

"Groups looking for confrontation and license to react" - Fine Gael TD on safety in Dublin at night

Olympics nut Barry Kenny takes us through all you need to know about ski jumping...

Barry Kenny's Winter Olympics Bluffer's Guide to...Ski Jumping

Kieran was joined by Canon Frank Duhig, local parish priest in Newcastle West, and Monsignor Dan Neenan of Holy Trinity Abbey Church in Adare...

"Everybody is touched by what has happened" - Community shaken after death of young boy

Kieran was joined by Dr Aoibhinn Ni Shuillebheáin, the Director of Maths & Science Teacher Education at the UCD College of Science to celebrate International Day of Women and Girls in Science...

"More work needs to be done" - Aoibhinn Ní Shuillebheáin on women in STEM

Kieran was joined by LEGO superfan Kolyn Ryan-Byrne, as well as TodayFM’s Weekend Breakfast presenter Alison Curtis...

Fans react as Ireland gets its first LEGO store

Listeners may have seen the latest Netflix true crime documentary that has left viewers shocked, as the con artist known as “The Tinder Swindler” cheats women out of a reported total of $10 million. Pernilla Sjoholm was one of the women who took part in the documentary, and she spoke to Kieran about her ordeal on Thursday's edition of The Hard Shoulder.

Pernilla Sjoholm on being conned by 'The Tinder Swindler'

Pearse Doherty, Sinn Fein’s Finance Spokesperson joined Kieran to discuss the Government's new cost of living package...

Cost of living package "out of touch" - Sinn Fein's Pearse Doherty

Highlights from Ivan Yates on The Hard Shoulder

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Highlights from The Hard Shoulder

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