As Ireland gets ready to enter level 5 and cases across Europe continue to rise Dr. David Nabarro, World Health Organization's special envoy on Covid-19 and professor of global health at Imperial College London joined Kieran to give his thought on the new restrictions.

Highlights from The Hard Shoulder

Dr. David Nabarro "I've been misquoted a bit around the place."

The banking industry has today said it will continue to support customers through to the end of the Covid-19 pandemic,the industry though has stopped short of offering further blanket loan repayment breaks. Brian Hayes, CEO of the Banking and Payments Federation of Ireland and David Hall, CEO of the Irish Mortgage Holders Organisation joined Kieran to discuss this decision. 

"I should not have let myself get into that position."

With reports that Cabinet is deciding whether or not to move the entire country to Level 5, Kieran was joined by Marc MacSharry, Fianna Fail TD for Sligo-Leitrim, and Roisin Shortall, Co-Leader of the Social Democrats. They debated the government's decision making so far, how the economy can survive, impact on businesses and the country's mental health.  

"Our nation's mental health has been totally eroded"

As the country gets ready to face further restrictions Ann Piggot President of the ASTI joined Kieran to discuss concerns about the risk facing teachers if they are asked to continue to work during a country wide move to level 5. 

"Why are their lives not valued as much as others?"

Fine Gael Senator Regina Doherty joined Kieran to give her reaction to suggestions the country could moving into level 5 for the next six week.

"We are going to be in serious trouble if people don't start to take responsibility!"

With reports that Ireland may be moved to Level 5, Kieran spoke to Phil NíSheaghdha, General Secretary of the INMO. She highlighted the concerning numbers in hospital and ICU, with a confirmed Covid case in almost all ICU wards in the country. She also spoke about why there's 200 fewer nurses working in the HSE since the start of the pandemic.

Fewer nurses now than at the start of the pandemic

As Cabinet discuss proposals to move the whole country to level 5 for six weeks Sinn Féin President Mary Lou joined Kieran to give her reaction to the new restrictions.

"What is absolutely predictable is the ability of this virus to transmit."

We’re charting the Path to Power from the Primaries to Pennsylvania Avenue here on the Hard Shoulder. Who will have been elected US President in November? This week our resident comedian Jim Elliott take us through Trump's covid cough, Dr. Anthony Fauci role in Trump's campaign and  Judge Amy Barrett heading for the Supreme Court.

The Path to Power: Episode Five - Trump's Covid Recovery and Judge Amy Barrett heads for the Supreme Court

It’s one year since a hotel in Abbeyleix became a permanent Direct Provision Centre. Originally, the Hibernian Hotel was being used as a temporary centre, but it became a permanent centre last year. There’s forty eight people in the centre, including 26 children. The big change is that the centre is now self-catering and there's a food hall, so residents can cook for themselves. There’s also many nationalities living in the centre; people from Zambia, Nigeria, South Africa, Georgia, Albania, Lesotho, Togo, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Guatamala and El Salvador. Our reporter Barry Whyte has been finding out how the residents of the Direct Provision centre have been made feel welcome in Abbeyleix....

"The Asylum Seekers in Abbeyleix are now part of our community"

The second series of Finding Joy is back on our screens. Amy Huberman joined Kieran to talk about completing filming just before lockdown, the hit her industry has taken during the pandemic and what the second season of the show means to her now. It airs on Saturday on RTÉ One at 9.15pm.

Amy Huberman on Finding Joy in lockdown

After a second letter from Dr Tony Holohan to the Minister for Health was leaked, the cabinet sub committee is to discuss his recommendation to move to Level 5. NPHET has said this escalation to Level 5 should last for six weeks. Kieran spoke to Alan Farrell, Fine Gael TD for Dublin Fingal, who argues that the plan wasn't designed for skipping levels and thinks progressing to Level 5 now isn't necessary. He also spoke to Prof Edgar Morgenroth of DCU's Business School who raised concerns about the published evidence for such a recommendation, citing the concerning implications of such a move for the country.

Should the nation be moved directly to Level 5?

As the weather is due to improve this weekend, but restrictions may mean you can't go too far, The Novel Traveller, Michelle Jackson, joined Kieran on Friday's edition of The Hard Shoulder to tell you where you should visit in your county. To get a list of all Michelle's suggestions, just visit - http://thenoveltraveller.com/travel-your-own-county-on-newstalks-the-hard-shoulder/.

Where to travel in your own county

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said it's time to "get ready" for the prospect of no free trade deal with the EU on 1 January. He claimed Brussels had "abandoned" the ambition. However he has insisted that it was always known that there would be changes next year once the transition period ends - and that was with whatever the relationship with the EU ended up being. Former Conservative MP and columnist with The Times Matthew Parris joined Kieran on Friday's edition of The Hard Shoulder to tell him what he thinks might happen next.

"It's all just posturing..."

As GAA looks set to return this weekend, former Kerry footballers Marc O'Se and Darran O'Sullivan, as well as former Mayo footballer David Brady joined Kieran on Friday's edition of The Hard Shoulder to debate whether the games should go ahead.

Should GAA matches go ahead this weekend?

It's 20 years since Sonia O'Sullivan took silver for Ireland at the Sydney Olympics in 2000. On our Thursday Interview Kieran speaks to her about that experience, how she still calls Cobh home and how nowadays in athletics there can be more of an emphasis on taking part rather than winning.

The Thursday Interview: Sonia O'Sullivan

Highlights from Ivan Yates on The Hard Shoulder

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Highlights from The Hard Shoulder

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