Lunchtime Live

For this week’s Ask Me Anything, Joanne Byrne, Director of Presence Plus PR joins guest host Clare McKenna to answer any of your questions about public relations, and being a celebrity agent!

Should we stop giving money as a gift to newlyweds? Cash is one of the most popular wedding gifts, but some may argue that getting married is a decision, not an achievement. What do you think about giving cash as a gift? Joining guest host Clare McKenna to discuss is Sinead Ryan, Presenter of the Home show on Newstalk, Wedding planner Lyndsey Moynagh and listeners.

Yesterday, Newstalk’s Caoimhe Harney, whose father spent more than 24 hours waiting in A&E before being seen by a doctor, joined to speak with Andrea. Following her story, many listeners got in touch to share their own experiences of a healthcare system that, at times, is struggling to meet patients’ needs… Today, guest host Clare McKenna is joined by some of those listeners to hear their stor...

Breakfast Briefing Presenter Shane Beatty joined guest host Clare McKenna with a roundup of some of the stories from across the country this week.

Are you renting, but want to spruce up your home? This week, the Home Squad are here to discuss rental refreshes without annoying your landlord! Joining Andrea to discuss is Jenny Sheehan, Co-Host of ‘Rip it up: The Renovations Podcast’ (@workerscottage on Instagram) and Jenny Butler, Interior Architect & Designer and Director of Jennifer Anne Interior.

GAA fans from Kerry, Kildare, Donegal, Cork, Dublin and Cavan are not happy because they will not be able to watch the Championship matches on TV or on GAA+ next weekend… So, why is this the case? Joining Andrea to discuss is Tommy Rooney, Gaelic Games Correspondent with Off the Ball, as well as listeners.

Tánaiste and Minister for Finance Simon Harris is expected to approve proposals aimed at strengthening access to cash, building on rules introduced last year that set minimum standards for ATM and cash service provision. Under the measures, the public will be able to raise concerns directly with the Central Bank if they experience difficulties accessing cash in their area. So, should cash be more...

One of the oldest clichés in the book is that men prefer things and women prefer people, well researchers have just proved that may be true! But what do you think, is this the main difference between men and women? Joining Andrea to discuss is Dr Brendan O’Shea, Kildare GP, and Assistant Adjunct Professor in General Practice In Trinity College, Comedian Julie Jay, Comedian Claire Roche, and Editor...

We’ve decided to do a deep dive on some of our favourite albums and artists to explore the stories behind them. What did artists really think of each other? Where did the inspirations from the songs come from? Joining Andrea to discuss is Today FM Presenter Clodagh Lawlor, who’s going to talk through the life and work of Luke Combs!

Newstalk’s Caoimhe Harney had a recent experience where her dad had to go to A&E. Unfortunately, the quality of service was very poor… Have you had a recent negative experience with A&E? She joins Andrea, as well as Stephen McMahon from the Irish Patients' Association, to discuss.

Minister for Children, Norma Foley, is today set to introduce a new maximum fee cap for childcare providers that receive State funding. The move comes amid growing concern over the high cost of childcare, with many parents facing significant financial pressure and others unable to afford childcare services altogether. The proposed cap aims to help make childcare more accessible and affordable for...

Lunchtime Live's Reasons to be Happy looks at some of the news stories that you might have missed that will leave you feeling more optimistic. 98FM’s Cathal O’Sullivan joined Andrea in the studio to put a smile on your faces…

The Government has launched a new €8,500 scrappage scheme for electric vehicles. Its aim is to incentivize the owners of older, more polluting diesel and petrol internal combustion engine vehicles to scrap them and apply the scrappage value to the purchase of a battery electric vehicle. It will be ringfenced for people living outside the major cities of Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford...

Every Wednesday afternoon, we’ll be talking Making Babies. Andrea will be joined by Professor Shane Higgins, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, to cover every area of trying to have a baby. From the very start of knowing how to prepare, right up to pregnancy – and all the bumps in the road in between. This week, Shane joins Andrea to discuss dealing with pelvic girdle pain!

We are just after the June bank holiday weekend and a very busy weekend, especially in Dublin. But after it, do we really need the bank holiday weekends? The number of accidents go up, price hikes from hotels and there’s traffic everywhere. On the other hand, it’s an extra day off work, time out with friends and family and it breaks up the monotony. Joining Andrea to discuss this is Accountant Joe...

Lunchtime Live Producer Niamh is off this week, and is supposed to be kicking back and relaxing in sunny Portugal, but things have not gone to plan… Niamh joins Andrea, as well as Consumer Expert & Presenter of the Home Show Sinead Ryan and listeners to discuss.

For this week’s Ask the Expert, Andrea is joined by Editor of Travel Extra Eoghan Corry to answer any of your travel questions!

Whether you support football or you don't, there is no doubt that you have seen an increase in the number of football jerseys. With artists such as CMAT, Fontaines D.C. and Oasis all releasing their own version of them, it's hard to escape. But why are they the ‘it’ piece? Joining Andrea to discuss is Fashion Broadcaster & Stylist Emily O’Donnell, author & Journalist Aoife Moore and David...

Andrea’s guest came to her attention through a social media video that struck a chord with many people. In it, he spoke about the difficulties of finding accommodation in Dublin for his 82-year-old father… Gordon Hickey, known online as @Do. Dublin. Better, shared the video with his dad, detailing their ongoing struggle to find suitable housing that would allow him to live closer to his family. Go...

The CSO vital statistics regarding births, deaths and marriages were released today at 11am. These stats give us an insight into trends within the country. Joining Andrea to look at the numbers is Statistician Sean O’Connor, Celebrant and Broadcaster Ruth Scott and Editor of One Fab Day, Ciara Elliot.

Katie Gallagher, Spin News Anchor, has her finger on the pulse for what’s happening and she joins Anna Daly with the things you don’t want to miss this week! Image: ITV2

A young man in his 20s was attacked and murdered in the early hours of Monday morning after he attended a gig at a venue in Grafton Street… Qayyum Balogun was treated at the scene before he was later pronounced dead at St Vincent's Hospital. What does this say about our capital city? Is it safe, or do we need more Garda presence and stricter punishments to prevent crime in future? Joining Andrea t...

For this week’s Ask Me Anything, Alex Conyngham from Slane Castle joins Andrea to answer any of your questions about the venue.

Singer-Songwriter CMAT has posted a very honest piece online about her “deep sadness” over being body-shamed after BBC Radio 1 Big Weekend performance. Does more need to be done about online abuse? Joining Andrea to discuss is Melanie Finn, Entertainment Correspondent for the Irish Independent.

There were jubilant and emotional scenes yesterday as Jordan and Cian Adams completed their thirty third and final marathon in a bid to raise awareness and vital funds for dementia. Jordan undertook the incredible challenge to run 33 marathons in 33 days in every county in Ireland to pay tribute to the 12 family members he lost to dementia. The boys lost their own mother, Geraldine, to frontotempo...