Lunchtime Live

This week is Fertility Awareness Week. The World Health Organisation estimates that approximately 1 in 6 worldwide – experience infertility. But is there a stigma around talking about it? Andrea was joined by Sorcha, Nicola and Graham Coull, Scientific Director for Sims IVF to discuss…

New steel poles have been erected along Wickham Street in Limerick – with seemingly the only purpose being to hang flower baskets. It was an issue highlighted by Limerick Councillor Elisa O’Donovan, and it caused a big reaction online – with many people saying that the steel poles amount to street clutter. Do we have an issue with street clutter in our towns and cities in Ireland? Andrea was joine...

Europe is expected to hit even higher record tempterature today and the rest of this week. Parts of Spain went over 44 degrees yesterday, and some tourist spots in Greece have been evacuated because of wild fires. While Ireland has been experiencing extreme rain and stormy conditions. Health authorities have sounded alarms from North America to Europe and Asia, urging people to stay hydrated and s...

Last week Helen McEntee proposed that a person who provides a character reference for someone convicted of a sexual offence can be cross examined in court. This is part of the amendments to the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Human Trafficking) Bill 2023. Andrea was joined by Noeline Blackwell, CEO of the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre, Mary Crilly, founder of the Sexual Violence Centre Cork and Safe...

The 2023 Women's World Cup kicks off in Australia and New Zealand in just three days' time. Around 4,000 fans from Ireland are travelling to the tournament to support the Girls in Green. In the run up to the first match, against the host country this Thursday, Andrea was joined by some of the people who have helped train and grow the key members of the Irish Women’s World Cup Team. Andrea was join...

Youghal Greyhound Track is attracting an average attendance of just three members of the public at its twice-weekly meets. Is the interest in Greyhound racing dwindling? Should they still be receiving the same level of funding? Andrea was joined on Lunchtime Live by Nuala Donlon from Greyhound Action Ireland, David, Tony, Michael and more listeners to discuss...

What is the experience of being black and Irish? And how does it differ from the white experience? A Town Hall organised by Black & Irish tomorrow aims to hear from people about their lived experience, and talk about the changes needed in Ireland to better the black experience. Andrea was joined by Briana Fitzsimons, Managing Director of Black & Irish, Leon Diop, Founder of the Black & Irish and L...

Our summer memories series returns where we chat with some well-known faces and reminisce over those long summer days!  98fm Presenter Brian Dowling joined Andrea in studio...

The latest report from the Environmental Protection Agency has revealed that transport emissions have risen by 6% in one year. What can we do to stop our high emissions? Andrea was joined by Brian Cooke, Director General at SIMI - Society of the Irish Motor Industry, John Gibbons, Environmental Journalist and listeners to discuss…

On Monday Andrea spoke to Sandra Byrnes, foster-mum of Wassiou who died earlier this summer. And yesterday Andrea spoke to Magda, whose son was attacked in Bushy Park last week. In both cases, the incidents surrounding their sons were filmed and shared on social media - much to the heartbreak of the families. What are the laws around this? Is enough being done to help families stop these kinds of...

Many women these days are opting to have children alone. There is an array of reasons why a woman might choose assisted reproduction. Andrea was joined by Lisa, Kerrie and Lucy Boyd, Nurse Manager in the Sims IVF Clonskeagh Clinic to discuss...

Greta Gerwig’s new Barbie movie hits our screens next week, with many lifelong fans already booking out cinemas nationwide. Journalist Mary Kenny has been writing in the Irish Independent that ‘Barbie, once loathed for stereotyping young girls, is now pitched as a feminist icon’ What do you think? Is Barbie an icon or does she actually go against what feminism is meant to be about? Andrea was join...

Eight primary schools in Greystones in Co. Wicklow have pledged to ban smart phones. The scheme has now been approved by Education Minister Norma Foley. The Minister has also suggested that this initiative could be rolled out across the whole country. Should this initiative be extended throughout the country? Andrea was joined by Rachel Harper, Principal of St. Patricks National School in Greysone...

Yesterday The Star’s Paul Healy reported that a 13 year old boy was attacked in Bush Park in Dublin last Thursday. The attack lasted 20 minutes and the boy ended up in ICU. Gardaí are now investigating the attack. Andrea was joined by the boy’s mother, Magda...

Dogs Trust in the UK are warning parents of the risks when leaving young children alone with dogs. Last year in the UK 91% of dog bites to children under 14 years are from dogs known to the children in the home. Would you would leave your children alone unsupervised with your dog? Andrea was joined by Samantha Rawson Dog Trainer and Behaviourist, Elizabeth, a vet and other listeners to discuss...

An RTÉ news report on the dead whale found in Kerry is getting huge attention. The report featured an interview with a local man, who’s accent has garnered some attention. Do we hear enough Irish regional accents on TV and radio? Are we in danger of losing our regional accents? Andrea was joined by listeners to discuss…

Today is July 12th, which will mean Orange Orders and band parading in many parts of Northern Ireland. Yesterday, the Eleventh Night, saw more than 200 bonfires lit in loyalist areas across the North. Among the bonfires was an effigy of Sinn Féin deputy leader Michelle O'Neill in Co Tyrone- where it was to be burned alongside with Irish flags. A picture of Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and an Irish flag...

Ryan Tubridy and Noel Kelly's marathon sessions at two Oireachtas committees are underway. The first session at the Public Accounts Committee began at 11am, with the second session at the Oireachtas Media Committee getting underway from 3pm. Andrea was joined by Fionnán Sheahan, Ireland Editor with the Irish Independent and listeners to discuss the proceedings...

So it turns out, mindfulness really does work. A new study from Cambridge University has show that it can help with depression and anxiety. And can even give you a health boost! But what is it really? Andrea was joined by Michael Ryan, Yoga and Meditation Therapist, nutritional therapist, Fawn Clarke and others to discuss...

An RTE Investigates Documentary has revealed the harsh conditions male calves endure at cattle marts. Shocking footage was aired last night causing outrage from those in the industry and animal rights campaigners. Is it time we crack down on animal welfare in the farming industry? Andrea was joined by Dennis Drennan, Deputy President of ICMSA, Gerry Boland, founder and spokesperson for Animals Beh...

The family of a young man who drowned in a jet-ski accident have said that some people filmed his final moments. Wassiou Leon Ayawe was 19 when died after the jet-ski he was on flipped over in Killaloe. His foster mother Sandra Byrnes joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live to discuss...

How big is the swinging community in Ireland? Is it possible to have an openly sexual community in a country as small as Ireland? Andrea was joined by Gray and Gemma to discuss their experiences in the swinging community...

The head of Cork’s Support After Crime Services fears that a bill criminalising the recruitment of children into gangs won’t achieve its aims unless parents are also held to account. Should parents be held accountable for their children’s crimes or antisocial behaviour? Andrea was joined by Sally Hanlon, founding member and Director of Services of Support After Crime Services and other listeners t...

Marty Morrissey has revealed himself as the RTÉ staff member who had a loan of a car from Renault for five years. In a statement yesterday the RTÉ GAA commentator said he did not seek a fee to act as MC at Renault events so they ‘offered me the use of a car’ It is the latest in a number of controversies to rock RTÉ and its star in the last number of days. But, are we now at the point where we are...

Andrea was joined on the show by callers to discuss whether or not adult children should contribute to the household...