Lunchtime Live

Tomorrow, March 4th marks World Obesity Day. It comes as The World Obesity Federation project that 47% of adults in Ireland will be obese by 2035 - with an annual increase in child obesity of 4.1%. But, are we overstating weight when it comes to conversations about our health? Do we put too much emphasis on the likes of BMI and the numbers we see no the scales? Andrea spoke to listeners to find ou...

Households around the country are getting their electricity bills over the next few days. And some have come as a very unwelcome surprise. Kitty Byrne, a 100 year old woman in Meath, got a bill of almost a thousand euro for a two month period. Her nephew Frank Dempsey joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live to discuss. Listeners Debbie, Keith and more also joined Andrea on the show…

In September, many parents around the country were relieved when the Government increased the National Childcare Subsidy from 50 cent an hour to €1.10, meaning that creche fees were being reduced. However, since then, another issue has arrived. Parents are now struggling to find places for children looking to attend creches on a part-time basis. Hannah, a mother of 2, Elaine Dunne, Chairperson fro...

A fire which broke out in Wexford General Hospital last night has caused more than 200 patients to be displaced. Patients were evacuated and transferred to hospitals in Kilkenny, Waterford, Cork and Dublin. Andrea was joined by Sandra, whose son Jack was in the hospital, Seamus, a patient in the hospital, and Robbie, whose father is also patient in the hospital. Ian Brennan, General Manager for Th...

Lunchtime Live have teamed up with Arc Cancer Support Services for an upcoming event and as part of it, Andrea took a trip to the centre in Dublin to see the services and supports they offer...

Should there be an age limit on e-scooters? The European Transport Safety Council has called for an age limit of 16-years-old and also recommended that the use of helmets should be made compulsory. Andrea was joined by listeners on Lunchtime Live to discuss...

An Irish firefighter has been travelling to Ukraine since the beginning of the war to bring aid there. Despite having a family at home, he says he’ll continue returning to Ukraine the war is over. Andrew Laste, from Clonmel in Tipperary, joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live from Ukraine...

TDs salaries are now higher than ever after passing a Celtic Tiger highpoint today. Their basic pay, before expenses, has reached €107,376 from a previous peak of €106,582 in 2008. The Taoiseach’s gross pay is €230,372 following today’s pay rise Do you think our public representatives are paid too much? Andrea was joined by listeners to discuss…

Education Minister Norma Foley is to drop plans to move some Leaving Cert exams to fifth year in 2024 following sharp opposition from teachers and concern among students. One concern was that it would potentially disadvantage students who skip Transition Year and who would suddenly find themselves facing three exam years in a row. Should Transition Year be made compulsory? Andrea was joined by lis...

Should every county in Ireland have a directly elected mayor? New Junior Housing Minister Kieran O’Donnell thinks so. In 2019, pilot votes were held in Limerick, Waterford and Cork on whether to introduce a directly elected mayor but only Limerick voted in favour. Would having a mayor in your county benefit it? Andrea was joined by Fine Gael Councillor for Limerick and former Mayor, Stephen Keary,...

The Government says they’ll set up a Covid inquiry for the middle of this year. Its purpose won’t be to find fault with anyone, or praise anyone. It will focus on getting the facts of how the crisis was handled, to plan for future responses to public health emergencies. Did we handle it properly? Did we get it right? Andrea was joined by listeners to discuss… Image: Grainne Kelly

Are you looking to source drugs in Ireland? An investigation by the Irish Sun has found that ordering narcotics online is easier than buying a takeaway. Adrian Kennedy was joined by Barry Gallagher, reporter with The Irish Sun, Dean and James both recovering drug addicts, Michael, a taxi driver and other listeners to discuss…

Hotels and hostels in Dublin are charging up to €1,664 for a double room on St Patrick’s Day. That is according to Dublin Live who found that if you are trying to book accommodation on March 17th you will be playing multiples of what you would pay on an average night. Dublin City Council have also been accused of St Patrick’s Day price gouging by charging up to €1,000 for a family of four to watch...

Today marks the one year anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine. Estimates vary widely, but most place the total number of civilian casualties between 10,000 and 30,000, and count at least 250,000 soldiers killed and wounded from both sides. Andrea was joined by those who the invasion has affected most, those who’ve had to leave their homes and their loved ones behind, and start a new life in Irel...

A New Jersey restaurant is banning children under 10. Nettie’s House of Spaghetti in New Jersey said that they made the decision because “it’s been extremely challenging to accommodate children”. However, they've received a lot of backlash for it. But what do you think? Should restaurants be allowed to ban children under a certain age? Would you like to see something similar introduced here? Andre...

Zero alcohol ads are being used to circumvent the intent of laws designed to protect children from harmful alcohol advertising. That is according to Alcohol Action Ireland – who say they want this ‘loophole’ closed. On-pitch alcohol advertising during sports matches has been banned in Ireland since 2018 – are these alcohol-free giving drink companies a backdoor to advertise? Andrea was joined by l...

'As I Remember It: Bertie Ahern & the Good Friday Agreement' is a new podcast that tells the story of the Good Friday Agreement as told by those who negotiated it and marks the first time all those involved have reunited to reflect on the negotiations in 25 years. Head to newstalk.com/goodfridayagreement.

Baywatch is the new campaign from the Disabled Drivers Association of Ireland, they’re calling on Gardaí and traffic wardens to have more power to impose fines on people parking illegally in spaces at private car parks in shopping centres, educational institutions, hospitals, and other spaces. Should more be done to stop people illegally parking in disabled bays? Andrea was joined by Anotoinette,...

The Irish language seems to be having a moment right now. Irish language movie ‘Cailin Ciuin’ has received an Oscar nomination and Paul Mescal made headlines for giving the Cupla Focail a go during a red carpet interview. Is the Irish language cool again? Andrea was joined by Professor Pragya Agarwal, Councillor Hazel de Nortuin, Gerard and Fiachra to discuss using the cúpla focail…

Journalist Mary MacCarthy has a piece in the Irish Independent and in it, she talks about her struggles trying to find age appropriate clothes for her twelve year old daughter. Andrea was joined by Mary to explain what prompted her to write the piece. Sarina Bellissimo, presenter of The Bellissimo Files podcast and listeners Keren, Nicki and Maria joined Andrea too on Lunchtime Live to discuss…

There is absolutely no ‘academic advantage’ to going to a single sex school in Ireland, according to research carried out by the University of Limerick. What is the value in going to a single sex school? Is there one? Or is it all just about choice? Should parents always have the right to choose what kind of school their children go to? Andrea was joined by listeners to discuss…

Students in the UK's Cambridge University have voted to push for a completely vegan menu across its catering services. The Cambridge Student Union voted to remove all animal products from its cafes and canteens, creating a “sustainable and 100 per cent plant-based” menu. Andrea was joined by Nathan McGovern, Plant-Based Universities Co-Founder and Press Coordinator, Kaley Nolan from UCC Vegan Soci...

Is it time that we starting building high rise housing to help ease the accommodation crisis? Andrea was joined on Lunchtime Live by Independent Dublin City Councillor, Mannix Flynn, Tom Phillips, Managing Director of Tom Phillips and Associates, Adjunct Associate Professor of Architecture and Planning at UCD, Róisín Murphy, Architect and others to discuss...

Carers will receive a €200 lump sum as part of a cost-of-living package unveiled by the Government today but carers say that this isn’t enough, and that the Government needs to pay them a living wage. Andrea was joined by Róisín and Tracy to discuss...

Is it ever too late to take up a hobby? As we get older some people can find it difficult to meet new people and start completely from scratch. Andrea wanted to give listeners some inspiration for trying something new later in life. Listeners Jenny, Eddie and Édaein joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live to discuss...