Lunchtime Live

Does your child's creche or montessori have rules around what baked goods or foods can be brought in by a child? Newstalk's Simon Tierney received a notice recently from his daughter's montessori placing a ban on home baked goods for any birthday celebrations. Andrea was joined in studio by Simon to discuss. He was joined alongside listeners, Killian, Lisa, Andy and Jessica to discuss...

Pubs will be able to serve until 12.30am every night of the week under new rules proposed by Justice Minister Helen McEntee. The new legislation will also clear the way for nightclubs to stay open until 6am. Andrea was joined on Lunchtime Live by DJ and music producer, Mark McCabe, Ronan from the Swan Bar in Dublin and other listeners to discuss...

New guidelines released by the HSE today will call for obesity to be treated as a disease. Campaigners are welcoming this and saying it will help in how the condition is managed. Roughly 1 million people in Ireland are considered obese and about a quarter of all over-15s. Andrea was joined on Lunchtime Live by Dr Cathy Breen, Chair of the Association for the Study of Obesity, Bernadette Keenan, from the Irish Coalition for people living with obesity, Dr Eva Orsmond, specialist in weight loss and other listeners to discuss…

How do you make the perfect cup of tea? Do you scald the cup first? A tweet from Sophie Grenham has caused a lot of debate in the Newstalk office this morning. Andrea was joined by Baker Catherine Leyden and Jenna, Clement & Pekoe's resident tea sommelier to discuss how to make the perfect brew...

The Ukrainian Ambassador to Ireland has criticised the Government’s failure to provide accommodation to incoming refugees, calling it unacceptable. It comes as 43 refugees were told that there was no accommodation for them at the weekend after the Citywest transit hub was closed for new arrivals. Many of those slept in the airport. Andrea was joined on Lunchtime Live by Anastasia Sytnyk, a Ukrainian woman living in Dublin, Anatoliy Prynakov from Ukrainian Action Ireland, Padraig Hennessy, Vice President of Youghal Chamber of Tourism and Development and other listeners to discuss...

A group of tenants living across more than 30 apartments in a Dublin city property have been served eviction notices. The landlord intends to sell the entire building and they all have to leave. Andrea was joined by one of those tenants, James O’Toole. He was joined alongside Calvin O’Brien, from the Talking Bollix podcast, and other listeners to discuss the impact of gentrification on them and their communities...

Are people too quick to comment on other people’s height? TV Presenter and Author Richard Osman has spoken out about how his 6’7 height has often made him feel "embarrassed". Andrea was joined by former Irish Rugby International, Devin Toner, Broadcaster, Barbara Scully and listeners to discuss...

There are new proposals to ban smoking in public parks and beaches in Ireland. It's thought of as being the next stop in Ireland’s smoking ban. Tobacco officials here have set their sights on extending a zero-tolerance approach to smoking. Andrea was joined by John Mallon, Forest Eireann, Cllr Oisín O'Connor, Green Party Councillor for Glencullen-Sandyford and listeners to discuss...

Frank O’Connor and Jude Sherry, who published the Derelict Ireland report, will be joined by Holly Cairns and the Social Democrats co-leaders, Roisin Shortall and Catherine Murphy, this weekend in Cork as they look at the harsh reality of our dereliction crisis in Cork City. Holly Cairns TD, Social Democrat TD and Brendan O'Sullivan is the Head of University College Cork’s Planning School joined Andrea on the show to discuss…

eBay have removed Jeffrey Dahmer Halloween costumes from their online auction site. eBay say that they have a ban on items closely associated with violent felons within the past 100 years. Can you go too far with a Halloween costume? Andrea was joined by Eimear McKeon from the ‘Because You Were Home’ horror podcast, clinical psychologist, Tara Logan Buckley, make-up artist, Adrienne Kennedy Campion and Dr Sarah Cleary, who has a PhD in Controversial Horror…

Britain's Prime Minister's announced she will resign - and a successor will be in place within a week. Andrea was joined by Newstalk's Kieran Cuddihy in London, Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys and London correspondent, Vincent McAvinney to discuss..

Should people who drive bigger cars have to pay more to park them? It’s one idea being floated by Dublin City Council, to disincentivise people from driving higher polluting cars into the city. Is it further punishing people who need to use bigger cars for work? Andrea was joined on Lunchtime Live by Brian Caulfield, Associate Professor, Civil Struct & Environmental Engineering, Donna Cooney, Green Party Councillor for Clontarf and others to discuss…

Residents in Balbriggan are objecting to the construction of a new playground in the local area because they fear it’ll attract antisocial behaviour. Andrea was joined by residents Paul and Lukas to discuss. They were joined alongside Catherine, from the Liberties Residents Association and others...

What do you do with a loved ones social media accounts when they pass away? Unfortunately it was a situation Donna Ahern found herself in when her twin sister Susan died last year. Donna joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live to discuss her experience...

Dublin man Edward O’Reilly says that he should have been bringing his three newborn babies home from Kenya, but instead – all he brought home is their birth certs. Edward, whose babies were born via surrogacy has been left devastated after the service he used demanded a further €16,000 despite him already paying €50,000. Edward joined Andrea on the show to tell his story...

A woman in the US has caused a storm online recently demanding a refund for having to sit between two overweight people. American Airlines in turn, provided her with a refund. Have you experienced travelling as an overweight person or have you been sat beside someone who was overweight on an airplane? Andrea was joined on Lunchtime Live by Robert and Nicola to discuss...

One of the main streets in our capital city has been dubbed as dangerous and full of druggies and crime in the Dáil. O’Connell Street in Dublin has long been seen as somewhere in desperate need of help and regeneration, but the problem is thought to be getting worse. Andrea was joined by Fine Gael TD, Paul Keogh, Gary Gannon Social Democrats TD for Dublin Central and other listeners to discuss...

A video online has sparked controversy after Comedian Fabu-D challenged a homeless man to complete the press up challenge for money. In the video, the man does 20 pushups, and Fabu-D gives him €20. People have called for the video to boycotted, while others have said it’s an overreaction. Comedian Fabu-D and Glenda Harrington, from Friends Helping Friends joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live...

Tánaiste, Leo Varadkar has been mocked online after revealing his partner Matt Barrett’s meal prep for the week. However, the fact that none of the containers have lids has caused such a stir that even the Food Safety Authority given their advice online. Andrea was joined by Chef, Edward Hayden, Odile Le Bolloch, environmental scientist with the Environmental Protection Agency and Holly White, vegan chef and lifestyle blogger to discuss...

Is €250 too steep for a restaurant cancellation fee? A Michelin star restaurant in Cork charged a couple that fee after the cancelled their booking with only half an hour's notice. The reason given for the cancellation was that they had to make an emergency trip to A&E. Is it fair for restaurants to have cancellation fees? Andrea was joined by Paul Treyvaud, Owner of Treyvaud’s restaurant in Killarney, Anthony Gray, Owner, Eala Bhan and Hooked Restaurants in Sligo, Stephen McMahon, Co Founder of the Irish Patients Association and listener Fiona on Lunchtime Live…

Our shopping habits have completely changed in recent years, with more of us choosing to buy online rather than in store. And about half of us have said Covid has increased our likelihood to shop online instead. However, a lot of online fashion brands only show their clothes one type of model, leaving people guessing what size to purchase. Andrea was joined by journalist, Anna Carey, Laura Mullet, fashion expert for RSVP Magazine and Ireland AM stylist and Brendan Courtney, presenter and fashion designer to discuss...

A man is alleged to have grabbed a 9 year old boy by the throat during hurling blitz in Tipperary at the weekend. Andrea was joined on Lunchtime Live by listeners to discuss abuse in the GAA at juvenile level and what needs to be done to resolve it...

Geoff, an American joined Adrian Kennedy on Lunchtime Live to discuss the treatment of people from the US in Ireland. He says when people providing services hear his accent charge more money.. Adrian also heard from other listeners from the US, UK and even South Africa about the treatment they have received since they arrived here...

Apparently, 'Thank You' notes are becoming a thing of the past. Do you still write thank you notes, or is a quick and handy text ‘thanks’ the way to go? Adrian Kennedy was joined by author, Martina Devlin, etiquette expert, Tina Koumarianos and author, Sheila O’Flanagan to discuss...

The Government is telling us that they want more and more people to take public transport. They are encouraging people to leave their cars behind – but is the service that is there already buckling under the stress of those of us who do decide to take public transport? Listeners Marian, Dan and Daniel all joined Adrian Kennedy on the line from Cork...

Every week, we give you the chance to put your questions to the experts. This week, Adrian Kennedy put your queries to Property Expert and Buyer's Agent, Liz O'Kane...

David Quinn, Columnist with the Irish Catholic and Sunday Times, wants the State to help Churches in paying their energy bill this winter. David joined Adrian Kennedy on Lunchtime Live to discuss...

Is it time to start ratting out your neighbours for leaving rubbish out for bonfires? Ballyfermot Drimnagh Councillor for Sinn Féín, Daithí Doolan warned about stockpiling this morning on Newstalk Breakfast. Are bonfires a problem in your area? Adrian Kennedy was joined by Bill Clear, Social Democrats Councillor for Kildare County Council and Vice Chair of Naas Tidy Towns and Mark, a council worker in Dublin to discuss...

Thousands of students around the country have staged a walk out today over issues they say aren’t being resolved. They’re protesting about the state of student accommodation and the cost of education during a cost-of-living crisis. Adrian Kennedy was joined on Lunchtime Live by Mark Dunne, Student President at South East Technological University, Brian Jordan Student Union President at TU Dublin and Asha Woodhouse, UCC Student Union President to discuss...

Videos have been circulating on social media of the Irish women's national soccer team singing an offensive song in their dressing room after their win against Scotland last night. The Football Association of Ireland and manager Vera Pauw have since apologised. Andrea was joined by Mark Tighe, News reporter with the Sunday Independent, Cllr Alan Haye, Councillor for South Dublin County Council and other listeners to discuss...

The Football Association of Ireland has apologised, after players on the Women's National Team were seen signing an offensive song following their World Cup qualifier on Tuesday. Brian Warfield from The Wolfe Tones, who wrote the song joined Andrea to give his to the events in the dressing room...

Fiona, a listener, got in touch with Lunchtime Live after reading Jen Hogan's article in The Irish Times about children being sidelined playing juvenile sport. Fiona's son was dropped from his local soccer team and she told Andrea about how it has affected him...

How long have you had your tupperware? Philip Nolan tweeted that his sister still has the Tupperware bowls that they had when they were kids. Andrea was joined on Lunchtime Live by Philip Nolan, journalist with the Irish Daily Mail, Writer and Artist Taryn De Vere and listener, Margaret to discuss...

History was made last night as the Ireland’s women football team qualified for the World Cup for the first time. Andrea was joined on Lunchtime Live by Shaun Paul Barrett, Amber Barrett's Dad, Noel Gillespie from Milford FC, Tony Poutch, who coached Aine O’Gorman and Alan Moore, Blessingon FC Club Chairperson...

Staff from nursing homes all around the country have gathered outside the Department of Health this afternoon in protest about the pandemic payment. Thousands of employees still haven’t gotten the promised €1,000 for working on the front line throughout the pandemic. Andrea was joined by Julie McNeela, Household Manager at Aras Mhuire Nursing Facility, Drogheda, Eileen Doyle, Healthcare Assistant at Knockeen Nursing Home, Co Wexford, Jim O' Brien, Chef at Darraglynn Nursing Home, Cork and others to discuss…

Should we put seagulls on the pill? That is one suggestion from Dublin Councillor Aoibhinn Tormey. She says that there is a huge problem with gulls attacking people for food in Howth and she wants to dispense contraceptive pellets to limit the seagull population. Savlatore Donzi, from Beshoff Bros Howth, Cllr Keith Connolly, Dublin City Councillor, Noel in Cork, Vincent in Dublin and others to discuss…

Andrea was joined on Lunchtime Live by comedian and writer Orla Doherty. Orla is speaking at Shine Festival today – which is an empowering event for the young women and girls of Ireland. Orla has wrote a really powerful piece on discovering your gay as a young adult and what it was like to Come Out in 1990s Ireland...

Andrea reflects on the tragedy in Creeslough, in her home county of Donegal. She talks to locals in the area including Garda Brendan O’Connor who was on the scene.

A court in the Netherlands has ruled an employer violated the human rights of a staff member by demanding he had his webcam on for 9 hours a day. Do you feel obliged to have your webcam on? Has your employer ever asked you to put it on?

What do you think about the idea of a school where kids get to pick what they learn? Where there’s no rules, no homework and no one in charge. There's a few of these types of schools in Ireland - some in Kildare, Sligo, Cork, Kilkenny and all around the country. Andrea was joined by Ciara Brehony, Staff Member at Wicklow Democratic School, Gayle Nagle, Staff member at Sligo Sudbury School and parents Dorothée and Mia to chat about alternative schools...

Today is Grandparents Day and we’re celebrating the special relationship between grandchildren and grandparents. What traits, traditions or hobbies did they pass on to you? Broadcaster Mary Kennedy, Tadgh and Ettie of Gogglebox Ireland fame and journalist, Mairead Lavery all joined Andrea to chat about the importance of Grandparents...

An Coimisiún Le Rincí Gaelacha has appointed a former Court of Appeal judge to get to the bottom of allegations of mass competition fixing between Irish dancing teachers and judges. Andrea was joined on Lunchtime Live by Sarah, an Irish dancing teacher and Susan, who has two daughters that compete in Irish dancing to discuss

IBEC says employers should be able to ask for 'proof' to stop the 'potential abuse' of paid leave, for victims of domestic violence. The business lobby group has objected to plans to introduce a specific 5 days of paid leave for those suffering or at risk of abuse in the home. Andrea was joined by Norah Casey, businesswoman, Sarah Benson, CEO of Women's Aid and Mary Connaughton, Director CIPD Ireland, to discuss...

Would you get up at 5am to cram more in to your day? TikTok’s 5am-9am club is a new trend where people get up extra early to cram more activities into the day before starting work. Andrea was joined by journalist, Kirsty Blake Knox, Colin Baker from Back from the Future, fitness expert Gillian Hynes and other listeners to discuss..

Ireland has been ranked the friendliest country in Europe according to readers of Condé Nast Traveller. The travel magazine said: “Countless global reports have continually dubbed the people of Ireland as some of the friendliest and most welcoming to visitors in the world." Andrea was joined by listeners on Lunchtime Live to hear about what they think about Ireland being voted the friendliest country in Europe...

Have you ever imagined living your life in a different way? So many of us are used to living in a house, maybe with a partner or a family, commuting to work, the daily grind. But, is there another way? Max Zaska, is a musician who recently moved to the Offaly countryside with his family...

The new Sale of Alcohol Bill which could see pubs open until 6am has been delayed, Government officials have confirmed. The bill, aimed at transforming Irish nightlife and developing a new 'night-time economy’, was to be introduced in the next few months but now it will be delayed until after Christmas. Andrea was joined by Robbie Kitt, DJ and Spokesperson for Give us the Night Campaign, Kim, a trader in Dublin City Centre and other listeners to discuss...

Brendan Tierney, a driving instructor in Sligo got in touch with Lunchtime Live to voice his concerns about the attitudes towards learner drivers on the road. Brendan, Libby a learner driver and listeners Dave and Patrick all joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live to discuss...

Have we got enough green areas in our towns and cities? A new café is currently being built in a Dublin Park, but locals feel they’re being ignored in their objections to it. Laura, a listener in Dublin joined Andrea to voice her concerns. Averil, in Ashbourne and Rebecca in Waterford also joined Lunchtime Live to discuss the lack of green spaces in our towns and cities...

Liadán Hynes, Author of ‘Courting: Tractor dates, Macra babies and Swiping Right in Rural Ireland’ joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live to discuss the challenges facing those in rural Ireland when trying to date...