Lunchtime Live

The Pandemic changed our lives in many ways- and how we date is no exception. Máiréad Loughman Irish Matchmaker and Dating Specialist joined Adieen to discuss how dating has changed and why so many people are prioritizing looking for love.

Dublin Airport estimates that at least 1,000 people missed flights yesterday due to massive queues outside Terminal 1 and 2 yesterday. Aideen spoke to passengers and Cathal Crowe Fianna Fail TD and Spokesperson for Aviation about what can be done to address the on going issues at Dublin Airport.

There was chaotic scenes at Dublin Airport over the weekend, with the Dublin Airport Authority estimating over a thousand people missed their flights due to queues – some of which were up to three and half hours long. Aideen spoke to reporter Andrew Lowth from Dublin Airport and to listeners who were caught up in long ques and faced flight delays or cancellations.

Dublin airport has been in the headlines a lot lately, from security queues and shortage of staff to parking issues – Broadcaster Teena Gates had a different issue this week though. Teena joined Adrien to discuss the lack of special assistance she encountered and how her experience made her feel.

On yesterday's we heard from Richard, a Texan living in Ireland, who spoke about why he carries a knife to feel safer. We got a big response to the discussion and Adrien was joined today by listeners who were in touch with the show to share their thoughts on carrying weapons.

After raking in €1.2 billion in tolls over the past decade, there are calls for M50 charges to be scrapped. Aontu leader Peader Toibin is among those leading those calls, and he joined Adrien and listeners who were in touch with the show to discuss why the government should consider making journeys free.

Lunchtime Live listener Grace was in touch with the show to explain why she hates when people refer to groups of women as 'guys.' She told Adrien she thinks it sexist and wishes people would not do it.

From eye strains to blurred vision, John Weldon President of the Association of Optometrists Ireland answers all your questions eye related questions.

Bruce Springsteen has announced that he is coming to Ireland for his latest tour, however, with €130 the minimum entry price for a standing ticket we ask - Are Irish ticket prices too expensive? Are you better off travelling abroad to see your favourite artists? Image: Rodolfo Sassano / Alamy Stock Photo

Adrian hears from listeners following the horrendous school shooting in Texas. One American who has been carrying a knife for “protection against crime” in Ireland tells Adrian that repealing the US right to bear arms would not end school shootings.

To the outside world, it looked like Clare Shine had the world at her feet. Excelling on the football pitch – a rising star, playing international football and receiving plaudits from all angles. But internally, she was struggling. By age 23, Clare had become addicted to alcohol, experimented with drugs, suffered panic attacks and tried to take her own life. Clare joined Adrien to tell him about her new book ‘Scoring goals in the dark’.

It’s week 8 of our Going Green Series. This week we take a look at green energy and Brian McIntyre, Programme Manager Of High Performance Building Technologies at SEAI joined Adrien to talk through what is out there.

A text in from a listener highlighted the high cost of student accommodation. The listener outlined how about how her son was quoted "750 euro a month for a room in a 7 bedroom house and they have to pay 250 per month over summer months to hold the house.’ Recent figures for Dublin have ranged between €10,000 and €15,000, and Adrien spoke to students who were struggling to deal with the high price of rent.

Barbecues are back so many of us are looking to put a bit of shape into their garden. Garden Designer Diarmuid Gavin and Plantsman Paul Smyth have teamed up on a new book which aims to help and they joined Andrea with some tips for anyone looking to smarten up their garden for the summer months.     Listen and subscribe to Lunchtime Live on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.

Rent continues to be an increasingly chronic issue across the country, and is no longer restricted to the typical urban areas. Anna, Mary and Ola are residents of a housing estate in County Sligo, who have each seen their rent increase by approximately 70%, effectively overnight. They joined Andrea to discuss their shock and dismay at the current rental situation.   Listen and subscribe to Lunchtime Live on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.

Snoring is an issue that affects many people around the country and those that might have to sleep next to them. Sleep expert Deirdre McSwiney joined Andrea with tips on how best to handle a soring problem.   Listen and subscribe to Lunchtime Live on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.

Linda Buckley was in touch with the show to share her story of her mother who, was a foundling baby abandoned in the UK at just a few days old in 1939. She died not knowing who she was. It was a secret that tormented her for her whole life. After her death Linda and her sisters did a simple DNA test and found her birth family.     Listen and subscribe to Lunchtime Live on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.

Stark figures today about the lack of dog fouling fines being issued by County Councils around the country – with some councils issuing no fines at all over the past 5 years. Fianna Fail Councilor Keith Connolly and Fianna Fail Councilor Keith Connolly joined Andrea and listeners to discuss why are people not getting fined for not cleaning up after their dogs. Listen and subscribe to Lunchtime Live on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.

Claudia Carroll, Actor, author & playwright in Dublin, Tina Koumarianos, Etiquette expert and Aideen Crowley Dynan, Speech Teacher all joined Andrea on the show for today's #TheBigDebate to find out - are curse words bad? Listen and subscribe to Lunchtime Live on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.

Andrea was joined on the show today by a number of listeners including Fred who is a self-employed contractor who says "young people are bone lazy". It is after an article in the Irish Times that states that a shortage of apprentices in the construction sector is due to the reluctance of young people having to get out of bed for 7am. Listen and subscribe to Lunchtime Live on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.

What is the most ridiculous lie you’ve ever told or ever heard? Author Seamus O’Reilly joined Andrea on the show after he tweeted about this the other day and we’ve been knocking great craic out of it. Listen and subscribe to Lunchtime Live on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.

Author Sheila O’Flanagan recently tweeted about how male Authors describe women in books – so how do women feel about men writing about them? Sheila joined Andrea on the show to discuss. Listen and subscribe to Lunchtime Live on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.

Every week, we give you the chance to get access to an expert- this week, we put your health insurance questions to Dermot Goode from Totalhealthcover.ie. Listen and subscribe to Lunchtime Live on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.

Victoria Beckham has told Grazia magazine wanting to be thin is an 'old-fashioned attitude,' after spending much of her youth maintaining a famously slender physique. She stated modern women want to 'look healthy, and curvy' - with the slimmer frame becoming a thing of the past. Andrea was joined by Laura Mullett, Fashion Expert for RSVP Magazine, Brenda Mangwandi content creator & plus size mode and listeners who were in touch with the show, to discuss if wanting to be thin has fallen out of fashion.   Listen and subscribe to Lunchtime Live on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.  

Marguerite Penrose was born in St. Patrick’s Mother and Baby home on the Navan Road in Dublin in 1974. During the Pandemic, Marguerite wrote a piece about her life that was published on the Black and Irish Instagram page, the interest in her life story has been non-stop since, so much so that she’s written a book. She joined Andrea to discuss her book 'Yeah, But Where Are You Really from’ on this afternoon's show.     Listen and subscribe to Lunchtime Live on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.  

Between the Wagatha Christie Trial and the Heard/Depp trial – it’s been hard to dodge hearing the details of these court cases. They have been covered extensively in the media and have attracted a massive amount of social media interest. Larry Donnelly Law Lecturer in NUI Galway ,Noeline Blackwell, Lawyer and CEO of the Dublin Rape Crisis centre and Brian Lloyd Entertainment.ie joined Andrea to discuss if these kind of trials make a mockery of the law.     Listen and subscribe to Lunchtime Live on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.

David Murphy is a wedding photographer. The other night his camera was stolen from the back of his car – including SD cards of a recent wedding. He told Andrea through his posts on social media one the cards has been returned to him and he hopes that the same will happen with the other. He asks listeners who might know anything about the camera to get in touch with the show.   Listen and subscribe to Lunchtime Live on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.

According to parenting author Lara Bazelon research shows working mothers are just as capable as stay at home parents and, their kids do just as well in life. Andrea spoke to parents who were in touch with the show after Irish Independent Columnist Tanya Sweeney investigated if putting your career first might actually be a good thing for your kids.   Listen and subscribe to Lunchtime Live on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.          

The pandemic had different effects on us all- but for many people- it’s been hard to get back that zest for life that you once had. Professor Elaine Fox has a new book out ‘Switchcraft’ which helps you to switch your mindset. Elaine joined Andrea with tips on getting back an enthusiasm for life.   Listen and subscribe to Lunchtime Live on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.  

You might have heard some of the sterotypes surround birth order and personality. Stereotypes like ‘typical oldest child’, ‘middle-child syndrome’, ‘spoilt baby of the family’ tend to sound like pop-psychology generalisations. But psychotherapist Coleman Noctor joined Andrea to explain there is a degree of wisdom behind these generic descriptions.   Listen and subscribe to Lunchtime Live on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.

Renewed calls have been made for the Dail bar to close its doors, as the Leinster House premises is not licensed to serve alcohol. People Before Profit TD for Dublin South West Paul Murphy joined Andrea and former government minister Shane Ross to explain why he believes "lawmakers in the chambers" should not become "law breakers" when they go drinking.   Listen and subscribe to Lunchtime Live on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.    

Reports of huge queues in Dublin Airport were again circulating at the weekend. On yesterdays show Andrea spoke about her own experience of getting a taxi from Dublin airport and the unexpected delay's she faced. Eoghan Corry Editor of Air and Travel Magazine answered airport queries from listeners who were in touch with the show.   Listen and subscribe to Lunchtime Live on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.

It’s week 7 of our Going Green Series. This week we take a look at the role technology plays in sustainability and, how we can reduce the impact our usage has on the environment. Colin Baker from Back from the future joined Andrea with his tips. Listen and subscribe to Lunchtime Live on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.

A landmark week for football as Jake Daniels has become the UK's first active male professional footballer to come out as gay. The Blackpool player is the first man in the professional game to do so publicly since Justin Fashanu in 1990. John McGouran Community Officer with Shelbourne FC, Eoin Sheahan, presenter of OTBAM and John Coary Chair of Dublin Devils FC, joined Andrea to discuss the significance of this moment and what impact this could have on the sporting community.   Listen and subscribe to Lunchtime Live on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.    

Marcus Ward is a wheelchair user he recently tweeted that he tried to book a meal in a restaurant in Dublin and was told there was "no wheelchair access as it's a 100 year old listed building and therefore not allowed to renovate". He joined Andrea and other listeners who were in touch with the show to share their own experiences of poor accessibility.   Listen and subscribe to Lunchtime Live on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.    

With cost of living at an all time high, Andrea spoke to Kamila who was in touch with the show about how low maternity pay is forcing new mothers back into work. She discussed how little the payment has increased since she had her last child eight years ago and what financial pressure that puts new mothers under. Listen and subscribe to Lunchtime Live on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.  

Lauren Barrett from Tralee was only 21 years old when she found a lump in her breast. She is now cancer free and is an ambassador for the 100K in 30 Days campaign for breast cancer Ireland. She joined Andrea to discuss her diagnosis and encouraged listeners to get involved in breast cancer Ireland's latest campaign.   Listen and subscribe to Lunchtime Live on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.

TV Presenter James Corden has revealed that he only washes his hair once every two months. His revelation has been met with horror, with many expressing their horror at Corden's attitude to hair care! Owner and director of Dylan Bradshaw Hair Salon in Dublin joined Andrea to discuss how often you should wash your hair and why over washing can actually be damaging to hair quality. Listen and subscribe to Lunchtime Live on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.

Soaring insurance rates, plus potential issues around sponsorship and volunteers may see a lot of the traditional agricultural shows around Ireland come under increased pressure. Show insurance has risen by almost 25% since 2019, on top of the preexisting costs of running a show. Irish Shows Association (ISA), National President Catherine Gallagher joined Andrea and Joan Bateman, secretary of the Limerick Show, to discuss the increase in cost and the need to encourage younger age groups to volunteer.   Listen and subscribe to Lunchtime Live on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.  

After returning from a weekend away, Andrea was surprised to see such a large number of people queueing for a taxi outside Dublin airport. She spoke to a mixture of passengers and taxi drivers about the shortage of taxi's and the reasons behind it.   Listen and subscribe to Lunchtime Live on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.    

College students scheduled to fly to America on their J1 work visas have run into similar roadblocks, as lengthy delays around their applications continue. One of those affected is Trinity student Sarah Domoney who joined Clare on the show to discuss her experience so far. Listen and subscribe to Lunchtime Live on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.

Passport renewals can be a tricky business, but one of our listeners had a particularly tough experience with her recent application. Kathy in Donegal submitted her documents well in advance, and despite several follow-ups, heard nothing back until the day before her trip. The flights were non-refundable, and she missed her flight. Kathy joined Clare on the show to chat about her experience. Listen and subscribe to Lunchtime Live on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.

Clare was joined on the show by Sean Carroll who proposed to his husband Mark at Sing Along Social at Electric Picnic and by Helena who married her husband on Friday the 13th two years ago. Listen and subscribe to Lunchtime Live on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.

“Calling someone bald at work is sexual harassment, an employment tribunal in the UK has ruled this week “It comes after electrician Tony Finn took a claim against his former employer of 24 years before he was fired in May 2021. Is that kind of abuse still so common? Or how do perceptions of baldness in 2022 compare to previous eras? Clare was joined on the show by Conor Pope of the Irish Times who has written about his experiences in the past. Listen and subscribe to Lunchtime Live on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.

Fine Gael Senator Regina Doherty says that a culture of toxic masculinity is stopping female students from taking up more technical subjects in school. Clare was joined on the show by Sarah who spoke about the difficulties her daughter is facing by being the only female student in her metalwork class of 16 boys along with Niamh Baker who has worked in the trades industry for 20 years. Listen and subscribe to Lunchtime Live on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.

From bad breath to cracked crowns – in our expert slot today- Dentist Paul O’Dwyer joined Clare to answer all your teeth-related queries. Listen and subscribe to Lunchtime Live on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.

Henry McKean joined Clare McKenna at Piazza Castello Turin as the countodown to Eurovision continues. Henry met Eurovision superfans Tricia Ryan, Laura Fitzachary and Amy Fitzgerald.

An upcoming report from SOLAS has determined that more than 50,000 construction workers are urgently needed to fill a ‘black hole’ in the housing workforce. Dermot Carey from the Construction Federation of Ireland joined Clare to discuss the attitude that still exists towards trades and why trades can offer a path to those who do not feel traditional college is the right fit for them.   Listen and subscribe to Lunchtime Live on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.    

Goats are causing havoc in Kerry. Fiana Fail Councillor John Francis Flynn spoke to Clare about the groups of goats across the county gathering near roads and finding their way into schools and private houses. Listen and subscribe to Lunchtime Live on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.    

Back in February an advert for Adidas caused a bit of a stir – it featured dozens of sets of bare breasts to promote the diversity of their new range of sports bras. That advert has now been banned in the UK after a number of people complained that the ads' use of nudity was gratuitous and that it objectified women by sexualizing's them and “reducing them to body parts." Clare shared her own thoughts on the banning of the advert, she was also joined by Lauren Higgs is the co-founder of female-led creative agency Good As Gold and listeners who were in touch with the show.   Listen and subscribe to Lunchtime Live on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.