Highlights From Lunchtime Live

Christmas is only ten days away! Lunchtime Live is going to be highlighting some great Irish businesses that you can support this festive season.One of the most important aspects of Christmas has to be dinner - so why not line the table with products from Irish brands?Joining Andrea to discuss is Caterer Sally-Ann, Aisling Kelly Hunter from the Silgo Oyster Experience, Vicki Baird, ‘Bosslady’ of Stillgarden Distillery and John Hempenstall, Founder of Wicklow Farmhouse Cheese.

Welcome to The Pod Squad!We review podcasts every week so you always have something new to listen to.Stylist and Journalist Laura Mullet and Newstalk’s Rory Galvin join Andrea to review ‘Lines of Enquiry’.Image: GoLoud

For this week’s Ask Me Anything, writer, performer and escort activist Kate McGrew  joins Andrea to answer any of your questions!

It’s a sad day for Daniel O’Donnell fans as he’s announced the end of his long running fan club.Daniel joins Andrea to discuss why…

The long-awaited World Darts Championship kicked off last night in the infamous Alexandra Palace, with Luke Littler beginning the defense of his title with a win.Darts has long been a bone of contention in the debate around what constitutes a sport, with some claiming it’s just a pub game, but what do you think? Is it a sport?Joining Andrea to discuss is Sports Journalist Conan Doherty, Comedian Jim Elliott, Richie Walsh from  501 Darts supply store in Trim and listeners.

Do you let your dog lick your face? For some, it’s a simple way to bond with your pet, for others, it’s completely disgusting, and out of the question!Joining Andrea to discuss is dog lover and Journalist Andrea Smith, Laoise Downes, Owner of Outpaws and Wedding Woofs, a bespoke dog service and Dr. Primrose Freestone, Associate Professor in Clinical Microbiology, University of Leicester.

Breakfast Briefing Presenter Shane Beatty joins Andrea Gilligan with plenty of stories from around the country this week!

Under recommendations from the Department of Transport, roadside memorials to crash victims will be banned.Pre-existing memorials will not be automatically removed, but tributes will no longer be allowed on motorways, dual carriageways, regional or local roads with a speed limit of over 60 kilometers an hour.The move has sparked criticism from families who have lost loved ones on Irish roads, and road crash victims' groups.Joining Andrea to discuss this is Sean Canney. Minister of State for Transport & Independent TD for Galway East, Susan Grey of PARK Road Safety Advocacy Group and listeners.

Around Christmastime, the odds are you will be hosting friends and family for a few days. So, how do you squeeze more people in without making a mess of the place, and what should you bring if you’re a guest?Well, the Home Squad are here to discuss hosting Christmas!Joining Andrea to discuss is Jenny Sheehan, Irish Examiner Columnist and former winner of ‘Home of the Year’ (@workerscottage on Instagram) and Sarah Carroll (@sand.and.deliver on Instagram).

Yesterday on the show we spoke about the UK’s efforts to extend bereavement leave after the loss of a family member…It spoke to a lot of people, and a huge amount reached out to share their own stories.One of those was Peter Shelly, and she joins Andrea to discuss.

The Olympics of food is coming to Ireland next February when the Michelin Awards hit our shores - but is enough fuss being made out of it?Joining Andrea to discuss is Food Writer, Corinna Hardgrave, Michelin-starred Chef JP McMahon and Jacinta Dalton, Head of Culinary Arts in ATU Galway.

Are babysitters becoming a thing of the past? Are parents too precious, or are they too costly?Joining Andrea to discuss is Journalist Niamh O’Reilly, Katie Makk from the ‘Opinions Matter’ Podcast and listeners.

We’ve decided to do a deep dive on some of our favourite albums to explore the stories behind them.What did the artists really think of each other? Where did the inspirations from the songs come from?Joining Andrea to discuss is Head Tour Guide at the Irish Rock ‘N’ Roll Museum Experience, Alan Buckley, who’s going to talk through The Cranberries album ‘Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We?’.

In September, Irish businessman Paul Anthony Walsh was shocked to find that thousands had been stolen from his Revolut account.He has now been told by Revolut that he is not entitled to a reimbursement.He joins Andrea to discuss what exactly happened. Presenter of the Home Show on Newstalk and Consumer Columnist with the Irish Independent, Sinead Ryan also joins to discuss how to avoid these types of scams.

Should terms like ‘burger’ and ‘sausage’ be reserved for real meat?EU Countries and lawmakers are meeting today to decide whether plant based foods should be allowed to call their products burgers.What do you think?Joining Andrea to discuss is Denis Drennan, Farmer and President of the Irish Creamery Association, as well as listeners.

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 UK Labour Party’s Workers’ Rights Bill may allow for grief leave after the death of a distant family relative.This begs the question, is Ireland’s grief and compassion leave adequate, or does more need to be done?Joining Andrea to discuss is Kathie Stritch from Grief Ireland, as well as listeners.

Every Wednesday afternoon, we’ll be talking Making Babies.Andrea will be joined by Professor Shane Higgins, Master of the National Maternity Hospital, 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 perinatal mental health, and how to look after your own.

The Department of Housing has now deleted the controversial video giving tips for young people on how to move back in with their parents during the ongoing housing crisis…The video garnered widespread backlash from both the public and the opposition, with Sinn Féin’s Pearse Doherty describing it as a “two-fingered salute” to an entire generation.Andrea is joined by listeners to discuss.

For this week’s Ask the Expert, Andrea is joined by Motty Varghese, Sleep Physiologist and Behavioural Sleep Therapist at the Sleep Therapy Clinic in Dublin to answer any of your sleep-related questions!