Highlights From Lunchtime Live

Every day we scour the newspapers but often, many great stories from the regional papers don’t make the headlines.Newstalk's Breakfast Briefing presenter Shane Beatty has rounded up some of the best stories that you might have missed... 

Do your children play rugby? Some sports experts in the UK are saying that rugby in schools is a form of child abuse and that parents don’t understand the huge risk of brain injury to their children. Is child abuse too strong a term? Andrea was joined by Professor Eric Anderson, Professor of Sport at the University of Winchester, Former Ireland and Leinster player Shane Byrne and Liam Morley Brereton, coach at St Bridget’s Boxing Club, Edenderry to discuss...

Looking for some new doors and windows without spending a fortune? Architect Roisin Murphy and Hardware Expert Alan Grant joined Andrea with some tricks of the trade to give you a fresh kitchen without the cost...

We’ve teamed up with Laya Healthcare to explore wellbeing in the workplace. Today Andrea was joined by Dr Siobahn Chidley, GP with Watermills Family Practice in Kildare. The Laya Healthcare Workplace Wellbeing Index, available at layahealthcare.ie/wellbeingindex. Keep your finger on the pulse.

How serious a problem is cocaine in GAA?  Experts are claiming that the use of cocaine has “gone through the roof at club level” while dozens of inter-county players are being treated for drugs, alcohol and gambling issues. Is it an issue in your club? Are we doing enough to deal with it? Andrea was joined by GAA refereee Pat Byrne O'Connell, Shane Cassells, Fianna Fail Senator and others to discuss...

Last week Andrea was joined by Gayle on Lunchtime Live. Gayle cares for her 22-year-old son Luca full time in their home.  She is hoping for more help for people like herself and her son.Fine Gael Senator Mary Seery Kearney spoke about Gayle's story in the Seanad yesterday and she joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live today... Image: Oireachtas TV

Yesteray, Andrea spoke to Emma, a woman from Donegal whose husband can't gain access to Ireland from South Africa.Andrea was joined on Lunchtime Live today by Albert Llussa, Partner and Head of Immigration and Human Rights at Daly Lynch Crowe & Morris Solicitors to explain Emma’s situation... 

It's time for Throwback Thursday, where we look back on things that happened this week in history. Ciaran O’Connor from 98fm joined Andrea Gilligan on Lunchtime Live... 

The deposit return scheme begins today. Cans and plastic bottles will have a 15 cent levy applied and can be taken back to retailers to be recycled.  Will this scheme last or is it an inconvenience to shoppers and retailers? Andrea was joined by listeners and retailers to discuss...

A listener Emma, from Donegal, got in touch to share her incredible story. Emma’s husband Lawson is unable to get permission to enter Ireland from South Africa to see Emma and his children.  Andrea chatted to Emma chatted to Emma today about her story...

Do you let your children use screens? Or have you ever been shaming for denying them screentime? Writing in the Irish Independent today, Emma Armstrong talks about how she is apparently making her kids ‘weird’ by not allowed them to use screen.Emma Armstrong and Siobhan O’Neill White from mams.ie joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live to discuss...

For the first time in the Irish Defence Forces’ history, soldiers will be allowed to have beards while on duty.    It’s one of a few new dress code changes being brought in starting from tomorrow. But does it really matter what members of the Defence Forces look like?Andrea was joined by Kevin Byrne, Retired Lieutenant Colonel and others to discuss...

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.  Newstalk’s own Cathal O’Sullivan joined Andrea in studio to put a smile on your faces...

Welcome to The Pod Squad!We’ll review podcasts every Tuesday so you’ll have something new to listen to. Andrea was joined by Jess Kelly and Elaine Burke to talk about the podcast Young Hot Guys...Image: Young Hot Guys

Ciara Kelly spoke on Newstalk Breakfast this morning about female pain being dismissed. Is this a common experience for women in Ireland?Andrea was joined by listeners to discuss...

Over in the UK, Scottish Civil Servants have been granted permission to work abroad for one month of the year.  They can log in from anywhere for four months of the year considering there is a genuine reason to do so.  Should we be more lenient with our hybrid working guidelines? Andrea was joined by Caroline Reidy, HR expert, from the HR Suite, Joanne Mangan from Grow Remote and more to discuss...

This year Andrea Gilligan is determined to make some changes and become that bit healthier! Over the next few weeks Andrea will be joined by a number of different people to find out how they live well.Adam Starr, Principal Teacher at Tara Kadampa Meditation Centre, Dublin joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live today to discuss hillwalking...

Does St. Patrick’s Day make you proud to be Irish?  Lord Mayor of Dublin Daithí de Róiste today launched the St. Patrick's Festival, with the theme announced as SPRÉACH’, or spark, representing the life force, the very essence of our being! Andrea Gilligan was joined by Ian O'Doherty, Columnist with the Irish Independent

Barry Moore, Compliance Manager with BM Logistics joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live today to discuss the impact of migrants boarding trucks on his business...

There are graveyards across the country full of tombstones of all shapes and sizes. Some much larger than others.The larger ones, which are common for members of the travelling community, are apparently causing upset to some, saying it goes too far. Others are saying we need more respect for cultural differences when it comes to honouring our dead. Andrea was joined on Lunchtime Live by Cllr. Michael Connolly, Colm Kieran, Funeral Director, Martin Mahon, traveller rights activist and others to discuss...Image: Find a Grave