Highlights From Lunchtime Live

Are dry robes the next in line to be banned in public settings outside of the seaside? People have been spotted donning their dry robes walking the dogs, in the shops aand most recently in pubs. But is there a place for them in public settings? Andrea was joined by listeners to discuss…

Coming up to Christmas we’re all going to buy too much food. We know it, there’ll be tons of leftovers, food that’ll sit in the fridge for days. We'll go overboard on the cheese and the chocolates too. However, Irish households create 250,000 tonnes of food waste every year. Andrea was joined by some listeners doing their best to tackle food waste…

A north county Dublin town woke up this morning with a grin on its face. Donabate is the ancestral home of Argentinian World Cup winner, midfielder Alexis Mac Allister. Henry McKean visited the cottage his relatives used to live in and met his cousins, including Noel Mac Allister who is overjoyed...

Paul, a listener, got in touch with the show about something he saw happening involving a homeless person last week. Andrea was joined by Paul, Lorraine, who runs a soup kitchen at the GPO and Kenny, who was homeless for 10 years to discuss...

The tradition for married couples to go to their wives for the first Christmas together could be outdated but what is the ‘’done thing’’ when deciding whose in-laws to stay with. Do married couples go their respective ways until kids come into the picture? Andrea was joined by listeners to discuss…

The Transport Minister has said he is 'going for' a plan to take one in five cars off Irish roads by 2030. It is part of targets in an updated Climate Action Plan under Minister Eamon Ryan. Drafts of the plan have set a 20% reduction in cars to cut emissions. Andrea was joined by Cllr Donna Cooney, Green Party Councillor for Clontarf, Brian Cooke is the Director General of the Society of Irish Motor Industry and other listeners to discuss…

Terry, a listener, got in touch with the show via email. Terry is currently waiting on a pet-scan and also the results of two biopsies taken from a nodule in her lungs and enlarged lymph nodes. Terry joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live to discuss her experience…

Is haggling dead? The process of bartering was once commonplace in Ireland but now seems to be something that makes us Irish uncomfortable and is seen as confrontational. Andrea was joined on Lunchtime Live by listeners to discuss the hard-art of haggling…

The final of the World Cup is taking place this weekend. Argentina are taking on France this Sunday in a World Cup that has been marred in controversy. Columnist Ian O’Doherty told Newstalk Breakfast why he was boycotting the World Cup in Qatar this year: Did you boycott the World Cup? Did you stick to your guns? Is it possible to separate sports from politics? Andrea was joined by listeners to discuss…

Academics in California have warned new mothers against the over-use of online parenting forums. This follows research that found that mothers who regularly logged on to parenting websites were more stressed as a result of comparing themselves to others. Andrea was joined by Siobhan O'Neill White from Mams.ie and other mothers to discuss...

An Irish peacekeeper has died in Lebanon and another has been seriously injured, the Department of Defence has announced. The deceased has been named as 23-year-old Seán Rooney from County Donegal. While, 22 year old private Shane Kearney from Killeagh in County Cork remains in a critical but stable condition . Late on Wednesday, a convoy of two Armoured Utility Vehicles with eight personnel onboard came under fire while travelling to Beirut. Andrea was joined on Lunchtime Live by Kevin Byrne, Retired Lieutenant Colonel who served in Lebanon and Shelley Cotter, who’s family members are part of the naval service…

In a tweet online, one user asked ‘What goes through your mind when you receive an invite to the "afters" of a wedding?’ A lot of people in the comments actually seemed annoyed and insulted that they weren't asked for the entire day. How do you feeling about wedding ‘afters’? Would you be insulted if you were asked to them? Andrea was joined by listeners to discuss…

Thieves who steal pets could face minimum of 10 months' jail under new legislation being brought before the Dáil. There was a noticeable spike in pet theft during Covid, particularly dogs, after many people spent more money on expensive breeds during lockdown. Would you like to see stricter sentences for pet thieves? Andrea was joined by listeners on Lunchtime Live to discuss...

Catcalling and street harassment is set to be made punishable by up to 2 years in prison in the UK. The newly proposed law is part of the British Government’s attempts to crackdown on public sexual harassment. Should catcalling be made illegal in Ireland? Andrea was joined by listeners to discuss…

The big day is almost upon us. For many it will be almost 2 years since we have been able to have a normal Christmas celebration. Some out there will be hosting Christmas Day for the very first time. Have you got any advice or tips for people hosting Christmas dinner? Are you doing it for the first time this year yourself? Andrea was joined by Tara O’Connor from The Designed Table, sisters Jenny and Diane and other listeners to discuss…

There have been lots of airline disruptions over the past few days due to the cold weather. Andrea was joined by Lisa, Sarah and other listeners to discuss their experiences...

Residents of North Dublin gathered outside the Fingal County Council office in Swords last night to demand a solution over the airport noise. They say planes have been using different flight paths to the ones that got planning permission. And that the noise is unbearable. Residents joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live to explain what it is like living near the runways…

The Long Covid Clinic being run by Professor Jack Lambert in the Mater Hospital will shut down at the end of this month due to a lack of funding. Sufferers feel like they’ve been forgotten about. Andrea was joined by Patricia who got treatment for long Covid in France, John who's wife is suffering from long Covid and Grainne Kelly, a triathlete living with long Covid...

A listener, Chloe, got in touch with the show about second hand vaping she saw during a concert in the 3Arena. She said: “I was there on Saturday night for the 2 Johnnies and there were countless people vaping, including the two men sitting directly in front of us.” Do you have a problem with people vaping indoors? Be it a concert venue or even your local pub? Andrea was joined by listeners to discuss…

Is there a lack of vegetarian and vegan options on Irish menus? Writer and broadcaster, Barbara Scully joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live after she voiced her annoyance about lack of options for vegetarians in Irish hotels. Other listeners also got in touch about difficulties they have when dining out...