Highlights From Lunchtime Live

A Status Orange low temperature/ice warning is due to remain in place for the whole country until midday today. The drop in temperature has seen icy footpaths appearing all around the country. Many footpaths seem to be un-gritted, despite the main roads being done. Andrea was joined by listeners around the country to discuss...

An animal rights group is calling for an end to horse and carriages. The National Animal Rights Association tweeted a picture of a horse and cart in Dublin saying: ‘Ban horse carriages in Dublin! We spotted this poor horse on Grafton Street today. She was in lashing rain, no sign of the horse carriage driver, no food, no water, tied so as to inhibit her ability to move her head, and with stupid Christmas “antlers” between her ears. This cannot continue. Horse carriages have been banned in cities in other countries, Ireland needs to be next.’ Andrea was joined by Vegan Animal Rights Activist Catherine Woods and other listeners to discuss…

After 2 long years- the Christmas Party is back! Do you enjoy your work Christmas party? Do you even go? Sinead Ryan, Presenter of the Home Show here on Newstalk and Kirsty Blake Knox, Journalist with the Irish Independent joined Andrea to discuss...

Should there be harsher punishments for trespassing? Gardaí are advising farmers 'not to take law into their own hands' over gang issues, but is enough being done to protect them? Andrea Gilligan was joined by Mary Kissane, Willie O'Donoghue and other listeners to discuss...

Members of the Irish Countrywomen’s Association have told members to be careful what they post in local WhatsApp conversations. They have warned against airing grievances about individual members or the organisation in social media chat groups. Are we cautious enough of the messages we send or the things we share in WhatsApp group conversations? Listeners got in touch with Clare McKenna to discuss on Lunchtime Live…

The ‘Buying Irish’ series wrapped up today, with thanks to Champion Green, Ireland’s Support Local Campaign. Champion Green and Lunchtime Live are encouraging local people to support local business and jobs this Christmas. This week, Clare McKenna was joined by Irish food producers, Donal Flynn, Food & Wine buyer with Fallon & Byrne, Patricia from Wilde Irish Chocolate, Neil from Freezin Friesian, Michael from Boyne Valley Cheese, Sally from Woodcock Smokery, Sharon from Wild Irish Foragers and Jacqui from Caboose…

The head of one of the country's best-known Gaeltacht summer colleges has said the standard of Irish in students is shameful and that the Government is putting its head in the sand about it. Mícheál Ó Foighil, CEO of Coláiste Lurgan, Cllr Hazel de Nortúin, Founder of Cafe Glic in Ballyfermot and other listeners joined Clare McKenna to discuss…

Christmas can be a great time to come together with family and friends, but it can also be very difficult if you’re missing a loved one who you have lost. Andrea was joined by listeners to remember those who they have lost and how they are remembering them at this time of year...

Career breaks for teachers could be suspended under plans being considered by the Government in response to a shortage of qualified staff in schools. Under existing rules, a teacher may take a career break for a year or more which can be extended, subject to an employer’s approval, for up to five years at any one time, or 10 years in the course of a teacher’s career. Andrea Gilligan was joined by teachers, retired teachers and other listeners to discuss...

Should you have to re-sit your driving test every 10 years? One Cork Councillor has described the standard of driving in Cork City as 'appalling'. Are we too lax about driving habits in Ireland? Andrea was joined by listeners to discuss the standard of driving in Ireland…

As the 25th December gets closer, some people might consider celebrating Christmas in an alternative way. Whethe it is because you're looking for a getaway from all the hassle or you're simply stuck at work you might have come up with a way to celebrate the big day in your own way. Andrea was joined by Kevin Dundon, chef and owner of Dunbrody House in Co Wexford, Dr Mick Molloy, consultant in Emergency Medicine and other listeners to discuss…

Today marks 100 years since the foundation of the Irish Free State. Mark Henry, Author of ‘In Fact: An Optimist’s Guide to Ireland at 100’ argues in the Journal.ie today that we’ve come a long way in that 100 years and that Ireland is now one of the very best countries in the world to live in. What do you think? Is Ireland in 2022 worth celebrating? Andrea was joined by listeners on Lunchtime Live to discuss…

Are breastfeeding rooms sending out the wrong message? Or are they a positive move to make people feel more comfortable? Andrea was joined by listeners to discuss the use of breastfeeding rooms...

Are school uniforms holding children back from sports and other activities? A new report recommends changes to ‘strict, inflexible’ school uniform policies. Would you like to see school uniforms replaced? Andrea was joined by listeners to discuss…

A new report from the Department of Health shows that Ireland’s population is aging faster than anywhere else in Europe. According to the report, Ireland’s changing demographics will remain “the singular challenge we face when planning our health service into the future”. With this in mind, should we be raising the retirement age? Adrian Kennedy was joined by listeners to discuss...

Egg freezing is on the rise in Ireland, but should there be some funding provided by the government? Adrian Kennedy was joined by Therapy Fertility’s Medical Director, Dr. John Kennedy and listeners Nicole, Laura and Sarah to discuss…

Scotland are holding a consultation that will look at proposals to ban the promotion or advertising of alcohol. Would you like to see something similar done here? Adrian Kennedy was joined by Christina, who is a recovering alcoholic, Cathal O’Donoghue, Co-Founder with Rascals Brewery and other listeners to discuss...

New research shows that 4 in 10 parents want their kids to end up in a trade rather than an office-based job but why do we hear of so few young people entering trades? Andrea was joined by tradespeople and parents to discuss...

We continue our ‘Buying Irish’ series today, with thanks to Champion Green, Ireland’s Support Local Campaign. Champion Green and Lunchtime Live are encouraging local people to support local business and jobs this Christmas. This week, Irish presents! Andrea was joined by Amy Orr, CC Creatives, Julie from Jando, Michelle Ryan from Marketstreet.ie and Sheelin Conlon from The Kind…

On Tuesday night, demonstrators continued to block traffic as they marched from the ESB building being occupied by asylum seekers to the nearby Port Tunnel. Andrea Gilligan went down to speak with residents and protesters. More listeners joined Andrea live on the show today to discuss the protests...