Highlights From Lunchtime Live

We are in the middle of peak season for baby seals being born! With their big puppy dog eyes, it can be hard to resist the temptation to go up to them. But what people don’t realise is this can scare off their mums who then abandon them. Melanie Croce, Executive Director Seal Rescue Ireland, joined Sean on the show to discuss...

There are fresh concerns today about the number of hotel and guesthouse beds being used to house refugees around the country. The Irish tourism industry have said that if something doesn’t change soon, it will have an enormous knock on effect for the sector next year. Adrian Kennedy was joined on Lunchtime Live by Niall Kelleher, Councillor and Mayor of Killarney, Fianna Fail Councillor Cillian Murphy in Clare and Anthony Gray, Owner, Eala Bhan and Hooked Restaurants in Sligo, Chair of Sligo Tourism to discuss…

Are there enough late-night options available for non-drinkers in Ireland? Starbucks Cafe on St Stephen’s Green in Dublin which was apparently the only 24/7 operated in Ireland - has closed its doors. Adrian Kennedy was joined by Vaughan Yates from The Virgin Mary Bar, Lisa Curran from the Virtue Club, a non-alcoholic nightclub operating in Kerry and other listeners to discuss…

Should more be down to protect island communities off the coast of Ireland? New research shows that West Cork islands are 'at risk of the loss of entire communities' due to the housing crisis. Adrian Kennedy was joined by John Walsh, who lives on Bere Island, Máirtín Ó Méalóid, who lives on Cape Clear and Dr Siobhan O’Sullivan, lecturer in Social Policy in the School of Applied Social Studies at UCC to discuss…

Changes being proposed to social welfare would mean people who earn more money would get higher welfare payments if they lose their jobs. The new system would see different welfare payments offered depending on the person’s previous income or PRSI contributions. It is also said that there will be a cap on the maximum weekly payments. Adrian Kennedy was joined by Brid O'Brien, Head of Policy and Media for the Irish National Organisation of the Unemployed, John Barry, from MSS the HR People and listeners Gary, Colm and Dave to discuss…

The Crown, season 5 is released on Netflix today. The series, which dramatizes the lives of the Royal family, has come under fire for bending the truth. Some critics say the show is mainly a work of fiction and have called for disclaimers on each episode Adrian Kennedy was joined by Sinead Ryan, Presenter of the Home Show on Newstalk and Royal Expert, and other listeners to discuss…

It’s been discovered that more than €42m in public funds was paid out in prize money at horse races last year. If you compare that to the combined annual funding for other sports organisations in Ireland like the GAA, the FAI, the IRFU, Special Olympics, Swim Ireland, Athletics Ireland and more, is €15 million. One of the factors that seems to be bothering people is the fact that the owners of racehorses who win the prize money do not have to pay tax on them, but trainers and jockeys do. Adrian Kennedy was joined by Paul Murphy, People Before Profit TD for Dublin South West, Daragh O’Conchuir, Freelance sports journalist and Catherine Woods, vegan and an animal rights activist to discuss…

The No. 1 podcast series hosted by Newstalk’s Court Correspondent, Frank Greaney returns for a second series. ‘Inside the Crime’ investigates the unsolved murder of RTÉ set designer, Charles Self. The new series of Inside The Crime tells the story of Charles Self, a young gay man who was murdered in Dublin 40 years ago. Subscribe now at newstalk.com/insidethecrime or wherever you get your podcasts.

Many parents throughout Ireland are continuing to campaign to be recognised as parents of their children born through surrogacy. Clare McKenna was joined on Lunchtime Live by Emma Meagher, and her sisters, Laura and Victoria. They told their story of how at the age of 17, Emma was told she couldn’t carry children but her sisters and best-friend Leigh, carried Emma’s eggs through surrogacy…

As mid-term is over and we're back to full schooling until the Christmas break, there have been more calls to get rid of homework. Do you do your children’s homework with them in the evening? Does it help in knowing what level your child is on? Clare McKenna was joined by journalist, Jen Hogan, Gemma Maher, Principal of Rathcoole Educate Together National School, Eric, a teacher in Limerick and and Alva in Sligo to discuss…

With a growing shortage of available graveyard space is it time for Ireland to move away from burials and towards alternatives? Clare McKenna was joined by Brid McGowan from Foley & McGowans Funeral home in Sligo and McGowan’s Funeral Directors in Mayo, Darragh O’Callaghan from Shannon Crematorium, Colin Mc Ateer, from The Green Graveyard Company and other listeners to discuss…

Should rich countries pay compensation to vulnerable nations hit by climate change? A June report by 55 vulnerable countries estimated their combined climate-linked losses over the last two decades totaled over 525 billion euro – should richer nations go some way in compensating these losses? That is one item on the agenda at the COP27 UN climate conference taking place in Egypt at the moment. Clare McKenna was joined by listeners to discuss this and the other impacts of climate change and what people can do in the face of the climate crisis...

Hare and Fox hunting season is upon us again, and as happens with every year, there are calls for it to be banned. Fox hunting season starts properly in November, and continues through to March. It's banned in the UK, so is it time we followed suit? Clare McKenna was joined by Aideen Yourell, Spokesperson for Ban Blood Sports, Dickie Power is on the line from the Hunting Association of Ireland and others to discuss...

Stephen Moran, owner of Yeah Burger Restaurant Group joined Claire McKenna on Lunchtime Live to tell her about a good samaritan who saved him from getting a parking ticket. Other listeners got in touch about some random acts of kindness that they have experienced….

Twitter employs 500 people in Dublin, but many of those will be receiving emails today informing them whether they still have a job, or not. Adrian Weckler, Tech Editor with the Irish Independent and Laura Harmon, equality campaigner joined Claire McKenna on Lunchtime Live to discuss Elon Musk's takeover and the layoff's he is imposing...

Thousands of families across the country have started to get their double child benefit this week. As part of the cost of living crisis, this month’s payment will be €480 instead of the usual €240. One woman in today’s papers is saying that since she would probably just spend it on extra Christmas presents, she plans to give the extra money to someone who needs it more. Claire McKenna was joined by Louise Bayliss, Spokesperson for SPARK (Single Parents Acting for the Rights of Kids) and Fergus Finlay, Former CEO of Barnardos and Columnist with the Irish Examiner to discuss…

The shortage of taxis is a topic that we’ve returned to several times on the show. However, a listener, Danny, who is a taxi driver, got in touch with the show about an issue he is having trying to get a grant to make his taxi accessible...

On Lunchtime Live, Andrea has covered the topic of phantom buses frequently. New NTA figures show a jump in scheduled buses that didn’t run. Is this something that has affected you? Andrea was joined by James, a Dublin Bus driver, Eibhlin Seoighthe from the Galway Commuter Coalition and other listeners to discuss…

A quarter of employees have had their accent mocked, criticised or singled out in a professional setting, according to new research. 30% of students cited the same problem in university. Have you ever felt singled out because of your accent? Has it ever proved a disadvantage for you in a work setting? Andrea was joined by Aoife Grace Moore, Political correspondent for Sunday Times Ireland and listeners to discuss…

'I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here' is returning to our screens this weekend. A huge part of the show’s appeal is the horrible trials they’re made do, often being locked into dark passages full of creepy crawlies. However, there are renewed suggestions that live animals shouldn’t be used in any part of the TV show. Andrea Gilligan was joined on Lunchtime Live by James Hennessy, The Reptile Zoo Director and Laura Broxson, Founder of the National Animal Rights Association to discuss...