Highlights From Lunchtime Live

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 debunk baby making myths!

Ryanair has launched an exclusive discount scheme for frequent flyers.Ryanair Prime will cost €79 for a full 12-month subscription – they say it could save Irish flyers hundreds of euros.Joining Andrea to discuss is Journalist with the Irish Examiner Cianan Brennan, John Gibbons, Environmental Journalist and Commentator and listeners to discuss.

The Government has been accused of ‘sticking two fingers up’ to the public on a day of Dáil chaos…Yesterday, scenes of unprecedented heckling were witnessed inside the chamber...So, what do you think of what happened in the Dáil yesterday?Andrea is joined by Newstalk’s Political Correspondent, Seán Defoe, as well as listeners to discuss.Image: Paul Murphy

For this week’s Ask the Expert, Andrea is joined by Seanie Clifford, AKA the CV Doctor, to answer any of your CV questions!

How often we should shower depends on factors like skin type, lifestyle, and climate.While daily showers work for some, others may benefit from showering less frequently.But, do we judge people who don’t shower daily?Andrea is joined by Aesthetician Eavanna Breen to discuss.

Lifeguards at one of Dublin’s top beaches have been issued with a dedicated sharps bin for syringes due to the volume of drugs paraphernalia being found along the shore.The latest incident reports compiled by lifeguards at Dollymount, which cover the 2022 and 2023 bathing seasons, recount a persistence of drug use and antisocial behaviour – including a man found to have overdosed in the sand dunes.Logbooks for previous years contained details of bathers being pricked by discarded syringes.So, is drug use and anti-social behaviour an issue on our beaches?Darragh McDonagh, Journalist with the Irish Mirror, Deputy Lord Mayor and Green Party Councillor, Donna Cooney and Dave O’Reilly Chair of Tidy Towns Greystones and listeners join Andrea to discuss.

‘Catch-up’ friendships are those where interactions are infrequent and centered around updates on life events.Often shaped by distance or changing priorities, these relationships can be comforting, but may lack the depth of more consistent connections.So, are you caught in a ‘catch-up’ friendship?Andrea is joined by Sarah Jayne Tobin, Editor with DMG Media, Laura Mullet, Journalist and stylist and Today FM’s Cathal Minogue to discuss.

It’s How I Live Well time! Where Andrea Gilligan is joined by someone to discuss what they do to improve their life.This week, Andrea is joined by Liz Burnell, Aqua Aerobics Instructor, to talk all things aqua aerobics!

Would you ever be tempted to go carless?That’s what Climate Policy Researcher Sadhbh O’Neill said she was planning on Newstalk Breakfast this morning…So, could you do it?Andrea is joined by listeners to discuss.

Dr Nina Byrnes, GP at Generation Health Medical Clinic joined Andrea Gilligan to tackle your medical queries…

Should you pay your children to do household chores?It’s an age-old debate that raises its head every now and then.Some believe it teaches kids about money, while others think it gives them unrealistic expectations...So, what do you think?Andrea is joined by Lisa O’Sullivan Shaw (@modernirishmom on Instagram), Off the Ball’s Adrian Barry and Sinead O'Moore, Host of the Stretchmarks Podcast to discuss.

All trainee teachers will be required to complete work placements in special education settings.The move comes amid a huge surge in autism prevalence in recent years.Latest figures show that about 1 in 20 schoolchildren are being diagnosed with autism – a threefold increase in the last decade.What do you think about this approach? Is it something that is needed?Andrea is joined by Eleanor McSherry, former Head of Autism studies in UCC, David Nugent, Founder of the Kids Coach, Pamela Kenny, Chair of the Tallaght Parents Autism Support Group and listeners to discuss.

Newstalk is proud to partner with Arc Cancer Support again this year.Arc Cancer Services provide support to those who have received a cancer diagnosis, as well as their loved ones.To demonstrate some of the work Arc do, Andrea is joined by Phillipa Lacey Bohannon and her 14-year-old daughter Molly...If you would like to support Arc, their annual fashion show is on March 27th.

Welcome to The Pod Squad!We review podcasts every week so you always have something new to listen to.98fm’s Russell Alford and Laura Donnelly from the Newstalk Newsroom join Andrea to review ‘Call Her Daddy’!Image: Unwell Media

There are calls for ad bans to be extended to non-alcoholic drinks following the advertising of Guinness 0.0 during the Six Nations rugby games.Leading alcohol-safety campaigners say this form of advertising needs to be looked at, as while the 0.0 drink contains no alcohol, it clearly displays the Guinness brand name…What do you think?Andrea is joined by Dr. Sheila Gilheany is the CEO of Alcohol Action Ireland, as well as listeners, to discuss.

For this week’s Ask Me Anything, Movie Director Darren Thornton joins Andrea to answer any of your questions when it comes to making a film!

Mr Price’s recent marketing campaign featuring slogans on vans like 'Fancy a Ride', 'Honk for a Hunk' and 'From Hunk to Hero', which have sparked controversy for being offensive.But, what was the intent behind these slogans, and does the company plan to address the public backlash?To discuss, Andrea is joined by listener Mary, who got in touch with the show about this…

Gardaí are using ‘bait bikes’ in an attempt to catch would-be thieves.This follows an increase in the number of bicycles and motorbikes being stolen across the country.In one operation, in North Dublin, Gardaí deployed a high-end valuable electric motorbike at various theft hot spots.They kept the bike under surveillance – ready to swoop in if anyone attempted to rob it.What do you think about this approach from Gardaí? Could it be part of a solution to tackle bike theft?Andrea is joined by listeners to discuss.

Are there still stigmas around being a single parent?Are you told you’re a hero, but not treated like one?Today is International Single Parents’ Day, and Andrea is joined by single parent and Single Parent Coach at Solas Coaching, Orla Donoghue…

From the stars in Ireland for Patrick’s Day to a bizarre experience for Irish ghost hunters, Breakfast Briefing Presenter Shane Beatty joins Andrea with plenty of stories from around the country this week!