Highlights From Lunchtime Live

Mary Regan passed away on November 29th at the Hillview Nursing Home in Carlow.A statement on Death Notices Carlow said that after Mr Lang passed away, Ms Regan did not have many visitors to her nursing home and has no next of kin. An appeal from the Funeral Director said “Let’s not send Mary off from Carlow alone”.Rory Healy, Funeral Director for Healy Funeral Directors joins Andrea to discuss why he made the appeal, and what the result was like.

The Transition Year has garnered the interest of the international media, as a formative experience for young students. With Oscar winner Cillian Murphy giving his support also to the programme, offering an oasis between junior and senior exam cycles.But, particularly where expense is concerned, has it become too much?Is the cost of another school year worth it? Or should the programme be centrally funded before it properly earns the nickname of a ‘doss year’?Joining Andrea to discuss is Kevin Shortall, Principal of St. Aidan’s Community School, Tallaght, Barbara Ennis, Principal of Alexandra College Dublin and more to discuss.

Over the next few weeks Andrea will be talking to Irish producers across the country about the wonderful things they have on offer, and why it’s important to buy Irish for Christmas!Today, she is joined by Ruth Cahill from Duck Blue, Jill Duggan from Fiesta Designs and Nicola McGuinness from Rowan Beg Designs to talk all things decorations.

It’s How I Live Well time: where we learn how to live a little better from someone who has mastered it!Paddy Joe Burke, Age Friendly Roscommon Ambassador joins Andrea to discuss why exercise is vital as we get older.

Fifth of Irish people think women make up or exaggerate claims of abuse or rape.That is according to a study published by the European Commission on attitudes towards violence against women.It also found that one in seven Irish people believe women are partially responsible for sexual violence if influenced by drugs or alcohol.Why do so many people hold these beliefs?Andrea is joined by Dr Michelle Walsh, CEO of MOVE Ireland, Vera O'Leary, Manager of the Kerry Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre and more to discuss.

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

A new survey has found that one in three people suffer from feelings of self-doubt about their skills. This is also known as ‘impostor syndrome’.Brendan Kelly Professor of Psychiatry at Trinity College Dublin joins Andrea to discuss.

The votes are still being counted across the country, but a clear picture of the General Election results is starting to form.So, who were the biggest winners and losers this time around?Joining Andrea to discuss is Barry Heneghan, Independent TD in Dublin Bay North, Barry Heneghan, Aisling Dempsey, Fianna Fáil TD for Meath West, Shay Brennan, Fianna Fáil TD for Dublin Rathdown, Ciarán Ahern, Labour TD for Dublin South-West, Paul Lawless, Mayo TD for Aontú and Grace Boland, Fine Gael TD for Dublin Fingal West.

With the increased cost of food - and the nature of a Christmas dinner being quite big, should you charge guests to lighten the load on yourself?Andrea is joined by Sarah Jayne Tobin, Editor of rollercoaster.ie and more to discuss.

All this month, Lunchtime Live is doing Christmas specials to give you plenty of time to prepare for the big day, and hopefully batch cook some bits in advance to make Christmas a lot easier!Eric Matthews, Chef Owner of Kickys Restaurant joins Andrea to talk all things starters!

A 9% average increase on taxi fares came into effect yesterday, alongside an increase in booking fees from €2 to €3.Kieran Harte, General Manager of Uber Ireland, told Newstalk earlier that the changes are going to have a negative effect on the night-time economy...What do you think?Andrea is joined by listeners to discuss.

Every Friday, as part of our ‘Ask Me Anything’ series, we put your questions to people from interesting backgrounds or working in different careers.This week, Andrea was joined by Marisa Mackle, former Flight Attendant and author of ‘Confessions of an Air Hostess’ & ‘The Mile High Guy’ joins Andrea to answer any of your flight-related questions.

The busiest shopping period of the year is upon us, Black Friday: an imported American tradition of online shopping which goes all the way to Cyber Monday. Over 1.5 million Irish consumers set to shop online this weekend, so how can we know we’re doing it safely?Joining Andrea to give his top tips is Technology Journalist Andy O’Donoghue.

Are you friends with someone who’s always late? Psychologists have said that perpetual lateness can be caused by multiple factors. So, what are they - and how can lateness be improved? Also, what’s your experience?Andrea is joined by Jen Hogan, Journalist and Columnist with The Irish Times, The Home Show’s Sinead Ryan, Life Coach and author Mark Fennell and more to discuss.

Musician Kate Nash has recently set up an OnlyFans account to help subsidise her tour…She joins Andrea to discuss.

Spice Girls singer Mel B recently posted about her ‘simple skin care’ routine – which includes extreme heat, LED therapy, an ice bath plunge and dancing in the rain. But, does any of it actually work?Professor Caitriona Ryan, Consultant Dermatologist joins Andrea to discuss.

From Galway hitting the silver screen in Denmark to a dip in GAA jersey sales, Laura Donnelly from the Newstalk Newsroom joins Andrea with a roundup of the stories you might have missed from across the country this week.

Would you like to see an outdoor swimming pool in Dublin’s George’s Dock?The Dublin City Lido campaign has released updated designs and images for an outdoor swimming pool at the old dry dock, and says they hope to bring a feasibility study to city council management in the New Year.What do you think? Does Dublin need a lido?Andrea is joined by Alan Robinson from the Dublin Docklands Business Forum as well as listeners.

As the saying goes, a good bed and a good pair of shoes are vital, because if you’re not in one, you’re in the other!With that in mind, the Home Squad are here to help you decipher what the best bed options for you are!Andrea is joined by Jenny Sheahan, Irish Examiner columnist and former winner of ‘Home of the Year' and Arlene McIntyre of Ventura Design to discuss how you can pick the right bed for you.

Have you been to see Wicked yet?It has today been slapped with a trigger warning from the British Board of Film Classification saying it shows bullying and persecuted 'talking animals'.Is this fair?Joining Andrea to discuss is Bella Finn from the Newstalk Newsroom and Newstalk’s Aaron Jordan, who is Ariana Grande’s biggest fan!Image: Universal Pictures