Highlights From Lunchtime Live

Plans for a crackdown on motorists who have held provisional licences for years, and sometimes decades, have been delayed over fears of a knock-on effect on waiting lists for driving tests.A briefing from the Department of Transport said any dramatic change on how many learner permits a person could hold would lead to “a surge of applications” for driving tests on an ‘already overburdened testing system”.Figures from the Road Safety ­Authority show more than 67,000 drivers are on their third learner permit or later.Is this the right approach by the Department?To discuss, Andrea is joined by Brenda Bolger from the Bolger School of Motoring, as well as listeners.

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

Apparently, Ireland is seeing a rise in bed bugs.And the surge we’re seeing is expected to last until Christmas. So, where has this come from?Andrea is joined by Trevor Hayden from Complete Pest Control to discuss.

Should parking at universities be phased out to help us reach climate targets? Under the State’s Public Sector Climate Action mandate, universities will be required to phase out the use of car parking for most staff and students in areas where there is a range of public transport options.What do you think of this?To discuss, Andrea is joined by Miranda Bauer, President of the UCD Student Union, Fine Gael Cllr Alan Tobin, Brian Caulfield, Professor in Transportation in the Dept of Civil Engineering in Trinity College Dublin and more to discuss.

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. It’s something none of us want to think of, but luckily, there are great charities like Childhood Cancer Ireland to help us if this ever darkens our door.One area not covered on the show before is what it’s like for families after treatment.To discuss, Andrea is joined by Dr Mairead Brennan, Principal Clinical Psychologist and Director of Psychosocial Services at Childhood Cancer Ireland as well as parents who have had to bring their children through treatment.

This is Lunchtime Live’s Big Batch. Every Monday we’ll be learning new easy to cook batch recipes to keep you eating well. No more staring into an open fridge looking for inspiration!This week, Andrea is joined by Siobhan Berry, from @mummycooks on Instagram, to look at some great breakfast ideas, from smoothies to muffins!Follow the hashtag #LLBigBatch for all our recipes.

Are you working from home at the moment?Staff who only want to work from home face the prospect of lower pay and benefits, as employers increasingly favour getting back to pre-Covid work practices.55% of Irish employers have said they were “very likely” to introduce different pay and benefits for people who attended the office regularly compared to those who worked completely remotely.What do you think about this idea?To discuss, Andrea is joined by Larissa Feeney, Founder and CEO of Kinore, Ireland's First Online Remote-First Finance and Business Services Firm, John Evoy, General Manager of Grow Remote, Caroline Reidy from the HR Suite and more.

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 Gilligan was joined by OnlyFans creator Meghan O’Neill to answer your questions.

Avid golf fan Danny Rooney had his wish come true when he got to hit a few balls with legend of the game, Padraig Harrington at the Irish Open last weekend.Danny and his mum Vicki join Andrea to discuss how this all came together.

Leader of Sinn Féin and TD for Dublin Central, Mary Lou McDonald, joined Andrea in the studio to discuss her life recently, including the loss of her father, and her husband’s cancer diagnosis.

Ireland AM turns 25 today! The morning TV show first aired on the 20th of September 1999 and has been through many changes over the years. Andrea went to Virgin Media Television Studios to catch up with some special guests as well as current presenters, Muireann O'Connell, Tommy Bowe and Alan Hughes – who has been with the show from the beginning.Image: @IrelandAMTV on X

From Potholes to rare eggs, Breakfast briefing Presenter Shane Beatty has plenty of stories you might have missed from across the country this week.

The Federation of Irish Sport have called on the government to introduce tax benefits for gym membership ahead of the budget.They raised the proposal 'with a view to incentivising personal exercise amongst the wider population.' And to attempt to reduce 'the ever-increasing issue of obesity in this country.'What do you think about the idea of tax benefits for gym membership?To discuss, Andrea is joined by Karl Dunne, Chief Executive of Ireland Active, Liam Morley Brereton, Coach at St Bridget’s Boxing Club, Edenderry, John Belton, Owner of No.17 PT, Human Performance and Wellness Coach and more.

Storage is an issue in so many homes, whether you’re looking to fill it, create more, or hide it.Well, the Home Squad are here to help with your storage questions! Guest host Adrian Kennedy is joined by Roisin Lafferty, Founder and Creative Director of Roisin Lafferty and Sarah Carroll from Sand and Deliver DIY to discuss.

The ISPCA has issued an urgent appeal for dog adoptions.They have almost 200 dogs in their care and say they’re running out of space…Adrian Kennedy is joined by ISPCA CEO Dr Cyril Sullivan to discuss more.

Bill Linnane, writing in the Irish Independent, recalls:‘Looking back, it's odd we bought my daughter dolls and prams while the boys got toy guns, swords and Lego’.All of the toys that he bought his boys were geared around adventure, creating and exploration while the ones he bought for his daughters were centered around nurturing, family and domestic life.So, how big of an issue is buying 'gendered toys'?Adrian Kennedy is joined by listeners and toy shop owners to discuss.

Presenter Davina McCall, now 56, but divorced (for the second time) at 50, has been talking recently about dating a little later in life.She is returning to present the ITV show ‘My Mum, Your Dad’ in which middle-aged singles are thrown together in a house. She said that besides some difficulties and a steep learning curve, it can be a fulfilling experience.But, what is dating like in your 50s and beyond?Guest host Adrian Kennedy is joined by Matchmaker Mairead Loughman from Love HQ as well as listeners to discuss.

From the Cannes Film Festival to the Battle of the Sexes, Ciaran O’Connor from 98fm joins guest host Adrian Kennedy to look back on the biggest things that happened this week…

Should every city in Ireland follow Cork’s lead and have Community Wardens to deal with parking and littering offences?Cork City Council has had them since 2008 and say that they are extremely effective, so what’s stopping other cities employing them?Guest host Adrian Kennedy is joined by Fine Gael Councillor in Cork Shane O’Callaghan as well as listeners to discuss.

For this week’s Ask the Expert, Andrea Gilligan is joined by Colm Kieran, Funeral Director with Kieran Bros. Funeral Care and former Spokesperson for the Irish Association of Funeral Directors to answer all of your funeral-related questions.