Highlights from Lunchtime Live

Should we introduce fines for people who conduct loud conversations on public transport?In France, a man was recently fined €200 for using his speakerphone on a train station concourse…Joining Andrea to discuss is Gina London, Communications Expert and Sunday Independent Columnist as well as listeners.

Lunchtime Live's Reasons to be Happy looks at some of the news stories that you might have missed that will leave you feeling more optimistic.98FM's Cathal O'Sullivan joined Andrea in the studio to put a smile on your faces…

Most teachers think schools should not prepare pupils for church sacraments.That is according to a survey by the Irish National Teachers' Organisation (INTO) which found that just 4% of primary school teachers believe it should be the school's responsibility to prepare children for Communions, Confirmations and first confessions.What do you think?Should religious sacraments preparation be taken out of schools?Andrea is joined by listeners to discuss.

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 discuss what can act as a barrier to conception.

Ireland is seeing a surge in gold investment, driven by economic uncertainty, inflation fears, and a growing desire for financial security.Andrea is joined by David Higgins, Head of Trading at Merrion Vaults, to find out what's behind this gold rush, why more Irish people are turning to precious metals, and what it means for investors today…

Sharon Osbourne has called for Kneecap's US work visas to be revoked…At the end of their Coachella set, they put pro-Palestinian messages up on the big screen behind them.Sharon Osborne has said they took their performance to a different level by incorporating “aggressive” political statements.She said - after witnessing their performance during the first weekend, that allowing them to perform again the following weekend suggests support for their rhetoric and a lack of due diligence.Are artists and celebrities free to make political statements? Or, are they meant to entertain, and nothing else?Joining Andrea to discuss is Alan Buckley, the Head Tour Guide at the Irish Rock ‘N' Roll Museum Experience, Journalist Saoirse Hanley, John Brereton, Grand Social PR Manager & Director of the Dublin Bowie festival and listeners.Image: @KNEECAPCEOL on Twitter

For this week's Ask the Expert, Andrea is joined by Adam Buckley, Tattoo Artist in Wildcat Tattoos and Matt Noble, Senior Laser Technician at Dundrum Cosmetic Clinic to answer any of your questions on tattoos, as well as tattoo removal!

If you're like Andrea and somehow have a lot of leftover Easter chocolate in the house – we're here to help!What recipes can you make out of them?Joining Andrea to discuss is Baker Graham Herterich, ‘The Cupcake Bloke'.Image: Hamiltons Chocolates

With the recent death of Pope Francis, we're asking: does it still matter to people in Ireland — and is Ireland still a Catholic country?Whether it is your faith or identity, how much has really changed?Joining Andrea to discuss is Father Paddy Byrne, Parish Priest of Abbeyleix, Raheen & Ballinakill, John Hamill, from the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster and listeners.

According to new research, making changes to conserve water will lessen those energy bills...Fitting water-saving devices in your home could save you up to €300 a year!Joining Andrea to discuss is Professor John Gallagher from Trinity College Dublin, who co-wrote this report, Pete the Builder and Research & Policy Lead with the National Water Forum, Dr Triona McGrath.

It's How I Live Well time! Where someone joins to discuss what they do to improve their life…This week, Andrea is joined by Trish Greene, the Dublin Reflexologist to talk all things reflexology!

Dublin Bus services have been withdrawn from the Mountjoy Square area of Dublin after a bus driver was threatened by a man holding what appeared to be a gun.SIPTU has instructed its member drivers to withdraw services until union representatives meet with management to agree actions to improve safety. Are you worried about safety on buses?Andrea is joined by listeners to discuss.

With the weather (sometimes!) improving, you will probably be looking to get your garden summer-ready.Well, the Home Squad are here to help you regain that green thumb!Andrea is joined by Jenny Sheehan, Irish Examiner Columnist and former winner of ‘Home of the Year' and Brian Burke, Woodie's DIY & Garden Expert and RTÉ Super Garden judge to discuss.

Can we actually change who we are? Is it possible to reshape your personality?Psychologist Dr. Brent Roberts is known for his research on personality change, and joins Andrea to discuss.

Castletown House, the large public land around Celbridge and Leixlip, is still caught in a battle between the locals and the OPW.There has been a long running stand-off at the heritage site in Co Kildare.Locals have maintained a presence at the entrance to Castletown House since September 2023, which had resulted in the majority of OPW staff not accessing the site.The protests began after an entrance and car park near the M4 was closed to the public and to OPW staff by the private owner of the land.So, will a resolution be reached?Andrea is joined by local Soc Dems Councillor Claire O'Rourke, as well as local listeners, to discuss.

Have you ever heard of financial dysmorphia?A lot of us wish we were better with our finances then we are, but could you be living with this without realising?Joining Andrea to discuss this is Financial Expert, Eoin McGee.

Stepmothers are portrayed negatively in more than two-thirds of films, a study has found. Does this affect dating? Are women avoiding single fathers as potential partners?And what preparations should a family and a new partner make?Joining Andrea to discuss is Mairead Loughman, Matchmaker in Love HQ Mullingar, Katriona O'Sullivan, Psychologist & author, Jim McKee, artist & single parent and Karen Kiernan, CEO of One Family.

A tax on hotel guests is planned by four Dublin councils...Dublin City Council, Fingal and South Dublin county councils have all signed up to the proposed working group, while Dún Laoghaire Rathdown is close to doing so. Will this be off-putting to visitors and bad news for tourism?Joining Andrea to discuss is Paul Gallagher, CEO of Irish Hotels Federation. Michael Lennon, Director of Skylon Hotel in Dublin, Eugene Garrihy from Dublin Bay Cruises, Seamus McGrattan, Sinn Féin Dublin City Councillor as well as listeners.

Aldi is starting to sell wine in aluminum bottles; would you drink it?It has a smaller carbon footprint than glass and could get cold a lot quicker too.Joining Andrea to discuss is owner of the Nude Wine Company, Michelle Lawlor, Director of SIP wine cans Phil Ellison and Tara O'Connor from The Designed Table.

Lunchtime Live's Reasons to be Happy looks at some of the news stories that you might have missed that will leave you feeling more optimistic.98FM's Cathal O'Sullivan joined Andrea in the studio to put a smile on your faces…Image: Warner Bros

Today, we're talking about something many people experience, but rarely discuss: the guilt that comes with moving away from home. Whether it's for college, work, or a fresh start, leaving family behind can bring a mix of freedom and emotional weight.Joining Andrea to discuss is Manon Gilbart, Journalist with the Irish Examiner and listeners who have left the country.

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 discuss what the steps are if you are having difficulty conceiving.

Do we shower enough? One Spanish TikToker who spent time living in Ireland was astonished at how little we bathe our children and ourselves!Nacho Barrueco told his followers he had noticed that Irish people seemed to bathe less in comparison to those in Spain...“The kids came to class dirty, with the paint from the day before, with two band-aids on their heads… and I thought, damn, it seems they don't bathe!''So, is he right?To discuss, Andrea is joined by Jen Hogan, Journalist with the Irish Times and Aesthetician Eavanna Breen.

From next year, a new EU directive on pay transparency is set to come into force in June, where employers will no longer be able to ask job candidates about their current salary.And, when advertising job vacancies, employers will have to give a range.Is this a step in the right direction?Do we need greater pay transparency?Joining Andrea to discuss is Columnist with the Irish independent Mary McCarthy, Louisa Meehan from Woodview HRM, Professor of Sociology, Trinity College Dublin Richard Layte and listeners.

Hay fever, or allergic rhinitis, affects around 1 in 4 people in Ireland: roughly 1.25 million individuals, including many children. With symptoms peaking from spring through late summer, it can seriously impact daily life, especially in urban areas where pollution may worsen reactions.So, how does hay fever affect people in Ireland and what can be done to manage it better?Joining Andrea to answer your questions for this week's Ask the Expertis Joyce Clegg, CEO at The Allergy Clinic…

How much fun do you inject into your life?Apparently 89% of Irish people feel they are just “going through the motions”.Joining Andrea to discuss how they have fun is Today FM Presenter, Alison Curtis and Stylist Laura Mullet.

Women using HRT won't be reimbursed despite the fact that the medication was supposed to be made ‘free'.Free HRT was supposed to come into effect on January 1st, but it has been delayed in a row between the Government and pharmacists. Today, a new date of the 1st of June was announced.Joining Andrea to discuss this is Loretta Dignam, Founder & CEO of The Menopause Hub, Sheena Mitchell, Pharmacy Owner and Health Advocate at WonderCare.ie and Catherine O'Keeffe, Menopause Workplace Consultant.

A Senator in Limerick is calling for consumer protection for concert tickets if an artist fails to fulfill their onstage commitments.Fine Gael Senator Maria Byrne joins Andrea to discuss, along with listeners.

It's How I Live Well time! Where someone joins to discuss what they do to improve their life…Pinball has seen a passionate revival in recent years, and at the heart of this resurgence are community-driven clubs keeping the silver ball spirit alive. Andrea is joined by Donovan Delaney, Founder of Pinbaile: a pinball club that's become a hub for players of all ages and skill levels!Image: @pinbaile on Instagram

The number of people travelling from Ireland to the United States fell by 27 per cent in March when compared to the same month last year, figures show. The trend is the same across many other EU countries, caused by Donald Trump's administration and ongoing trade tensions…To discuss, Andrea is joined by Daniel Mulhall, former Irish Ambassador to US, Patti Shields, Chairperson of Democrats Abroad, Mary McKenna, Tour America and Jenny Maguire, Trinity College SU President and Trans Activist.

Dr Niall Breen from the Portmarnock GP Clinic joined Andrea Gilligan to tackle your medical queries.

Celebrations went on late into the night last night in Holywood after Rory McIlroy became the first Irish man to win the US Masters, and the 6th ever golf player to achieve the career grand slam.Newstalk Reporter Henry McKean is in Holywood, and joins Andrea to share what he's seen.Image: Reuters

Future increases in the national minimum pay for workers could be put back due to global economic insecurities. The living wage plan, as well as pension auto-enrolment could be delayed as the Government will instead concentrate on boosting competitiveness in light of rising international trade tensions.Does it all make sense?Joining Andrea to discuss is Nessa Cosgrove, Spokesperson on Workers Rights with the Labour Party, President of the Cork Business Association and owner of the Herlihy Centra Group Kevin Herlihy and Robert Thornton, Research Manager at Cincentian Minimum Essential Standard of Living Research Centre and member of the Living Wage Technical Group.

Today, Jeff Bezos' latest Blue Origin space expedition lifts off, carrying an all-female crew: which includes pop star Katy Perry.It's a landmark trip in terms of gender representation, but is it of any benefit to humankind, and is it just an obscene display of wealth?Joining Andrea to discuss is Space Reporter and Writer Niamh Shaw, Rory Fitzpatrick, CEO of the National Space Centre and John Gibbons, Environmental Journalist and Commentator.Image: Blue Origin

Welcome to The Pod Squad!We review podcasts every week so you always have something new to listen to.Newstalk's Technology Correspondent Jess Kelly and Host of the ‘No Encore' Music Podcast Dave Hanratty join Andrea to review ‘The Banksy Story Presents: When Banksy Comes to Town'!Image: BBC

There has been plenty of talk over the last number of weeks about people socialising on Drury Street.But, should we be embracing this sort of socialising rather than condemning it?Joining Andrea to discuss is Town Planner Derek Whyte, owner of Drury Buildings Ronan Rogerson, Fianna Fáil Cllr Michael John Crowe, Newstalk's own Katie Gallagher and more.

For this week's Ask Me Anything, Kevin Keyes, Irish & British Superbike Champion, joins Andrea to answer any of your questions when it comes to being a motorbike racer!

Today marks World Pet Day, and surprisingly, one in ten Irish dogs have a social media account…Do you have one?Joining Andrea to discuss is 98fm Producer Russel Alford, father to Hamilton the Frenchie (@hammyfrenchie on Instagram) and Laoise Downes, owner of Outpaws and Wedding Woofs, a bespoke dog service.

According to the Irish Film Classification Office (IFCO), they have received complaints of children as young as three being admitted to movies in Limerick and Dublin that featured 'beheadings and throat-cutting'. Where does the responsibility lie? Is it up to the cinema to enforce the classification, or the parent / guardian who's in charge?Joining Andrea to discuss is Dr. Ciaran Kissane, Director of Film Classification in the Irish Film Classification Office, Mark Anderson, Director of the Omniplex Cinema Group, Ollwyn Moran Neuro Developmental Therapist & Founder of COGNI Kids as well as listeners.

Ryanair's baggage policy has long been a point of contention for travelers across Europe. With strict limits on free carry-on items and added fees for larger bags, the airline says it's keeping costs low and flights on time.But, critics argue it's confusing and costly for passengers.So, what are Ryanair's baggage rules? Do they work, why are they in place, and what do they mean for travelers?Joining Andrea to discuss is frequent flyer Conor Wilkinson, Ciara Mooney, frequent flyer and Travel Agent and Travel Blogger Tara Povey.

From a budgie in a beer garden to Turkey hotel heroics, Breakfast Briefing Presenter Shane Beatty joins Andrea with plenty of stories from around the country this week!

Apparently, young people think they've more hope of getting a council house, than ever being able to afford one themselves.How has the housing situation gotten this bad?What can we do to help young people?Joining Andrea to discuss is Charlie Weston, Irish Independent Personal Finance Editor, Newstalk Reporter Barry Whyte, Clement Herron from Clement Herron Real Estate as well as listeners.