Highlights from Lunchtime Live

It's time for The Health Reset! Where an expert joins to answer any of your health-related questions.This week, Andrea is joined by Dr Niall Breen from the Portmarnock GP Clinic to answer your medical questions!

Have neighbourhood Whatsapp groups lost the run of themselves?In an article in the Independent UK, writer Oliver Petter wonders how the humble group chat for neighbourly business went from a necessary utility to an emotional dumping ground…What is your experience?Joining Andrea to discuss is Newstalk's Technology Correspondent, Jess Kelly, as well as Esther O'Moore Donohoe, writer and podcaster.

On the show last week, Andrea spoke to parents of children with autism. They gave their day-to-day experiences of navigating life with their children and the lack of support and resources available to parents who are facing this daily reality.More people have gotten in touch to share their own experiences, and to talk about what they would like to see going forward…

Last week, Andrea spoke to some parents who are struggling to get school bus tickets for their kids.As the academic year approaches, many parents are facing no choice but to drive their kids to school each morning.Today, Andrea speaks with more parents on this issue…

Are you determined to finally get on top of your finances once and for all?For many, looking at your bank account is something you dread, but how should we best manage what's coming in and what's coming out?For this edition of Money Matters, Andrea is joined by Paul Merriman of Ask Paul to discuss everything you need to know about mortgage interest rates and their impact!

Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly has condemned what he has described as the "reckless behaviour" of motorists driving on the wrong side of motorways. He added that in some cases this form of dangerous driving is being carried out for "social media likes".What more needs to be done about social media trends around driving?Joining Andrea to discuss is Dr Elizabeth Farries, Director of the UCD Centre for Digital Policy, Trina O'Connor, host of the ‘Real Lives Untold' podcast and Newstalk Reporter Jessica Woodlock.

We continue a county-by-county journey across Ireland, exploring all 32 counties that make up this remarkable island. Have you been to some of these places and hidden gems?Today, Andrea is joined by Travel Content Creator Tony Smyth to find out what the best things to see and do are in County Dublin!

Earlier this week, Andrea spoke to Sophia Murphy. She was the victim of abuse at the hands of her father throughout her childhood and both her parents are serving prison sentences for what she went through…For more on this, Dr. Ian Marder, Associate Professor in Criminology at the School of Law and Criminology in Maynooth University, joins Andrea to explain how the restorative justice process works…

If you're saving for a wedding you will know that they are expensive events, but would you expect the parents of a couple to contribute to the big day?And should family members chip in?Andrea is joined by listeners to discuss.

What a night for Irish Athletics last night with Mark English winning gold and Rhasidat Adeleke taking silver!Joining Andrea to give their reactions is Chris McNulty from Finn Valley Athletics Club and Cecil Johnston, Tallaght Athletics Club PRO.

Breakfast Briefing Presenter Shane Beatty joined Andrea with a roundup of some of the stories from across the country this week.

Yesterday on the show Andrea heard from Dervla Burke O'Connor on her son Paul's autism and how it has impacted both her and her son's life. Today, more parents join to speak to more parents who are in a similar situation…Are the supports there for parents of children with autism, and what more needs to be done to help?

Do you have a spare room in your home? What should you do with it?This week, the Home Squad are here to discuss spare rooms and what your options are!Joining Andrea to discuss is Jenny Sheehan, Co-Host of ‘Rip it up: The Renovations Podcast' (@workerscottage on Instagram) and Jenny Butler, Interior Architect & Design Director of Jennifer Anne Interior.

Are you facing returning back to work after maternity leave, and how are you feeling?Whether you're dreading it or looking forward to the return to routine, it is certainly a daunting prospect for many new mums…Andrea is joined by listeners to discuss.

Dervla Burke O'Connor, who many of you will know as part of the band Crystal Swing with her mum Mary and brother Derek is with Andrea on the line today.Dervla has had to put her music career aside to care for her son, Paul, full time. She discusses her experience…

We've decided to do a deep dive on some of our favourite albums to explore the stories behind them.What did the artists really think of each other? Where did the inspirations from the songs come from?Joining Andrea to discuss is Alan Buckley from the Irish Rock ‘N' Roll Museum Experience, who's going to talk through the Tom Petty album ‘Full Moon Fever'!

Spending in secondhand shops such as vinted has surged 200% in the past year, but is it all good?You hear the Vinted horror stories, the smelly clothes, unusual packaging and things just not looking the way they're supposed to.Joining Andrea to share their experiences is Elaine Power, host of the ‘What's Trending in F1?' podcast, Stylist Justine King and Pat Kane.

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…

According to new research, European children are in worse physical shape than at almost any point in the last 60 years. The study has shown that children and adolescents in Europe are not reaching adequate levels of physical fitness in terms of strength, flexibility and body composition and, as a result of this, it will impact them in later life…John Belton, head coach and owner of No.17 PT and listeners join Andrea to discuss this.

A recent HSE breakdown has revealed that people in Ireland spent a record €17.76 million on car parking at public and voluntary hospitals in 2025. That's up from €7.39 million in 2021, an increase of 140% in just four years.But, for people who are already dealing with illness, treatment or supporting a loved one, is the cost of hospital parking adding unnecessary financial pressure and stress at an already difficult time?Have you spent a fortune on hospital parking? Has the cost added to the stress of going to hospital? And should hospital car parking charges be scrapped altogether?Joining Andrea to discuss is Deirdre Bonass, skin cancer survivor of basal cell carcinoma Siobhan O'Neill Whyte from mams.ie and more.

While most babies in Ireland are born in hospital settings, some women choose to give birth at home with the support of specially trained community midwives.So, what does a home birth involve?For this week's Making Babies, Andrea is joined by Community Midwife Jean Kavanagh to discuss this and answer your questions!

(This conversation contains references to sexual assault and rape.)Sophia Murphy was just an infant when her father started abusing her.65 year old John Murphy, a former member of the Defence Forces, and formerly of Nephin View Manor, Foxford, Co. Mayo, was sentenced to 18 years for indecent assault, sexual assault and rape in 2018.It's now nearly 5 months since Sophia's mother, Jacqueline Curran, was sent to prison for failing to act to protect her from that abuse. She was jailed for 18 months after pleading guilty to two counts of child cruelty for wilfully failing to protect her daughter.Sophia Murphy joins Andrea from Thailand, where she's now living, to discuss how she is feeling today…If you or someone you know has been affected by sexual abuse, please remember the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre 24-hour Helpline is open: 1800 77 8888www.drcc.ie

For this week's Ask the Expert, Andrea is joined by Barry Kenny from Irish Rail to answer any of your train-related questions!

Tomorrow night, many of us will be transfixed by the solar eclipse which is due to be visible here, but people are being warned to be careful...Joining Andrea to discuss is Professor Peter Gallagher, Director of DIAS Dunsink Observatory and Caoimhe Lyons, Science Facilitator at the Blackrock Castle Observatory.

Wexford parents have said they are at the mercy of Bus Éireann as children have been denied tickets for the school bus ahead of the upcoming term.Parents are now scrambling for ways to ensure their children can make it to school each day…Listeners with this problem join Andrea to discuss.

Last week, a text from a listener was sent in, saying she has been struggling with endometriosis from a young age, and the pain is so bad it inhibits her ability to work, yet she doesn't qualify for disability benefit…She joins Andrea to share her story.

Entertainment News Content Creator Holli Breslin joins Andrea with the things you don't want to miss this week!Image: Apple TV

According to an advocate for victims of sexual violence, children should be taught about consent from preschool age and given the choice of whether they want to hug or have physical contact with someone.Children should be given a choice when it comes to their personal space. For example, if a child doesn't want to hug someone, whether that person is a parent, relative, or family friend, they shouldn't be forced to do so…Would you agree with this? Do you think children as young as preschool age should be taught about consent and personal boundaries?Joining Andrea to discuss is Council of Europe's Group of Experts on Action against Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (GREVIO) and Professor in the School of Law in UL, Ellen O'Malley Dunlop, Chairperson of the Federation of Early Childhood Providers Elaine Dunne and more.

It's time for The Health Reset! Where an expert joins to answer any of your health-related questions.This week, Andrea is joined by Dr Nina Byrnes, GP at Generation Health Medical Clinic, to answer your medical questions!

Are we at risk of losing sing songs?Podcaster from ‘I'm grand Mam' PJ Kirby posted a video saying that the sing song is dead! He was at a wedding, and nobody had a party piece for the end of the night…Joining guest host Clare McKenna to discuss this is Stylist Laura Mullet and Danny McElhinney, Music Journalist with the Irish Mail on Sunday.

More women are choosing to undergo breast reduction surgery, with recent figures from the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) showing that breast reduction and implant removal procedures now outnumber breast implant surgeries.So, what's behind this growing trend? Are women seeking relief from chronic pain and discomfort, improved mobility, or simply making a choice that feels right for their health and wellbeing?Joining guest host Clare McKenna to discuss is Consultant Plastic Surgeon and Oncoplastic Breast Surgeon, Ciara McGoldrick and listeners.

We've been enjoying the good weather over the past month or so, but spare a thought for farmers who are watching the drought kill their crops, and affect their livestock.Darragh McCullough, Farmer and Broadcaster, joins Clare McKenna to discuss.

Are you determined to finally get on top of your finances once and for all?For many, looking at your bank account is something you dread, but how should we best manage what's coming in and what's coming out?For this edition of Finance Matters, guest host Clare McKenna is joined by Paul Merriman of Ask Paul to discuss the impact of compound interest, and why it matters.

New figures today show the burglary hotspots in the country, with those living in Dublin and Louth most likely to be the victim of a break in, while Roscommon is the safest county...Have you experienced a burglary, and how did it affect you?Guest host Clare McKenna is joined by listeners to discuss.

We continue a county-by-county journey across Ireland, exploring all 32 counties that make up this remarkable island. Have you been to some of these places and hidden gems?Today, Andrea is joined by Travel Content Creator Kevin Penrose to find out what the best things to see and do are in County Down!

What do our attitudes around debts and taking out personal loans say about our personality?Is there a specific type of person who borrows more? Does it make us risk adverse?Joining Andrea to discuss is Denis Finbarr Cronin, aka Digital Dinny and Caz Mooney, Irish Budgeting Influencer.

22-year-old Danielle McElroy has severe endometriosis. It has gotten so bad that she has recently lost the ability to walk.Danielle is largely confined to bed as she cannot wash, dress or move herself without help…She joins Andrea to share her story.

Being asked to be a bridesmaid or groomsman is a huge honour, but it can also come with a big financial, emotional and time commitment. For some, especially those who've done it more than once, saying "yes" isn't always an easy decision.So, is it okay to say no when a loved one asks you to be part of their big day? Have you ever turned down a place in a bridal party? If so, why, and did it affect your relationship?Joining Andrea to discuss is Sarah-Jayne Tobin from DMG Media, Wedding Planner Lindsay Moynagh and Humanist Wedding Celebrant, Ruth Scott.

Breakfast Briefing Presenter Shane Beatty joined Andrea with a roundup of some of the stories from across the country this week.

With the good weather drawing crowds to beaches across the country, the debate over dogs on our beaches is back.For some, dogs running around can spoil a day at the seaside, especially when beaches are busy with families and swimmers. Others believe beaches are the perfect place for dogs to get some exercise and that responsible owners should be free to bring them along.So, where do you stand? Are you fed up with seeing dogs on the beach when you're heading for a swim, or do you think they're welcome as long as owners clean up after them and keep them under control?Joining Andrea to discuss is Freelance Journalist and dog owner Andrea Smith, Dog trainer and behaviorist Samantha Rawson, Fine Fáil Cllr Sligo Donal Gilroy and more.

Are you looking for a way to sort out your food pantry and don't know where to start?This week, the Home Squad are here to discuss pantries and food storage!Joining Andrea to discuss is Jenny Sheehan, Co-Host of ‘Rip it up: The Renovations Podcast' (@workerscottage on Instagram) and Hazel Burton from The Home Reset.

With the warmer weather comes an increase of some unwanted and often painful guests...Mosquito season runs from May to October when the weather gets warmer, but it hits its peak in July and August.But, why do we get bitten by mosquitoes, and how do we avoid them? Joining Andrea to discuss Dr. Michel Dugon, a Zoologist at the School of Nature Sciences at the University of Galway.