Highlights From Lunchtime Live

If the kitchen is starting to look a bit old-fashioned, it might be time to give it an upgrade.The Home Squad are here to talk about kitchen renovations!Joining Andrea to discuss is Jenny Sheehan, Irish Examiner Columnist and former winner of ‘Home of the Year’ (@workerscottage on Instagram) & Kate O’Driscoll, @victorianrathmines on Instagram.

Fitness Instructor Donna Dunne got in touch with the show about a harrowing holiday experience, and how travel insurance may not make up for it…She joins Andrea to explain, with Consumer Journalist Siobhan Maguire also joining to discuss.

An announcement has been made to consumers not to eat ready-made meals that have been recently bought in supermarkets due to a listeria outbreak.The contamination of these meals has led to an urgent recall after one adult has died following a confirmed case of listeria infection.With many people living busy lives and turning to these meals as a healthy dinner on the go, can we rely on these ready-made meals in future, or are we better off cooking from scratch?Joining Andrea to discuss is Dr Maire Finn, GP from Ennis Centric Health, Registered Dietitian and Presenter with Today FM Shelly Gray, Adrian Martin, Chef and owner of Wild Flower restaurant in Blackrock and Butcher and owner of Kerrigan's Craft Butchers, Barry Kerrigan.

A listener got in touch with the show this week, frustrated by how complicated the process of setting up power of attorney in Ireland can be. But, what exactly is that?Rebecca Rodgers and Áine Hynes, Senior Counsel at St.John Solicitors joins to discuss.

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 Head Tour Guide at the Irish Rock ‘N’ Roll Museum Experience, Alan Buckley, who’s going to talk through Sinéad O’Connor’s ‘The Lion and the Cobra’!

Debs season is officially underway, with young people celebrating finishing secondary school.But, just how many students are pressured into taking drugs at their debs?Joining Andrea to discuss is Jacqueline Hogge, Rural Affairs Journalist in Irish Country Living, Michael Guerin, Addiction Therapist in Limerick, Alan McCardle, Managing Director of DebsIreland.com and listeners.

The family of a 67 year old woman with a rare disease living in a Cork nursing home have been told to remove her because of their “troubling conduct” after they raised serious concerns about her care.Carol-Ann Murphy developed a rare, but devastating neurological condition about 10 years ago.Her son, Andrew Murphy and his wife Jennifer join me on the line today.Andrew can you take me back before the diagnosis and tell me a bit about your mum...

“Think you know Spain? Think again.”That’s a slogan from a Turespaña campaign this year. It encourages tourists to embrace slower travel in Spain, visiting its “unknown and surprising destinations”.So, why do we go back to the same holiday destinations every year?Joining Andrea to discuss is Sarah Slattery, owner of Travel Expert.ie and Mark Fennel, Life Coach.

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…

Every Wednesday afternoon, we’ll be talking Making Babies.This week, Andrea is joined by Dr Anthony Rafferty, Medical Doctor & Shamanic Healer at Intuitive Health and Patricia Cullen, Founder & Ultrasonographer at OvaScan to discuss if holistic practices can assist in pregnancy at all.

Sad news last night as Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne, passed away at the age of 76.He had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2019…Joining Andrea to look back on the life of this legendary rockstar is Tabby O'Callaghan, former XFactor contestant and Claire Beck from Today FM.Image: Reuters

The Government plans to allocate €1.5 billion for tax cuts in the upcoming October Budget, but €1 billion of that will go toward reducing VAT for restaurants, bars, and cafés from 13.5% to 9%.Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe confirmed the measure aims to support the struggling hospitality sector. However, it leaves just €500 million for all other tax measures.These new plans will significantly be limiting the potential for personal tax cuts at a time when households continue to feel the pressure of the cost-of-living crisis.Joining Andrea to discuss is Deputy General Secretary Responsibility Private Sector, Greg Ennis, as well as business owners and listeners.

For this week’s Ask the Expert, Andrea is joined by Paul Kenny, Ireland’s former Pensions Ombudsman and Course Leader with the Retirement Planning Council of Ireland to answer all of your pension questions!

Research carried out by Oxford professor Dr Tom Crawford has determined that Bon Jovi’s ‘Living on a Prayer’ has been crowned the best karaoke song of all-time.The rock anthem has surpassed Whitney Houston's ‘I Wanna Dance with Somebody’.We want to know, what is your go-to karaoke song?Joining Andrea to discuss is Drag Queen, Davina George and Presenter with Spin 1038, Michaela Hayes.

Some families have witnessed sudden and unexplained regression in their loved ones with Down Syndrome.These can be things like a loss of communication, mobility, or daily living skills.So, why is this happening, and what help is there?Joining Andrea to discuss is Deputy Pete Roche, TD for Galway East, Gina Grant from Down Syndrome Ireland and listeners.

With the summer season well and truly upon us, many people are setting off on their holidays. Some by car, others by plane but are many people exploring Ireland by boat?With so many waterways across the country, what is it like to travel by boat across the country?Joining Andrea to discuss is Alex Goor, General Manager at Killary Fjord Boat Tours, Catriona Walsh, owner of Lough Key Boat Tours and Mike Clinton from The Shannon Boat Owners Club page.

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 Mary Bishop, Head of Education at ‘Grow it Yourself’ to discuss the benefits of growing your own vegetables.

Almost 20,000 people have signed a petition calling on the Government to stop tenancy agreements banning pets, after a 112% increase in surrenders to Dogs Trust.So, should pets be allowed in rental properties?Joining Andrea to discuss is Ciara Murrin, Head of Communications at Dogs Trust, Maurice Deverell, Landlords Member of Irish Property Owners Association and more.

Lactation Consultant, Breastfeeding and Formula Feeding Specialist Katie Mugan joined Andrea Gilligan to tackle your medical queries…

There was frustration for a recent Bus Éireann passenger waiting for the early-morning bus service from Sligo to Dublin Airport, as the bus did not stop at its designated bus stop in Castlebaldwin Village.Maura joins guest host Anna Daly to discuss what happened.