Highlights From Lunchtime Live

Cabinet yesterday signed off on the list of St Patrick’s day visits for ministers across the globe. As usual, the Taoiseach will travel to the White House to meet President Joe Biden. But should the Taoiseach celebrate our national day in Ireland instead? Andrea was joined by former Government minister, Shane Ross and listeners to discuss...

There are plans to knock down some early 20th century buildings in the Liberties area of the city, to build a new Aparthotel. A number of people aren’t happy saying we need more housing for locals, and that the city has enough hotels as it is. However we regularly hear about the cost of hotels in Dublin, and how it’s often cheaper to go somewhere sunny for a week than it is to stay in the country. So could the answer to this be more hotels? Or do you think they’re ruining the city? Andrea was joined on Lunchtime Live by historian, Kieran Doyle-O’Brien, Catherine McSweeney, Secretary of the Liberties Local Residents Association, Michael Lennon, Director of the Skylon Hotel in Dublin and James Madigan, Stalwart of the Liberties Cultural Association…

40,000 French fans ascended on Dublin City last weekend for the 6 Nations clash between Ireland and France in the Aviva Stadium. But was the atmosphere from Irish fans below par? Andrea was joined on Lunchtime Live by Gerry Thornley, Rugby Correspondent with the Irish Times and listeners to discuss...

People Before Profit TD Gino Kenny has accused the Government of ‘dragging its heels’ when it comes to forming a special committee on assisted dying. He said that when a committee is formed it would be expected to run for nine months, meaning that no recommendations would be made on assisted dying until the end of this year at the earliest. What do you think about assisted dying? Would you like to see legislation to allow it brought in? Andrea was joined by listeners on Lunchtime Live to discuss…

Ireland beat France in a brilliant game in the 6 Nations at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday. Tickets were at a premium but there was frustration for some wheelchair users who had struggled to get tickets. Andrea was joined on Lunchtime Live by Jack Kavanagh, Phillip and William to discuss…

RAG Week kicks off once again in Galway today, starting with Mayo Monday, and the famous Donegal Tuesday tomorrow. Students will be out in their droves, but is it a good or a bad thing for the city? Have college RAG weeks lost their way? Are charities still at the focal point of the events? Andrea was joined on Lunchtime Live by chef and restaurateur, JP McMahon, Sai Gujulla, President NUIG Student Union, Darragh Mullin, owner of the Hole in The Wall bar in Galway City and others to discuss… Image: Twitter @universitytimes

New figures today show that 42 Garda stations in Ireland have no permanent Gardai attached to them. On top of that, almost one in four garda stations around the country have fewer gardaí compared to last year according to an analysis of staffing levels of Garda stations nationwide. Have you been affected by a lack of Garda presence in your area? Do people in rural Ireland feel safe as a result of the lack of Gardaí? Andrea was joined on Lunchtime Live by listeners throughout Ireland to discuss…

Should Ireland introduce mandatory sentencing to tackle crime in the country? Questions were raised during the week about the sentencing of a teenager, who was spared jail, after he was involved in an attack which resulted in a woman having boiling water poured over her. Andrea was joined by Ruth Maxwell, a victim’s advocate, Noeline Blackwell, CEO of the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre and other listeners to discuss…

4,500 have arrived in Ireland since the start of 2023. With a number of hotels planning to return to tourism for the summer, there could be even more people who need somewhere to stay. A few weeks ago on Lunchtime Live, Andrea spoke to several people, all around the country – who said they had large holiday homes that they wanted to offer to house refugees, and that they just couldn’t get a response from the Government. Today on the show, Andrea was joined again by Noel Spillane, owner of the B&B Annascaul House, Charlie, Maurice and Michael to see if anything had changed since we spoke last...

Lynda, a listener, got in touch with Lunchtime Live about some of the sexual education books on the school curriculum and available to teenagers in libraries around the country. Some of the recommended books are part of partnership between An Post and Children’s Books Ireland to present a ‘Pride Guide’ for children. What would you deem to be ‘sexually explicit’ in regards to sex education? Is it better to teach children about all of these things instead of them learning about them from the internet? Andrea was joined by Lynda, Amy, a psychotherapist, Sarah Sproule, sex educator and other listeners to discuss…

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar will meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky today in Brussels. The Ukrainian leader is addressing a special meeting of the European Council after trips to London and Paris. Leo Varadkar said this morning he'll offer Ukraine Ireland's continuing support But are we doing enough? Is Ireland’s neutrality something that needs to be re-examined? Andrea was joined by retired members of the Defence Forces, Tom, Kevin and Michael and listeners Ben and John to discuss…

Are young people ignored in Ireland? New research by The Youth Lab At Thinkhouse reveals that 63% of young people don’t trust in the state to actively govern in their best interests. Andrea was joined by Claire Hyland from The Youth Lab, Councillor Paddy Meade, Niamh, Caillum, Ciarán and Rebecca to discuss...

Should the GAA reverse its cashless ticketing at the gates for games? Aontú and Age Action Northern Ireland is calling on the GAA to scrap its policy of no longer accepting cash for tickets as some elderly people struggle to buy things online. Andrea was joined on Lunchtime Live by Paddy in Donegal, Craig in Swords and Paul Dolan from The Barn in Glenmire...

The priority for the €3.5 billion spending by the Department of Transport this year is the development of local link and town bus services. Andrea had her own problem with public transport recently and she spoke to other listeners about difficulties with public transport is in their area…

There has been a spate of vandalism and antisocial behaviour across the country this week. Spray paint on the ancient Lia Fáil standing stone on the Hill of Tara in Co Meath, damage to the green in Tidy Town winning village Malin in Donegal and the theft of a virgin Mary statue in County Wicklow. Andrea was joined by Councillor Nick Killian, Chairperson of Meath County Council, Andy McGonigle of Malin Development Association and Malin Tidy Towns, Martin McDermott, Fianna Fáil Councillor in Donegal and Eileen in Kilmacanogue in County Wicklow...

Following an Oireachtas Health Committee on Bullying in the HSE this morning, Andrea was joined on Lunchtime Live by Sinn Féin TD and Party Health Spokesperson, David Cullinane to discuss...

An Oireachtas Health Committee on Bullying in the HSE was held this morning following stories raised by listeners on Lunchtime Live. Politicians, General Secretary of the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation Phil Ní Sheaghdha, Dr Clive Kilgallen from the Irish Medical Organisation and representatives from other unions all spoke at the committee this morning. For reaction to this, Andrea was joined by Una and Olivia who experienced bullying in the health service to discuss. Dr Anthony O’Connor, on the Consultant Committee from the IMO also spoke to Andrea on Lunchtime Live...

A decision by Lidl in Navan to refuse service to unaccompanied under-18s has caused a stir locally. Andrea was joined by locals Julia, Thomasina and other listeners to discuss…

Up to 12,000 vulnerable people were denied their disability allowance payments from the State. Louise got in touch with Lunchtime Live to discuss a situation her sister was in a number of years ago…

Figures from the Department of Education show that there are record numbers of teachers on career breaks. With a current shortage of teachers, is it time career breaks were suspended? Andrea was joined by Kieran Christie, General Secretary of ASTI, Simon Lewis, Principal of Carlow Educate Together and others to discuss...