Highlights From Lunchtime Live

What is it like to be gay in rural Ireland? LGBT Ireland is aiming to expand Pride events into rural towns to improve Ireland as a country for members of the community. Did you come out in rural Ireland? What was the experience like? Andrea was joined by Paula Fagan, CEO LGBT Ireland, Paul and Ciarán to discuss...

The Cabinet is to approve a scheme to repair Celtic Tiger apartment defects which could cost the State up to 2.5 billion euro. Housing Minister Darragh O'Brien is bringing the memo which will cover fire, structural safety and water caused defects on apartment buildings and duplexes built between 1991 and 2013. It means that the redress scheme for apartments alongside the upcoming redress scheme for those affected by mica could cost the state over 5 billion euro. Andrea was joined by Pat Montague, spokesperson with the Construction Defects Alliance, Andrew, Sam and other listeners to discuss…

Andrew Tate is a controversial social media character, with many saying he is stoking hatred of women, while others argue that he is misunderstood in his views. Are people concerned about the influence he has on young men in Ireland? Andrea was joined by listeners; Annette, Robin, Edward, Ben and more to discuss... Image: Twitter @Cobratate

The Oireachtas Health Committee is to discuss the issue of bullying within the health service. It'll discuss the health, safety and wellbeing of frontline health care workers with trade unions. TD and Sinn Fein's Health Spokesperson David Cullinane joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live to give an update on the situation...

Gardai have been travelling on buses to Tallaght in recent days to tackle anti-social behaviour there. Do you feel safe on public transport around Ireland? When you get the bus to work? Or the Luas late at night – are you ever worried? Are Transport Police needed on all public transport? Andrea was joined by James a bus driver in Dublin, Damien a retired bus driver and other listeners to discuss…

Andrea spotted an interesting post from a woman online which has gotten quite a reaction. It reads: ‘Having gone from a size 18 to an 8 in my twenties, to now post baby being a 14, I can confirm that this is the size at which you become invisible and can visibly irritate some strangers (men) by making small talk with them.’ What do you think? Can weight gain make you feel invisible? Andrea was joined by Sinead, Alice and Nicola to discuss on Lunchtime Live…

Should you be allowed drink during a sporting match? The IRFU have released survey findings that show that 68% of those asked said they would not support a booze ban in the Aviva stadium. What do you think? Andrea was joined on Lunchtime Live by listeners to discuss...

With schools back in full swing, households all over the country are getting back into their routine, how big a part does homework play in that routine? Is it something that takes up a big part of the evenings? Or does it fit easily into the afternoon after school? Andrea was joined on Lunchtime Live by listeners to discuss…

Lunchtime Live received an email from a listener working in the health service who had been discouraged by senior management from partaking in online discussion around bullying in the health service. The issue was raised last week on the show and the response has been phenomenal. Gino Kenny, People Before Profit TD for Dublin Mid West joined Andrea to discuss…

Last year more than 1,500 social housing offers were refused. New figures obtained by Newstalk show the number of people declining a house is rising, since 2019. At least 420 people have been suspended from their waiting lists for refusing more than one offer. Is it fair that people can be kicked off waiting lists for refusing social housing offers? Andrea was joined by Peter Dooley from the Dublin Renters Union and Nick Killian, Independent Councillor and Chairperson of Ratoath Municipal District to discuss..

Lunchtime Live has been inundated with nurses and healthcare workers sharing their stories and experiences of workplace bullying in the HSE. Sinn Fein Health Spokesperson David Cullinane said he’s going to raise the issue in the Dail, but what are the unions doing about it? Phil Ní Sheaghdha, General Secretary with the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation joined Andrea on the show to discuss…

Should wine come with a health warning? Italy’s largest farmers’ association have strongly voiced their concerns about Ireland’s plans for what they’re calling “alarmist” health warning labels on wine. Do you agree with the labelling? Would it affect your wine consumption? Andrea was joined on Lunchtime Live by Michelle Lawlor from The Nude Wine Company, Dr. Sheila Gilheany, CEO of Alcohol Action Ireland and listener Greg to discuss…

At least nine anti-asylum-seeker protests are due to take place at different locations around the country from 5pm today. Do you support the protests? Or is there a better course of action to air your views? Andrea was joined by listeners to discuss if they support the protests...

A secondary school in the UK has banned any physical contact between pupils – including hugs and handshakes – and has also outlawed any romantic relationships among their students. Hylands School in Essex says the move encourages pupils to ‘behave professionally as any future employer would expect.' Andrea was joined by listeners on Lunchtime Live to discuss…

Lunchtime Live continues to receive reports from listeners of bullying in the HSE. Tadgh, a former clinical nurse manager and Jennifer Foster, from the Better Working Life campaign joined Andrea on the show this afternoon...

David Cullinane, TD and Sinn Féin Health Spokesperson joined Andrea Gilligan on Lunchtime Live to discuss the ongoing bullying in the health service and what Government can do in in response...

An 64 year-old Irish man has been on hunger strike in an Iranian prison since January 1st. Bernard Phelan believes he’s being held there as a political pawn and denies all the charges the Iranians have held against him since His sister Caroline Phelan joined Andrea on the show to discuss.. Image: Twitter Bernard Phelan @MasMingou

Users of long term prescription medication say they feel like their lives are being messed with amid the current medicine shortages. There are currently 216 medicines running low or out of stock in Ireland. They include common over-the-counter remedies like dry cough syrups, sore throats sprays and lozenges. But they also stretch to long term medication that people rely on on a regular basis. Andrea was joined by Gary Boyle, who is living with Parkinson's disease, Kathy Maher, Community Pharmacist from Haven Pharmacy in Duleek, Co Meath and Julie to discuss…

Ann-Marie O’Sullivan is writing in today’s Irish Independent: ‘I erased every single one of my children’s photos online: here’s how and why to delete your kids from social media.’ Ann-Marie joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live to discuss why did she decided to remove her children’s photos from online…

Kate, a former nurse spoke yesterday on the show about her experience of bullying in the health service. Overnight, Lunchtime Live received a number emails from staff highlighting the issue further. Olivia, a senior clinical therapy manager and Barbara, a retired nurse joined Andrea on the show to discuss...