Highlights From Lunchtime Live

Only two children in need of urgent spinal surgeries have been treated abroad.This is despite a legal instruction to the HSE to provide all children with scoliosis the option to travel.So, what has gone wrong?Andrea is joined by affected parents to discuss.

Every day, we’re hearing more rumours about who might be the next President.Could it be Joe Duffy? Or maybe it’ll be Mairead McGuinness? Could the rumours of Packie Bonner be true?Joining Andrea to discuss is Adrian Kavanagh, Geography Lecturer at Maynooth University and John Lee, Executive Editor at The Irish Daily Mail.

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 Arctic Monkeys’ ‘Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not’!

Sinn Féin TD Conor D. McGuinness has called for the Irish national anthem to be taught in schools across the country.He criticised the Government’s failure to prioritise this, describing it as "...a clear sign of how little respect this Government has for Ireland's republican heritage." Deputy McGuinness argued that the national anthem is "a basic expression of national identity and civic belonging" and should be part of every young person's education.Should learning Amhrán na bhFiann be mandatory in school?Andrea is joined by listeners to discuss.

Former Leitrim Hurler Zak Moradi has risen to fame for his hurling career. His new documentary, which airs on RTE One this evening, shows a different side to the GAA star.  Zak Moradi was born in a refugee camp in war-torn Iraq during the Gulf War. His family made the conscious decision to flee to Ireland where he found his love for hurling and made a name for himself in the world of GAA.  Zak joins Andrea to discuss.

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 Big Breakfast Co-Host Rebecca Shekleton joined Andrea in the studio to put a smile on your faces…Image: @EFprocycling on Twitter

Families visiting Dublin Zoo are frustrated by a new exit route that forces them through the gift shop, putting added pressure on parents to avoid impulse buys after a long day.While some see it as a push to boost sales, the zoo likely relies on retail income to support rising operational costs.What do you think? Is this new location necessary, or is it just added pressure for families?Joining Andrea to discuss is Editor of Cork Beo, Joe O'Shea, Katie Makk from the Opinions Matter podcast, as well as listeners.

Every Wednesday afternoon, we’ll be talking Making Babies.Andrea will be joined by Obstetrician and Clinical Director at the Rotunda, Vicky O'Dwyer 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, Vicky joins Andrea to talk about bonding with your baby.

And Just Like That, the Sex and the City reboot has been getting a lot of mixed reviews since it first went on air in 2021, with many of its die-hard fans slating it for making a mockery of the original.Many say that the show just isn't the same without the iconic Samantha Jones, played by Kim Cattrall, even with her one minute appearance at the end of the first season, for a reported $1 million.Joining Andrea to discuss this further is TV Editor for the Sunday World, Deirdre Reynolds and Rory Cashin, Entertainment and Culture Journalist.

Temple Bar has been named the third biggest tourist trap in the world.The complaints against it are the prices, the dirty streets and being overcrowded.We often hear complaints about the cost of a pint there, or of the mess on the streets, so how do we sort it?Joining Andrea to discuss is Declan O’Brien, Chair of The Temple Bar Resident’s Association, owner of Rory's Fishing Tackle, Mary Harkin, Travel Writer Melaine May and more.

For this week’s Ask the Expert, Andrea is joined by Corinna Tolan, Co-Owner of Monica Tolan Skin Experts, multi-award-winning Facialist and Ultraceuticals Expert Advocate to answer any of your questions when it comes to minding your skin!

Cork Singer Claudia Rose Long Maguire led emotional tributes to Diogo Jota at a Liverpool friendly game yesterday.She joins Andrea to discuss.Image: Reuters

Today is the final day for GAA Palestine to get visas for Palestinian children to travel to Dublin next week.A team of 33 children and 14 mentors were due to travel to Ireland for a summer tour this Friday 18 July, but were denied entry.So, what has happened to get to this point?Andrea is joined by Stephen Redmond, GAA Palestine Founder, to discuss.

Sinn Féin are calling for more support to be given to women suffering with endometriosis. It comes as 1 in 10 women suffer with this deliberating illness and feel they do not get any support when it comes to both diagnosis and treatment.Uachtaráin Shinn Féin Mary Lou McDonald will host a public meeting today to discuss the motion.Would these government supports help those suffering with endometriosis?Joining Andrea to discuss is Deputy Medical Director and Fertility Consultant at Beacon CARE Fertility Dr Bart Kuczera, Serena Massey, former CEO of Endometriosis Ireland, Singer-songwriter RuthAnne and listeners.

Social media influencers are renowned for working hard, securing their brand deals and promoting content on their platforms.However, AI influencers are now starting to hijack social media platforms and do the same job, claiming numerous followers and setting unrealistic aesthetic expectations for followers.What does it mean for content creators and their followers when AI influencers take over?

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 Counsellor and Psychotherapist at My Mind Lindita Vani to discuss the benefits of therapy.

Over the last 25 years the structure of households has changed.The 2022 Census found that 23% of households contain just one person, around 426,000 people. That’s a leap higher from 15% at the 1996 Census.So, should single people get extra support to get on the property ladder?Joining Andrea to discuss is Independent Economist David W Higgins, as well as listeners.

Dr Sumi Dunne, GP in Laois, joined Andrea Gilligan to tackle your medical queries…

Businesswoman Sharon Bannerton was close to death after getting sepsis from a mosquito bite.The PR boss described how she was ‘an hour from dying’ when she caught double pneumonia and blood poisoning, taking 12 months to recover from the health scare…Sharon joins Andrea to tell the whole story.

Rural pubs have fallen in the past 20 years with more than 2,000 pubs closing their doors. It is believed that a further 1,000 are due to face the same fate in the next decade, with little to no government intervention to help them stay open…Have local pubs in your area closed down, and what can be done to help them stay open?Joining Andrea to discuss is Offaly TD, Cllr John Clendennen, Co-owner of Charlie’s Bar in Enniskillen, Una Burns, Owner of JJ Hough's, Ger Hough Conor O’Neill from The Glyde Inn and CEO of Irish Rural Link, Seamus Boldan.