Highlights From Lunchtime Live

As we try and address the climate change crisis, Andrea was joined by Seamus Boland CEO of Irish Rural Link, Conor Faughnan,Transport commentator and listeners to discuss how they would react to being forced to give up their second car.

Jennifer Lopez has announced she will be adding new husband Ben Affleck's surname to her own, making her Jennifer Lopez Affleck. Irish Independent columnist Kirsty Blake Knox, joined Andrea to discuss why more men don't take their wives’ surnames.

This morning pictures of Burrow beach in Sutton showing a massive volume of rubbish left over from yesterday were posted online by photographer Padraig O'Reilly and locals about what can be done to encourage people to properly dispose of their rubbish.

A new campaign called ‘Through my Eyes’ wants to highlight that those with down syndrome can live full and meaningful lives if they are given the opportunity to reach their full potential. Andrea was joined by Charlie O Reilly and Fiona Malone, spokesperson Down Syndrome Centre to discuss the campaign.

Deliberate heading could be completely banned from football for children under 12 in England in two seasons' time. Andrea was joined by Alan Matthews former Irish football player and manager, Aodhan O’Riordan Labour TD and Runs Football Walking Tour, Shane Byrne Former Rugby International and parents to discuss if we should think about introducing a similar ban here in Ireland.

Listener Lorraine was in touch with the show to discuss if the medical card can be cut off by your pension. She joined Andrea and Nat O’Connor from Age Action Ireland joined Andrea to discuss the issue.

Yewande rose to fame in 2019 after appearing on Love Island alongside Maura Higgins and Greg O’Shea. The Dubliner has gone on to use the platform to speak out about issues surrounding racism and mental health. She joined Andrea to discuss her new book ‘Reclaiming’ which hit shelves last week.

Local business owners and members of the tourism sector in Youghal, County Cork have criticised the current refugee housing plan as the local hotels in the area are fully booked out for the foreseeable future, and tourism in the area are suffering. Andrea was joined by Pádraig Hennessy Youghal Chamber of Tourism and Development president, Eoghan O’Meara Walsh Chief Executive of the Irish Tourism Industry Confederation and Kays Flowers Yougha.

A new major revamp of Sex Education will see the Junior Cert curriculum include lessons about pornography. Young teenagers will be taught about porn, the sharing of sexual as well as consent and gender stereotyping. Andrea was joined by listeners to discuss what these changes mean for students and if porn has a place in classrooms.

Whether you’re all about the thumbs up or the crying laughing face – emoji's have crept into our daily life. To celebrate World Emoji Day – our tech correspondent Jess Kelly joined Andrea Gilligan live from Waterford.

When you hear about Waterford, it’s all Blaa, Blaa, Blaa! But we want to know why! Andrea Gilligan went out and about in the Deise to hear about the famous delicacy and why it’s so special to the county.

According to a new survey, 57% of women in Ireland feel obligated to work while sick compared to 34% of men. Fiona Looney columnist for the Irish Daily Mail and Dr. Ebun Josep - Author, Social Justice Activist, public speaker, Diversity & Career Consultant joined Andrea Gilligan on the show.

Did you know that Waterford is home to Ireland’s only Amish Mennonite community?  We’ve all heard about the Amish community but what is life actually life for those who have chosen to dedicate their lives to that faith?  Simon and Dan who live in the Amish Mennonite community in Waterford joined Andrea Gilligan live from the Tower hotel and leisure center.

The highest temperature ever recorded in Ireland was on June the 26th 1887 at Kilkenny Castle…  this record breaker could be broken over the coming days with Met Eireann issuing an urgent temperature warning and a seven-day advisory already in place. So how do we all keep cool and not wilt in the heat? Holistic Gardener and author of First Aid From The Garden, Fiann O'Nuaillan joined Andrea Gilligan on the show with his remedies to keep us cool.

Does Waterford get enough recognition? The sunny southeast and Ireland's oldest city was recently voted the best place to live in the Country – but does is it a bit ignored? Sean Defoe - Bauer Media Political Correspondent & proud Waterford man along with Dr. Aisling O’Neill, ArcLabs and Research Manager at South East Tech University joined Andrea Gilligan live from the Tower hotel in Waterford.

In this week's 'Ask The Expert' Barry Kenny answers all your rail related questions.

Complaints to the Passport Office have increased almost fivefold this year with travellers in many cases experiencing delays in processing their applications. Andrea was joined by a caller who in touch with the show to discuss the issues she has had with applying for a first time passport for her three year old daughter.

Almost 1,700 cyclists were hospitalised due to crashes last year. According to Freedom of Information figures released to Newstalk, that includes nearly 200 children under the age of nine. Andrea was joined by Ciaran Cannon, Fine Gael TD for Galway East, and listeners who had been involved in cycling accidents to discuss if our streets are safe for cyclists.

Odile Le Bolloch, Environmental scientist with the Environmental Protection Agency joined Andrea to discuss how strictly you should adhere to best before and use by dates.

A new hospital has opened in Spain with the sole purpose of treating patients on the long public waiting lists here in Ireland. Around 1,500 Irish patients will get routine planned surgeries each year at the facility. Andrea was joined by listeners waiting for surgeries to discuss if they feel this would be a workable solution.