Highlights From Lunchtime Live

Irish peacekeeping troops in Lebanon came under fire yesterday from Israeli forces.Tánaiste and Defence Minister Simon Harris described the incident as “utterly reckless” while on The Pat Kenny Show earlier today…The incident happened as he announced the renewal of Ireland’s UNIFIL Mandate for another 12 months – but is the region still safe for our troops?Joining Andrea to discuss is Gerard Craughwell, Independent Senator and former member of the Defence Forces, Mark Keeley, former Defence Forces, Tom Barry, retired Commandant with the Defence Force and Raymond Murphy, Professor at the Irish Centre For Human Rights in NUI Galway and former UN Peacekeeper.

With the bank holiday ahead of us, and hopefully a lovely summer ahead – we wanted to give you some much needed holiday inspiration!What are some of the more quirky or unique places to stay around the country?Joining Andrea to talk through them is Roie McCann from Clare Island Lighthouse, Derval Haughey from Teapot Lane, Lorna Williams from River Valley Holiday Park and Orla Conroy from Barrow Barge Hire.

From Cork culinary wins to rural social woes, Breakfast Briefing Presenter Shane Beatty joins Andrea with plenty of stories from around the country this week!

France is introducing a bold new smoking ban, extending to parks, beaches, and near schools - aiming for a tobacco-free generation by 2032.But, should Ireland do the same?Joining Andrea to discuss is Professor Luke Clancy, Director General of the Tobacco Free Research Institute Ireland, Ian O Doherty, Columnist with the Irish Independent, Green Party Councillor for Wicklow Erika Doyle and more.

t’s fair to say the weather hasn’t kept up its end of the bargain lately, we’ve had one too many summer showers and cloudy days!So, how do we make our indoors feel like outdoors, when that’s where we want to be?The Home Squad is here to talk about it!Jenny Sheehan, former winner of ‘Home of the Year’ who you’ll know on Instagram as @workerscottage & Róisín Lafferty, Founder & Creative Director of Róisín Lafferty Design House join Andrea.

What does it take to become an Irish citizen?Last year, over 5,000 took part in the citizenship ceremony that’s coming up in a few weeks.But, what does it involve?Joining Andrea to discuss is two people who know the process: Gina London and Maria Dickenson.

A listener contacted the show recently detailing how they have been plagued by poor customer service in recent years.How big of a problem is bad customer service, and should it be a consumer right?Joining Andrea to discuss is Conor Pope, Consumer Affair Correspondent at the Irish Times.

Are dickie-bows and ties a thing of the past, should children have the option to wear tracksuits, or should we stick to tradition and discipline?Joining Andrea to discuss is Rachel Harper, Principal of St. Patrick’s National School in Greystones, Barbara Ennis, Principal, Alexandra College Dublin and more.

We’ve decided to do a deep dive on some of our favourite albums to explore the stories behind them.What did the band really think of each other? Where did the inspirations from the songs come from?Joining Andrea to discuss is Newstalk’s Showbiz Reporter Emily Keegan, who’s going to talk us through the latest Taylor Swift project: ‘The Tortured Poets Department’...

Today, we're talking about a growing tension on roads — fast-moving cyclists and unsuspecting walkers. In The Irish Times, Kathy Sheridan writes, 'I have nothing against cycling, but spare me from speeding cyclists on country paths…’So, are cyclists arrogant?Andrea is joined by listeners to discuss.

On the show, the topic about the pain of losing a parent, or a child, has been covered before. But, something not touched on as much is the grief that comes with losing a friend…It’s something most of us will have to go through at some stage of our lives.Joining Andrea to discuss is Oona Frawley, author of ‘This Interim Time’, Kathie Stritch, from Grief Ireland and Grief Psychotherapist, Liz Gleeson.

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…

Many young Irish people are still heading to Australia in search of a better life. Lately, an increasing number are choosing to work in the mines, hoping to save up for a mortgage. But, with the cost of living on the rise, the question is: Is Australia still the land of opportunity? Is the grass still as green as it once seemed?Andrea is joined by some of those young people living over there to discuss.

Every Wednesday afternoon, we’ll be talking about Making Babies.Andrea will be joined by Professor Shane Higgins, Master of the National Maternity Hospital 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, Shane joins Andrea to discuss the importance of diet and exercise during pregnancy…

A new survey by Lipton Ice Tea has revealed that half of us are terrified of dancing in public. Nearly 6 in 10 say that they “actively avoid” social events where they know music will be playing. And when it comes to busting a move, it's Gen Z who feel the most self-conscious about hitting the dance floor.Joining Andrea to discuss is Newstalk’s Technology Correspondent, Jess Kelly and Dr Peter Lovatt, AKA Dr Dance, Director of Dance Psychology at Movement in Practice.

Today we’re talking about Dublin’s new permanent night-time welfare zone, a space aimed at supporting vulnerable people in the city centre after dark.Why is it needed, and what impact could it have?Joining Andrea to discuss is Ian Redmond, owner of Hyde, Mark Dunne, SETU Students Union President and more.

For this week’s Ask the Expert, Andrea is joined by Professor Karen Boland to discuss and answer any questions about Inflammatory Bowel Disease, or IBD.

Pavlo Bogachenko has been living in Ireland for two years now, and while he loves the humor of Irish people, there’s one thing that still throws him off: how indirect we can be. As a Ukrainian used to calling things as they are, Pavlo says navigating Irish politeness can feel like decoding “50 shades of great”...Decisions take longer; feedback is softer, and let’s be honest - sometimes no one wants to say what they really mean. Why are Irish people indirect? Do we need to learn to toughen up a bit?Andrea is joined by listeners, including Pavlo, to discuss.

Last week, an independent audit raised serious concerns about how hip surgery procedures were carried out, and the oversight involved by Children’s Health Ireland…This week, parents are being told only one parent is allowed to be present at the follow-up assessment for their child.Why is this the case, and why are parents being let down?Andrea is joined by some of those affected to discuss.

Ever wondered what it would be like to marry into a farming family when you’re not from that world? How quickly could you embrace the 4am starts and early morning milking sessions?Do you think you’d be able to do it?Andrea is joined by listeners who made that jump to discuss.