Highlights From Lunchtime Live

With January bringing blustery weather, you’re probably feeling the cold a lot more.So, are there things we can do to our homes that might help, without breaking the bank?For this week’s Ask the Expert, Andrea is joined by Brian McIntyre, Programme Manager at SEAI to answer all of your questions!

You hear very different information about whether or not coffee is good for you.There’s a new report out today saying that one cup in the morning is the ideal time, and is better than not drinking any at all.So, what’s true?Shelly Gray, Dietitian, joins Andrea to discuss.

Snow and Ice continue to disrupt the whole country today…To hear more about the effect this weather has had in areas around the country, Andrea is joined by Newstalk’s Henry McKean, Cllr. Charlie Farrelly, Father Iggy O’Donovan, Journalist Édaein O' Connell and Kieran Donaghy from the Tralee Wanders Basketball Club.

Buskers on Grafton Street say they fear for livelihoods as apartments there have been given the go ahead.They are concerned that noise complaints will target them if people are living nearby.So, should they be protected?To discuss, Andrea is joined by Francesco Parodi, a busker on Grafton Street and Andy Kavanaugh from the band Keywest.

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.Today FM’s Cathal O’Sullivan joined Andrea in the studio to put a smile on your faces…

Parents should get priority over child-free colleagues on booking annual leave – particularly when children are off school.That’s according to Freelance Journalist Rhiannon Picton-James who was chatting to Newstalk earlier today...What do you think?Should parents get priority booking annual leave over their child-free coworkers?Andrea is joined by listeners to discuss.

Welcome to The Pod Squad!We review podcasts every Tuesday so you always have something new to listen to.This week, host of the ‘For Tech Sake’ podcast Elaine Burke and Tom Douglas from Newstalk’s Newsroom join Andrea to review ‘Bone Valley’!Image: Lava For Good

New proposed bylaws for soup kitchens have caused a lot of controversy with volunteers in the sector…There are plans to draft ‘soup kitchen’ bylaws to end groups setting up unregulated services like hot meals to homeless people.The council said it wants food services to be provided in safe, regulated, indoor settings.To discuss, Andrea is joined by Lorraine O’Connor from the Muslim Sisters of Éire and Glenda Harrington, the Founder of Friends Helping Friends, an outdoor soup kitchen in Dublin City centre.

You may have heard it on Newstalk Breakfast this morning: despite the government promising the rollout of free HRT to women of all ages – that there has been a delay, seeing patients paying up to €70 for HRT products.What are your thoughts? Is this delay reasonable given that this had been in the works for some time?Andrea is joined by listeners to discuss.

We all know the extra stress that can come with catching a flight, ensuring a suitcase isn’t overweight, that toiletries and liquids are removed from your case, and that all medication is appropriately packed with a prescription visible... Well, even when following this checklist, Andrea’s guest encountered an issue. Dolores Pickering, whose husband Brian, is buried in Ireland, was returning home to visit her husband’s grave with her son for Christmas…Her son, Jason, suffers with anxiety and uses medical cannabis to alleviate the symptoms. Having traveled with it previously and declaring it upon arrival at any given destination airport, Jason has been asked to produce his prescription certifying the medical use of cannabis… However, on their visit here last Christmas, Dolores says they were interrogated, with the medicinal cannabis confiscated and destroyed in Dublin Airport…Dolores, as well as Peter Reynolds, Chair of the Ireland Working Group of the Cannabis Industry Council, join Andrea to discuss.

It’s How I Live Well time! Where Andrea Gilligan is joined by someone to discuss what they do to improve their life.This week, Andrea is joined by Karen Belshaw from Stress Management Ireland to give her best tips on recognising and handling the biggest points of stress in our lives.

You may have seen videos and photos of people around the country enjoying the snow. And, you may have even seen people skiing in various mountains around the country despite calls from Wicklow Mountain Rescue not to do so…Andrea is joined by listeners to discuss the risks when skiing or snowboarding in the Wicklow Mountains, including Independent Cllr in Wicklow Gerry O’Neill and Philip Conroy, EMT for Dublin Wicklow Mountain Rescue.

Dr Niall Breen from the Portmarnock GP Clinic joined Andrea Gilligan to tackle your medical queries.

New York City congestion charges came into effect over the weekend: a car entering Manhattan can expect to pay up to $9 a day.So, is it time some Irish cities like Dublin introduced congestion charges?Andrea is joined by listeners to discuss.

Some families may have grown during the Christmas break – you may have a new four-legged furry friend competing for space on the sofa! But, how do you make sure that your new pet adjusts to their new home?Dawn Greer, Petmania's Professional Dog Trainer, joins Andrea to discuss.

The idea of getting fit in January is not exactly new.But sometimes, it can seem very unobtainable and just like a lot of work after an exhausting Christmas.So, are there things that can make it a little better?Andrea is joined by John Belton, Owner of No.17 PT, Human Performance and Wellness Coach, to find out!

This is Lunchtime Live’s Big Batch. Every Monday we’ll be learning new easy to cook batch recipes to keep you eating well. No more staring into an open fridge looking for inspiration!This week, Paul Knapp, aka @official_firefightingchef on Instagram, joins Andrea to discuss his recipe for ‘Lentil Mother Sauce’, which you can use for many meals!

Reports this morning show that some-60,000 people across the country are affected by power outages – with some others experiencing problems with their water supply also…Andrea is joined by listeners to hear how they were affected.

The president of the Garda Representative Association (GRA) , Garda Mark O’Meara has warned that ‘Over-zealous’ disciplining has left Gardaí afraid to draw their batons, even when in danger,’  Are our Gardaí equipped to fulfill their role fully – what level of force should they be allowed to use?  Photo: Leon Farrell/© RollingNews.ie

We look ahead now to the big cinema releases of the year – with Pop Culture and Entertainment Expert, Deirdre Molumby. Photo by Pixabay