Highlights From Lunchtime Live

Every Friday, we search for the definitive answer to some of the most burning questions in The Big Debate. Today, you gave us an answer to the question - ‘Are staycations better than foreign holidays?’

All this week on Lunchtime Live we have been talking about how treatment for cocaine use among young people in Ireland has increased by 171% between 2011 and 2019. The report from the health research board found that Ireland now has the second-highest proportion in Europe of 15- to 24-year-olds who have used cocaine. Adrian Kennedy spoke to listeners who were in touch with the show to discuss their experiences and observations of Ireland's drug culture.

Those of you who are tuning in every week to the latest of Sally Rooney’s novels to be adapted to the small screen will notice one of the lead actors in Conversations with friends has a questionable Dublin accent. Joe Alwyn who plays Nick in the Lenny Abraham-directed TV series is not the first non-native actor to have struggled with the Irish accent. John Fardy, Presenter of Screentime talked us through some of the most memorable Irish accent fopaux.

With Pride Month celebrations already well underway here in June, the strides made around inclusivity in this country are to the forefront. However, there are still certain areas of our society where we still have quite a long way to go. Conor Bredin recently addressed the INTO Congress to relay the challenging experiences faced by openly gay teachers in schools with a Catholic ethos and he joined Adrian Kennedy on the show this afternoon.

The Banking & Payments Federation Ireland's Payments Monitor for the first quarter of 2022 showed that cheque payments were at an all-time low earlier this year. As we move towards a cashless society, what are some of the advantages and drawbacks of waving goodbye to notes and coinage? Is cash dead?! Padraic Kissane, Financial Advisor, Jess Kelly, Tech Correspondent at Newstalk, Amanda Cassidy, Journalist & author and Stephen Deasy, CEO at Bear Market Coffee in Dublin all joined Adrian Kennedy on the show.

With dynamics around remote and hybrid working seemingly set to shift forever in the coming months, Caroline Reidy, Managing Director of The HR Suite joined Adrian to explore your queries around rights in the modern workplace.

As the contentious Saudi-backed LIV Invitational Golf Series gets under way today, Irish Golfer Graeme McDowell has conceded that it is "polarising" but said he's proud to be part of the new event. The controversial event sees 48 players competing for an eye-watering $25m prize pot. Kieran Cunningham, Chief Sports Writer with The Irish Daily joined Adrian to discuss if athletes make a morale stand when the worlds of sport and politics collide.

Madonna has finally chosen the actress who will play her in the upcoming biopic about her life. Julia Garner has been handpicked to play the “Like a Prayer” songstress. Madonna is recognized globally as a pop icon who has built a legacy that transcends music and Bill Hughes, Producer and Director at Mind The Gap Films joined Adrian to discuss the cultural impact she had.

In Ireland over 40,000 people have a severe nut allergy but the medical care to treat this condition is seriously under resourced. Lisa Nolan whose 12 year old daughter Hallie lives with severe food allergies joined Adrian to discuss the challenges Hallie faces on a daily basis.

Yesterday on the show we were talking about how treatment for cocaine use among young people in Ireland has increased by 171% between 2011 and 2019 The report from the health research board found that Ireland now has the second-highest proportion in Europe of 15- to 24-year-olds who have used cocaine. Andrea spoke to listeners who were in touch with the show to discuss their experiences and observations of Irelands drug culture.

The Leaving Cert time is upon us as exam season gets under way this week. Students are already in the midst of things, but it can also be a stressful time for parents trying to maintain calm in stress filled households. Psychologist Peader Maxwell joined Andrea with tips for negotiating the leaving cert period and what to say to best support students.

A new survey shows that 1 in 3 people don’t know how much a funeral costs. With the average amount in and around €6000, John Lowe, the money Doctor joined Andrea with advice on financial planning for the end of life.

Treatment for cocaine use among young people in Ireland has increased by 171% between 2011 and 2019. A new report from the health research board has found that emergencies caused by drink and drug-taking among young people are on the rise, with an alarming spike in cases involving cocaine. Andrea spoke to Ciaran Carey Former Limerick All Star Hurler, HR expert Damien McCarthy and Taxi driver Michael, about the prevalence of drug use and if its time to bring in drug testing in work places.

Lunchtime Live listener, Andy, emailed into the show about his struggle to find a venue for his upcoming wedding. Andy was due to get married on Saturday and had booked a hotel, however was told two weeks ago that the minimum number for guests was 80 and they could not go ahead with the wedding they had planned. He told Andrea him and his fiancé are still hoping to get married in the Kerry area on Saturday and hopes someone will reach out with a venue that might be available.

Listener Betty was in touch with the show to discuss her experience of the toilets at the Van Gough exhibition at the RDS. She told Andrea she went in to find there was no toilet seat, the bowl was dirty and there wasn’t anywhere to hang her coat or bag.

It’s week 10 and the final week of our Going Green Series, where we want to help you live a bit more sustainable. This week Paul Smyth, Gardener and Plantsman joins Andrea to discuss sustainable gardening.

Galway Woman Shirley McEntee joined Andrea to warn people about the dangers of using sunbeds and her own experience of skin cancer.

A new survey by Newstalk launched on The Pat Kenny show this morning has found the average monthly creche cost in Dublin has gone up by over 20% since Newstalk carried out a similar survey in 2018. Andrea was joined by listeners who in touch with the show to discuss if tax credits could be a way of easing costs for women.

A new book ‘The Truth about Love’ sets out to reframe how we look at love and the different types of love we have in life. Author and Meditation teacher Conor Creighton joined Andrea to discuss how modern love has become confusing and how that confusion has made us miserable, lonely, and desperate.

A new survey by Newstalk launched on The Pat Kenny show this morning has found the average monthly creche cost in Dublin has gone up by over 20% since Newstalk carried out a similar survey in 2018. The National monthly average for childcare, according to the survey, is €746 a month. But the research found that 16 out of the 26 counties actually have lower averages than in 2018. Andrea was joined by listeners who shared their experiences of childcare costs and what impact they have on their career decisions.