Highlights From Lunchtime Live

On yesterday's we heard from Richard, a Texan living in Ireland, who spoke about why he carries a knife to feel safer. We got a big response to the discussion and Adrien was joined today by listeners who were in touch with the show to share their thoughts on carrying weapons.

After raking in €1.2 billion in tolls over the past decade, there are calls for M50 charges to be scrapped. Aontu leader Peader Toibin is among those leading those calls, and he joined Adrien and listeners who were in touch with the show to discuss why the government should consider making journeys free.

Lunchtime Live listener Grace was in touch with the show to explain why she hates when people refer to groups of women as 'guys.' She told Adrien she thinks it sexist and wishes people would not do it.

From eye strains to blurred vision, John Weldon President of the Association of Optometrists Ireland answers all your questions eye related questions.

Bruce Springsteen has announced that he is coming to Ireland for his latest tour, however, with €130 the minimum entry price for a standing ticket we ask - Are Irish ticket prices too expensive? Are you better off travelling abroad to see your favourite artists? Image: Rodolfo Sassano / Alamy Stock Photo

Adrian hears from listeners following the horrendous school shooting in Texas. One American who has been carrying a knife for “protection against crime” in Ireland tells Adrian that repealing the US right to bear arms would not end school shootings.

To the outside world, it looked like Clare Shine had the world at her feet. Excelling on the football pitch – a rising star, playing international football and receiving plaudits from all angles. But internally, she was struggling. By age 23, Clare had become addicted to alcohol, experimented with drugs, suffered panic attacks and tried to take her own life. Clare joined Adrien to tell him about her new book ‘Scoring goals in the dark’.

It’s week 8 of our Going Green Series. This week we take a look at green energy and Brian McIntyre, Programme Manager Of High Performance Building Technologies at SEAI joined Adrien to talk through what is out there.

A text in from a listener highlighted the high cost of student accommodation. The listener outlined how about how her son was quoted "750 euro a month for a room in a 7 bedroom house and they have to pay 250 per month over summer months to hold the house.’ Recent figures for Dublin have ranged between €10,000 and €15,000, and Adrien spoke to students who were struggling to deal with the high price of rent. 

Cork locals are worried about antisocial behavior on some of it’s bus routes. Reports of Drunken and disorderly teenager are causing great concern and Fianna Fail Councilor Audrey Buckley joined Andrea to explain what's been happening in Crosshaven.

Barbecues are back so many of us are looking to put a bit of shape into their garden. Garden Designer Diarmuid Gavin and Plantsman Paul Smyth have teamed up on a new book which aims to help and they joined Andrea with some tips for anyone looking to smarten up their garden for the summer months.     Listen and subscribe to Lunchtime Live on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify.      Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.     You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.

Rent continues to be an increasingly chronic issue across the country, and is no longer restricted to the typical urban areas. Anna, Mary and Ola are residents of a housing estate in County Sligo, who have each seen their rent increase by approximately 70%, effectively overnight. They joined Andrea to discuss their shock and dismay at the current rental situation.   Listen and subscribe to Lunchtime Live on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify.      Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.     You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.

Snoring is an issue that affects many people around the country and those that might have to sleep next to them. Sleep expert Deirdre McSwiney joined Andrea with tips on how best to handle a soring problem.   Listen and subscribe to Lunchtime Live on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify.      Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.     You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.

Linda Buckley was in touch with the show to share her story of her mother who, was a foundling baby abandoned in the UK at just a few days old in 1939. She died not knowing who she was. It was a secret that tormented her for her whole life. After her death Linda and her sisters did a simple DNA test and found her birth family.     Listen and subscribe to Lunchtime Live on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify.      Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.     You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.

Stark figures today about the lack of dog fouling fines being issued by County Councils around the country – with some councils issuing no fines at all over the past 5 years.  Fianna Fail Councilor Keith Connolly and Fianna Fail Councilor Keith Connolly joined Andrea and listeners to discuss why are people not getting fined for not cleaning up after their dogs. Listen and subscribe to Lunchtime Live on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify.      Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.     You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.

Claudia Carroll, Actor, author & playwright in Dublin, Tina Koumarianos, Etiquette expert and Aideen Crowley Dynan, Speech Teacher all joined Andrea on the show for today's #TheBigDebate to find out - are curse words bad? Listen and subscribe to Lunchtime Live on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify.      Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.     You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.

Andrea was joined on the show today by a number of listeners including Fred who is a self-employed contractor who says "young people are bone lazy". It is after an article in the Irish Times that states that a  shortage of apprentices in the construction sector is due to the reluctance of young people having to get out of bed for 7am. Listen and subscribe to Lunchtime Live on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify.      Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.     You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.

What is the most ridiculous lie you’ve ever told or ever heard? Author Seamus O’Reilly joined Andrea on the show after he tweeted about this the other day and we’ve been knocking great craic out of it. Listen and subscribe to Lunchtime Live on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify.      Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.     You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.

Author Sheila O’Flanagan recently tweeted about how male Authors describe women in books – so how do women feel about men writing about them? Sheila joined Andrea on the show to discuss. Listen and subscribe to Lunchtime Live on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify.      Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.     You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.

Every week, we give you the chance to get access to an expert- this week, we put your health insurance questions to Dermot Goode from Totalhealthcover.ie. Listen and subscribe to Lunchtime Live on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify.      Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.     You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.