Highlights From Lunchtime Live

Should people who drive bigger cars have to pay more to park them? It’s one idea being floated by Dublin City Council, to disincentivise people from driving higher polluting cars into the city. Is it further punishing people who need to use bigger cars for work? Andrea was joined on Lunchtime Live by Brian Caulfield, Associate Professor, Civil Struct & Environmental Engineering, Donna Cooney, Green Party Councillor for Clontarf and others to discuss…

Residents in Balbriggan are objecting to the construction of a new playground in the local area because they fear it’ll attract antisocial behaviour. Andrea was joined by residents Paul and Lukas to discuss. They were joined alongside Catherine, from the Liberties Residents Association and others...

What do you do with a loved ones social media accounts when they pass away? Unfortunately it was a situation Donna Ahern found herself in when her twin sister Susan died last year. Donna joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live to discuss her experience...

Dublin man Edward O’Reilly says that he should have been bringing his three newborn babies home from Kenya, but instead – all he brought home is their birth certs. Edward, whose babies were born via surrogacy has been left devastated after the service he used demanded a further €16,000 despite him already paying €50,000. Edward joined Andrea on the show to tell his story...

A woman in the US has caused a storm online recently demanding a refund for having to sit between two overweight people. American Airlines in turn, provided her with a refund. Have you experienced travelling as an overweight person or have you been sat beside someone who was overweight on an airplane? Andrea was joined on Lunchtime Live by Robert and Nicola to discuss...

One of the main streets in our capital city has been dubbed as dangerous and full of druggies and crime in the Dáil. O’Connell Street in Dublin has long been seen as somewhere in desperate need of help and regeneration, but the problem is thought to be getting worse. Andrea was joined by Fine Gael TD, Paul Keogh, Gary Gannon Social Democrats TD for Dublin Central and other listeners to discuss...

A video online has sparked controversy after Comedian Fabu-D challenged a homeless man to complete the press up challenge for money. In the video, the man does 20 pushups, and Fabu-D gives him €20. People have called for the video to boycotted, while others have said it’s an overreaction. Comedian Fabu-D and Glenda Harrington, from Friends Helping Friends joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live...

Tánaiste, Leo Varadkar has been mocked online after revealing his partner Matt Barrett’s meal prep for the week. However, the fact that none of the containers have lids has caused such a stir that even the Food Safety Authority given their advice online. Andrea was joined by Chef, Edward Hayden, Odile Le Bolloch, environmental scientist with the Environmental Protection Agency and Holly White, vegan chef and lifestyle blogger to discuss...

Is €250 too steep for a restaurant cancellation fee? A Michelin star restaurant in Cork charged a couple that fee after the cancelled their booking with only half an hour's notice. The reason given for the cancellation was that they had to make an emergency trip to A&E. Is it fair for restaurants to have cancellation fees? Andrea was joined by Paul Treyvaud, Owner of Treyvaud’s restaurant in Killarney, Anthony Gray, Owner, Eala Bhan and Hooked Restaurants in Sligo, Stephen McMahon, Co Founder of the Irish Patients Association and listener Fiona on Lunchtime Live…

Our shopping habits have completely changed in recent years, with more of us choosing to buy online rather than in store. And about half of us have said Covid has increased our likelihood to shop online instead. However, a lot of online fashion brands only show their clothes one type of model, leaving people guessing what size to purchase. Andrea was joined by journalist, Anna Carey, Laura Mullet, fashion expert for RSVP Magazine and Ireland AM stylist and Brendan Courtney, presenter and fashion designer to discuss...

A man is alleged to have grabbed a 9 year old boy by the throat during hurling blitz in Tipperary at the weekend. Andrea was joined on Lunchtime Live by listeners to discuss abuse in the GAA at juvenile level and what needs to be done to resolve it...

Geoff, an American joined Adrian Kennedy on Lunchtime Live to discuss the treatment of people from the US in Ireland. He says when people providing services hear his accent charge more money.. Adrian also heard from other listeners from the US, UK and even South Africa about the treatment they have received since they arrived here...

Apparently, 'Thank You' notes are becoming a thing of the past. Do you still write thank you notes, or is a quick and handy text ‘thanks’ the way to go? Adrian Kennedy was joined by author, Martina Devlin, etiquette expert, Tina Koumarianos and author, Sheila O’Flanagan to discuss...

The Government is telling us that they want more and more people to take public transport. They are encouraging people to leave their cars behind – but is the service that is there already buckling under the stress of those of us who do decide to take public transport? Listeners Marian, Dan and Daniel all joined Adrian Kennedy on the line from Cork...

Every week, we give you the chance to put your questions to the experts. This week, Adrian Kennedy put your queries to Property Expert and Buyer's Agent, Liz O'Kane...

David Quinn, Columnist with the Irish Catholic and Sunday Times, wants the State to help Churches in paying their energy bill this winter. David joined Adrian Kennedy on Lunchtime Live to discuss...

Is it time to start ratting out your neighbours for leaving rubbish out for bonfires? Ballyfermot Drimnagh Councillor for Sinn Féín, Daithí Doolan warned about stockpiling this morning on Newstalk Breakfast. Are bonfires a problem in your area? Adrian Kennedy was joined by Bill Clear, Social Democrats Councillor for Kildare County Council and Vice Chair of Naas Tidy Towns and Mark, a council worker in Dublin to discuss...

Thousands of students around the country have staged a walk out today over issues they say aren’t being resolved. They’re protesting about the state of student accommodation and the cost of education during a cost-of-living crisis. Adrian Kennedy was joined on Lunchtime Live by Mark Dunne, Student President at South East Technological University, Brian Jordan Student Union President at TU Dublin and Asha Woodhouse, UCC Student Union President to discuss...

Videos have been circulating on social media of the Irish women's national soccer team singing an offensive song in their dressing room after their win against Scotland last night. The Football Association of Ireland and manager Vera Pauw have since apologised. Andrea was joined by Mark Tighe, News reporter with the Sunday Independent, Cllr Alan Haye, Councillor for South Dublin County Council and other listeners to discuss...

The Football Association of Ireland has apologised, after players on the Women's National Team were seen signing an offensive song following their World Cup qualifier on Tuesday. Brian Warfield from The Wolfe Tones, who wrote the song joined Andrea to give his to the events in the dressing room...