Highlights From Lunchtime Live

There is seemingly a lack of Deposit Return Scheme machines at certain festivals, despite thoughts that there would be reverse vending machines set up. With an option to donate your return to charity, how much money is left on the table? And how much plastic goes to waste?Joining Andrea to discuss are Mary Gamble, Director of Fundraising for Barnardos, JP McMahon, Chef and Restaurateur and listeners.

Welcome to The Pod Squad! We’ll review podcasts every Tuesday so you’ll have something new to listen to. This week Andrea is joined by host of Tech Talk on Newstalk Jess Kelly and 98fm producer and Food & Travel writer Russell Alford to review ‘Million Dollar Lover’!Image: BBC Podcasts

Phrases like ‘sure look, sure listen’ and ‘the black stuff’ are some of the most popular and commonly used Irish slang words.Dr Ellen Howley joins Andrea to discuss if Irish slang has influenced the English language, and Communications Expert Gina London joins to discuss the difference between American and Irish slang words.

Many people got in touch with the show with their own carer stories following the segment on Lunchtime Live.Marie is one of those who got in touch, and joins Andrea to share the situation her family is in.

More good news for the European Athletics Championships as last night Rhasidat Adeleke won silver for Ireland in the 400 metres. Her silver follows golds for Ciara Mageans and the 4 x 400m mixed relay team. So how do we kick on from here? How do we capitalise on this success? To discuss, Andrea is joined by the CEO of Athletics Ireland, Hamish Adams and WIll Dalton from Virgin Media Sport.

This year Andrea Gilligan is determined to make some changes and become that bit healthier!Andrea will be joined by a number of different people to find out how they live well.This week, James Farrell from Dublin Airport Tae Kwon Do joined the show to discuss his exercise ‘Keep Moving’ for people who sit at their desks all day. Listen and follow along to the exercise yourself!

According to Paul Murphy, People Before Profit TD for Dublin South West, the Leaving Cert should be scrapped in favour of open access to university.What do you think? Should we scrap the Leaving Cert? Andrea is joined by listeners to hear their opinions.

Andrea Gilligan was joined on Lunchtime Live by Dr Niall Breen from Portmarnock GP Clinic to answer listeners' health queries and questions...

From gladiator sandals to the circular belts – 00s fashion is back! Newstalk Reporter Lauren Grey took to the streets of Dublin to ask what fashion trends they dread seeing making a comeback, and Andrea Gilligan is joined by Stylist Laura Mullet to discuss if the 00s styles are really returning.Image: Jeffrey Mayer, WireImage

Doctors in Spain will check children for signs of mobile addiction once a year under a new government plan to improve safety online. Joining Andrea to discuss a plan like this’ effectiveness, and whether it would be of benefit in Ireland are Consultant Neonatologist and Paediatrician, Dr Afif El Khuffash, Dr Nicola Fox Hamilton, Expert in Cyberpsychology as well as listeners.

There are over half a million family carers in Ireland providing care to a person with a disability, chronic condition, mental health concern and/or long-term illness, but do they feel supported enough? To mark National Carers' Week, Andrea is joined by some of those looking after their loved ones. 

This is Lunchtime Live’s Big Batch. Every Monday we’ll be learning new easy to cook batch recipes from Cook Book Author and Recipe Writer Sarah Butler to keep you eating well. No more staring into an open fridge looking for inspiration!For the final week before our Big Batch summer break, Andrea and Sarah looked at the perfect snacks to make for your kids - including puff pastry quiche and crispy crunchy chickpeas!Follow the hashtag #LLBigBatch for all our recipes.

With local elections all but finished - it seems to be good news for coalition partners Fine Gael and FIanna Fail, with Independents also doing well.Newstalk has had comprehensive coverage of the election, but it’s also important to look at some of the good news stories that came from the elections.Andrea Gilligian is joined by father and son duo Baby and Britto Pereppadan, Declan Meehan and Mary Hilda Cavanagh to discuss.

Every Friday, as part of our ‘Ask Me Anything’ series, we put your questions to people from interesting backgrounds or working in different careers.Guest host Karen Koster is joined by Mike O’Donnell, a Court Artist based in Kerry - to learn about all aspects of the job.

A school in Dublin has stated that they are closing the doors to their after-school programme in September. Parents are now scared whether they must adjust their work hours, or quit their jobs...To discuss, Karen Koster is joined by Mary McCarthy, Columnist for the Irish Independent, Averil Sheenan, Childcare Provider and Tanya, whose child is in Grace Park Educate Together National School in Drumcondra, Dublin.

From newts in Cork to chicken fillet roll thefts – there’s a lot happening around the country this week. Breakfast Briefing Presenter Shane Beatty has stories from around the country you may have missed.

Reality TV may seem like a constant fixture on our screens these days whether it be Love Island, Selling Sunset or Traitors... But, back in the early 2000’s, it still seemed somewhat of a novelty.  Tanya Sweeney, Columnist with the Irish Independent was looking back at some reality TV from 2001 and she was not impressed. She joins guest host Karen Koster to discuss. Also joining are Pamela Laird, CEO and founder of Maxi Loves and former ‘Apprentice’ candidate and Eric Roberts, who took part in ‘Squid Game: The Challenge’.Image: ITV

There is a fine line between tasteful and tacky, resulting in rooms looking cheap rather than sophisticated.How can you avoid the pitfalls? Joining Andrea to discuss are Alan Grant, Hardware Expert and Roisin Lafferty, Interior Designer.

Riverdance was performed for the first time at the Eurovision song contest 30 years ago. It's turned into a huge global success, and this year they celebrate their 20th year running at the Gaiety Theatre in Dublin.Andrea GIlligan got to meet the cast and crew during their final rehearsals ahead of their opening night!

A psychologist has warned that it’s a major red flag if you can relax by watching true crime - possibly a sign that you’re a psychopath.With the true crime genre being extremely popular, is this an exaggeration? Or is there some truth to it?What do you think?Andrea is joined by Professor Brendan Kelly from the Psychiatry Department at Trinity COllege Dublin, Crime Journalist Nicola Tallant, Newstalk’s Jess Kelly and Tour Guide Conor O’Rourke to discuss.