Lunchtime Live

Concerns about overcharging or issues with fares accounted for more than half of all complaints involving taxis to the National Transport Authority last year.Frustrated customers called out cabbies’ refusal or inability to accept a cashless payment, adding a charge for a cashless payment and the taxi meter not working or not being used…Other common issues among the over 1,700 complaints to the NTA included driver behaviour, inappropriate route selection and refusal to take short journeys.So, what is your experience of taxis in Ireland?Guest host Anna Daly is joined by listeners to discuss.

Dr Nina Byrnes, GP at Generation Health Medical Clinic joined Andrea Gilligan to tackle your medical queries…

An early Medieval brooch-pin, dating from the 8th or 9th century, was discovered during the beginning phases of the Adare Bypass construction last year. It, along with other amazing finds will soon go on display to the public. But, how often do these discoveries happen? And what should you do if you think you’ve found something on your land?Maeve Sikora, Archaeologist and Keeper of Irish Antiquities at the National Museum of Ireland joins Andrea to discuss.

Sophie Brady and her sister’s abusers recently heard their sentencing after subjecting the two sisters to horrific abuse when they were children.David and Jonathan Hamilton were handed over 7 years and 3 years respectively.Sophie took to social media to call the sentencing ‘a slap in the face’.She joins Andrea to discuss…The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre can be reached on 1800 778 888.

We’re well aware of the difficulties and many hurdles it can take to become a homeowner. The average age for first time buyers is now 36. But, for one Cork teenager, he set his sights on having his own property, and began the chase at the age of 13.Now 19, Sean O’Shea can proudly say he is a homeowner. He, along with Frank Conway, Founder of Money Whizz and Personal Finance Commentator join Andrea to discuss.

Welcome to The Pod Squad!We review podcasts every week so you always have something new to listen to.Broadcaster Pádraig Wilson McCarthy and Laura Mullet, Journalist and Stylist join Andrea to review ‘Icebergs with Kemah Bob’!Image: Keep it Light Media

“Children as young as six have been exposed to porn and they’ll never be the same. Those kids become a lot more aggressive to other kids in school.”That is according to Cyber-Security Expert Aoife Noone. She visits schools to educate children on how to be safe online with the Think Smart Cyber Safety and Mindset Programme.Aoife joins Andrea to discuss, along with Eoin Daly, Principal of Mother of Divine Grace National School in Finglas, Gina Dermody, Psychotherapist and Clinical Director at Adolescence and Beyond, Noel Loftus, Principal at St. Attracta's National School in Roscommon and more.

For this week’s Ask Me Anything, Sue Leonard, Ghost Writer and Author, joins Andrea to answer any of your questions!

This week is Wish Week on Newstalk, and right across the station we have been hearing about the amazing families who have had their wishes granted with the charity.Emma Preston was 15 when she had her wish granted.Emma’s mother Edel joins Andrea to discuss what that experience was like, and how important it was for her daughter.Let’s make 2025 the biggest Wish Week yet. Every cent matters. Donate online atmakeawish.ie/donate!

Rich people should cut back on flying and allow poorer families to take the form of travel, all with the intention of cutting overall emissions globally.That’s according to Emma Pinchbeck of the Climate Change Committee.What do you think? Is this unreasonable or would it make sense in the big picture?Andrea is joined by Climate Journalist, John Gibbons as well as listeners to discuss.