Lunchtime Live

More than 100 organisations have signed a joint letter calling on Israel to stop the "weaponisation of aid" into Gaza, as "starvation deepens".Humanitarian groups, including Oxfam and Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), say they are increasingly being told they are "not authorised" to deliver aid, unless they comply with the stricter Israeli regulations.Joining Andrea to discuss this with his unique insight is former Israeli Hostage Negotiator, Gershon Baskin.Image: Reuters

Are you guilty of doing things or going places, just to take photos of them?If you don’t post about it online, were you even really there?Feature Writer Chrissie Russell explores this in a piece in the Independent today, and joins Andrea, along with Stylist and Journalist Laura Mullet and Journalist Saoirse Hanley to discuss.

We’ve decided to do a deep dive on some of our favourite albums to explore the stories behind them.What did the artists really think of each other? Where did the inspirations from the songs come from?Joining Andrea to discuss is Head Tour Guide at the Irish Rock ‘N’ Roll Museum Experience, Alan Buckley, who’s going to talk through Oasis’ ‘(What’s the Story) Morning Glory?’!

Since the Government took office in January, the number of children awaiting scoliosis surgery has risen from 112 to 131, despite 303 procedures being carried out by Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) up to July. CHI noted that the list is constantly changing as patients are added and removed.In 2017, then–Health Minister Simon Harris pledged that no child would wait more than four months for surgery. That target remains unmet, and there have since been calls for the Tánaiste to resign on the back of his failed promises.Why are children waiting so long for surgeries, and what needs to be done to improve these wait times for children and their families?Joining Andrea to discuss is Bernard Mulvany, Advocate with Access for All Ireland, Co-Leader of the Spina Bifida Advocacy Group, Una Knightly and Carolann Walsh, whose 5-year-old daughter is currently waiting for an MRI scan for scoliosis.

Would 40 degree temperatures put you off your summer break?Apparently not - a lot of us are still booking our holidays in Europe, despite the heatwave!So, are there cooler places we can look to, to escape the roaring temperatures?Joining Andrea to discuss is Sarah Slattery, Founder of the travelexpert.ie.

Lunchtime Live's Reasons to be Happy looks at some of the news stories that you might have missed that will leave you feeling more optimistic.98FM’s Cathal O’Sullivan joined Andrea in the studio to put a smile on your faces…

Due to a nationwide teacher shortage, the Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) is calling for improved pay for educators returning from the United Arab Emirates, in an effort to attract and keep qualified professionals.TUI President Anthony Quinn described the current situation as “utterly unacceptable,” highlighting the lack of secure employment for new teachers.A recent union survey revealed that only one in four teachers appointed since 2015 secured full-time work in their first position.Do you think teachers with experience should be given a better salary?Joining Andrea to discuss is General Secretary of Teachers Union of Ireland, Michael Gillespie, Teacher & Irish Examiner Columnist, Jennifer Horgan, Assistant Principal and member of Aontú, Eric Nelligan and more.

Every Wednesday afternoon, we’ll be talking Making Babies.Andrea will be joined by Professor Shane Higgins, Master of the National Maternity Hospital to cover every area of trying to have a baby. From the very start of knowing how to prepare, right up to pregnancy – and all the bumps in the road in between.This week, Shane joins Andrea to discuss the early signs of labour!

Legislation was brought in in 2021 that banned the reselling of tickets for more than their face value. The idea was to curb ticket touting and protect consumers. But, why is it still happening?Joining Andrea to discuss is Consumer Journalist and Presenter of the Home Show on Newstalk Sinead Ryan and Newstalk’s Technology Correspondent Jess Kelly.

U2 is facing online backlash due to statements of support for Gaza that they posted to social media on Sunday. Critics are saying that it’s “too little, too late” and labeling the statements as “performative.”Joining Andrea to discuss is Arts Journalist Louise Bruton, Singer Mary Coughlan, Co-Founder of the Music & Entertainment Association of Ireland Jackie Conboy, Spin Presenter Jess Spencer and more.