Lunchtime Live

Welcome to The Pod Squad!We review podcasts every Tuesday so you always have something new to listen to.This week, Tom Douglas from Newstalk’s Newsroom and Elaine Burke, host of the ‘For Tech’s Sake’ Podcast join Andrea to review ‘If Books Could Kill’!

Last night, the ROSA Socialist Feminist Movement organised a march against gender violence outside Dublin City Hall following the conclusion of the civil sexual assault case between Nikita Hand and Conor McGregor.Andrea was there to get the thoughts of attendees, including Natasha O’Brien.

“Everything flipped and I thought from this point on, my life was never going to be the same…” Broadcaster Sean Defoe shared his reaction to receiving a cancer diagnosis on Lunchtime Live last year, and today, he joins Andrea again to discuss his health and how Seán feels about the diagnosis one year on.Andrea is also joined by some listeners who similarly got a diagnosis and how it impacted them and their families.

Christmas has well and truly started; people have put up trees and present shopping is well underway…So, when you’re buying these festive gifts, how important is it to support local, Irish businesses?Over the next few weeks, Andrea will be speaking with Irish producers across the country about the wonderful things they have on offer.Today, Andrea is joined by Niamh Devereux, Editor of Irish Country Magazine and Dee Laffan, Editor-in-Chief of Scoop Food Magazine to discuss.

This year on Lunchtime Live we’ve been looking at things that we can do in order to make ourselves that bit happier and healthier.This week, to talk about the importance of mental health for young LGBTQ+ people, Andrea is joined by Ruadhán Ó Críodáin, Executive Director of Shoutout.

What would you think about having a Luas in every city in Ireland?In a new Transport Plan published this morning, the Labour Party say they want the Luas in all 5 Irish cities with a view of at least 15 new lines by 2040.So, do we need a Luas in every city?Andrea is joined by listeners to discuss.

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

The demand for real Christmas trees has risen to record levels, but is there supply there to meet it?Christy Kavanagh, Christmas tree grower in Wicklow, joins Andrea to discuss.

What would you think about your child spending most of their school days learning outdoors?Well, the Green Party want to introduce 'forest schools' to foster a respect for nature among young people in Ireland.The party say the model has been successful in Scandinavia, and want to introduce a pilot scheme in which most of the school day every week is spent outdoors, “rain, wind or shine.”What do you think about this idea?Joining Andrea to discuss is Jennifer Dungan from Dalkey School Projects, Ciara Hinksman, Founding Chair of the Irish Forest School Association and more.

There was a difficult exchange between Taoiseach Simon Harris and disability worker Charlotte Fallon over the weekend during canvassing.In the video, you can hear Charlotte accuse the Government of ignoring the disability sector. However Simon Harris denied that, before walking away from her.Andrea is joined by carers to discuss and give their reactions.