Lunchtime Live

Welcome to The Pod Squad!We review podcasts every Tuesday so you always have something new to listen to.Host of the ‘For Tech’s Sake’ podcast Elaine Burke and Entertainment Journalist Rory Cashin joined Andrea to review ‘Bad Dates’!Image: Smartless Media

Listener Karl got in touch with the show with an issue he has. After a mysterious €18 charge to his account, he has seemingly been signed up to some subscription service with a monthly direct debit. What should be done in this situation? And is it a scam?Sinead Ryan, Consumer Expert and host of The Home Show on Newstalk joins Andrea and Karl to discuss.

A survey has found that 88% of parents say that social media has made playdate hosting even more competitive.Parents now feel they have to ditch the fizzy drinks and choc-ices in favour of smoothies and veggie crisps.78% agree that the idea of having a few friends over for nuggets and a movie is no longer considered good enough, as the expectation is for better-quality and more nutritious food - as well as more diverse options.Is this something you have experienced?To discuss, Andrea is joined by Journalist Niamh O’Reilly, Emma Manley, Creative Director of women's wear brand Manley, Off the Ball’s Adrian Barry as well as listeners.

According to a HSE National Ambulance Service report, bystander CPR in cases of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest increased by 25% between 2012 and 2023.Around 70% of people will do CPR to someone they know, whilst 60% of CPR instances will happen in the home.Owner of First Aid for Everyone, Siobhan Butler, joins Andrea to discuss the do’s and don’ts when carrying out CPR.

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, Andrea is joined by Brigid O’Hora, author of ‘The Home Sommelier’ to discuss how you can pick out the perfect bottle of wine in a supermarket!

Unemployed people who refuse to engage with social welfare ­employment services will see their Jobseeker’s Benefit cut by €90 under a plan quietly signed off by the Government after the Budget.At the moment,  people who refused to engage with department officials or ­return-to-work schemes would see their payments cut €44 a week.If a person re-engages with welfare services, their full jobseeker payment is restored.This would see that fine doubled. Is that fair?Andrea is joined by People Before Profit TD Bríd Smith and listeners to discuss.

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

Do you have any ‘vampire friends’? The friends that absolutely suck the life out of you, maybe with negativity, or they just leave you feeling drained after a catch up?How do you spot them, and more importantly, how do you deal with them?Mark Fennell, Life Coach, Speaker and Author joins Andrea to discuss.

Listener Tina Koumarianos got in touch with the show to share her issue. She has about 50 rats currently in her garden, and the problem doesn’t seem to be getting better.Trevor Hayden from Complete Pest Control as well as Tina and more join Andrea to discuss what should be done in this situation.

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has accused RTÉ of “electoral interference” over a satirical joke aired on the Late Late Show.During the opening monologue, Late Late host Patrick Kielty spoke of “the Sinn Féin traitors, the show we all want to see” when joking about a new Irish version of the hit reality TV show, Traitors.Did he push it too far? Where is the line when it comes to political satire?To discuss, Andrea is joined by Paddy Prendiville, Editor of The Phoenix and John Lee, Executive Editor of the Daily Mail.