Lunchtime Live

When pensions were covered on the show, there were huge reactions from listeners - showing that the demand is there to know more about saving for your future.So, we’ve decided to break it down into three parts, over the next three days.We’ll discuss the various different stages of your pension – and what you need to know or do at each point.Today, Andrea is joined by Co-Founder and Head of Financial advice for Moneycube, Ralph Benson, to discuss handling your pension mid-way through your working life.

Parents up and down the country might be starting to pick up the odd thing for their little ones ahead of Christmas.But, should you reconsider buying a toy gun for your child? Given the unstable times we live in, are we normalizing violence for young people by giving them fake weapons to play with?Freelance Journalist Niamh O’Reilly has been writing about this in the Irish Independent, and joins Andrea, along with Stephanie Rohen from the Newstalk Newsroom, Siobhan O’Neill White from Mams.ie and Lisa O’Sullivan Shaw.

Citywest and Saggart were hit with more riots last night as protesters took to the streets to express their frustration surrounding Citywest Hotel housing of refugees.Last night was the second night in a row in which Gardaí had to take to the streets to control the mayhem. Property was vandalized and people living in the area were afraid of what was happening on their doorsteps…The pent-up frustration of these rioters has caused havoc on the streets in South Dublin. What needs to be done to tackle these problems and prevent further riots from occurring?Joining Andrea to discuss is Deputy General Secretary of the GRA, James Morrisroe.

It’s a difficult time to keep a restaurant afloat, leading to menus that are playing it too safe and a feeling that no matter where you go, you’re eating the same stuff.That’s according to Restaurant Critic Katy McGuinness in her latest review for the Irish Independent.So, have restaurants become too similar? Katy joins Andrea, along with Conor Spacey, Culinary Director of Food Space and author of ‘Wasted’.

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 Radiohead’s ‘OK Computer’!

When pensions were covered on the show, there were huge reactions from listeners - showing that the demand is there to know more about saving for your future.So, we’ve decided to break it down into three parts, over the next three days.We’ll discuss the various different stages of your pension – and what you need to know or do at each point.Today, Andrea is joined by Co-Founder and Head of Financial advice for Moneycube, Ralph Benson, to discuss getting started!

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…

After an attack on a young girl occurred in Citywest on Monday evening, protesters took to the streets to express their feelings. It comes after the Citywest hotel has been used as an IPAS center to house refugees.The protests soon turned into riots, and a Garda car was set alight, Gardaí were out in force to control the situation.We want to know your opinions on the riots. Were you there, were you impacted, and do these riots hold any merit?Andrea is joined by local residents, Conor Lally, Security and Crime Editor with the Irish Times and John Lahart, Fianna Fail TD for Dublin Southwest & Chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade. Later, to discuss if more should have been done to stop it, she is joined by Newstalk’s Chief Reporter Barry Whyte, James Morrisroe, GRA Deputy General Secretary and Cllr Linda de Courcy, Independent Ireland.

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 cervical smear.

In today's digital age, where our lives seem glued to our phones, you might question the relevance of sending greeting cards.But, do they still hold a special place in our hearts?Joining Andrea to discuss is Writer Amanda Brunker and Terry Prone, Chairman of the Communications Clinic.