Lunchtime Live

Only two children in need of urgent spinal surgeries have been treated abroad.This is despite a legal instruction to the HSE to provide all children with scoliosis the option to travel.So, what has gone wrong?Andrea is joined by affected parents to discuss.

Every day, we’re hearing more rumours about who might be the next President.Could it be Joe Duffy? Or maybe it’ll be Mairead McGuinness? Could the rumours of Packie Bonner be true?Joining Andrea to discuss is Adrian Kavanagh, Geography Lecturer at Maynooth University and John Lee, Executive Editor at The Irish Daily Mail.

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 Arctic Monkeys’ ‘Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not’!

Sinn Féin TD Conor D. McGuinness has called for the Irish national anthem to be taught in schools across the country.He criticised the Government’s failure to prioritise this, describing it as "...a clear sign of how little respect this Government has for Ireland's republican heritage." Deputy McGuinness argued that the national anthem is "a basic expression of national identity and civic belonging" and should be part of every young person's education.Should learning Amhrán na bhFiann be mandatory in school?Andrea is joined by listeners to discuss.

Former Leitrim Hurler Zak Moradi has risen to fame for his hurling career. His new documentary, which airs on RTE One this evening, shows a different side to the GAA star.  Zak Moradi was born in a refugee camp in war-torn Iraq during the Gulf War. His family made the conscious decision to flee to Ireland where he found his love for hurling and made a name for himself in the world of GAA.  Zak joins Andrea to discuss.

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 Big Breakfast Co-Host Rebecca Shekleton joined Andrea in the studio to put a smile on your faces…Image: @EFprocycling on Twitter

Families visiting Dublin Zoo are frustrated by a new exit route that forces them through the gift shop, putting added pressure on parents to avoid impulse buys after a long day.While some see it as a push to boost sales, the zoo likely relies on retail income to support rising operational costs.What do you think? Is this new location necessary, or is it just added pressure for families?Joining Andrea to discuss is Editor of Cork Beo, Joe O'Shea, Katie Makk from the Opinions Matter podcast, as well as listeners.

Every Wednesday afternoon, we’ll be talking Making Babies.Andrea will be joined by Obstetrician and Clinical Director at the Rotunda, Vicky O'Dwyer 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, Vicky joins Andrea to talk about bonding with your baby.

And Just Like That, the Sex and the City reboot has been getting a lot of mixed reviews since it first went on air in 2021, with many of its die-hard fans slating it for making a mockery of the original.Many say that the show just isn't the same without the iconic Samantha Jones, played by Kim Cattrall, even with her one minute appearance at the end of the first season, for a reported $1 million.Joining Andrea to discuss this further is TV Editor for the Sunday World, Deirdre Reynolds and Rory Cashin, Entertainment and Culture Journalist.

Temple Bar has been named the third biggest tourist trap in the world.The complaints against it are the prices, the dirty streets and being overcrowded.We often hear complaints about the cost of a pint there, or of the mess on the streets, so how do we sort it?Joining Andrea to discuss is Declan O’Brien, Chair of The Temple Bar Resident’s Association, owner of Rory's Fishing Tackle, Mary Harkin, Travel Writer Melaine May and more.