Lunchtime Live

He may be legally and constitutionally barred from serving a third term in office, but that hasn't stopped Donald Trump putting ‘TRUMP 2028’ red caps on sale. His online store crashed due to the demand.Will the power of merchandising shape the narrative, and no matter how impossible, will TRUMP 2028 be an inescapable force for the next few years?Joining Andrea to discuss is Lorraine Carter from Persona Branding & Design and Professor Scott Lucas, Professor of American Studies and International Politics at University College Dublin.Image: Trump Store

As rail fare and zonal adjustments come into effect today from Irish Rail, including Leap Cards becoming available over a wider area, we’re asking the question: should we be trialing free travel?  Joining Andrea to discuss is Conor Reddy, People Before Profit Councilor for Ballymun-Finglas, Gary Marshall, Committee Member of Dublin Commuters, Lochlann Gallagher, Chair of Galway Commuters Coalition and Travel Writer Melanie May.

Clare and Limerick are teaming up in a bid to host EuroPride, Europe's most significant LGBT+ event, in 2028.If they are successful, Ireland would play host to the international event for the first time, which attracts around 100,000 visitors from around the world.Amongst those steering the West of Ireland bid for EuroPride 2028 is Bernie O’Gorman, Chair of QuareClare, Lisa Daly from Limerick Pride and Eddie McGuinness, Director and Founder of The Outing Queer Arts Collective and Festival.They join Andrea to discuss!

Welcome to The Pod Squad!We review podcasts every week so you always have something new to listen to.Today FM’s Shelly Gray and 98fm’s Russell Alford join Andrea to review ‘Good Hang’!Image: The Ringer

Should Gardaí receive financial assistance to purchase homes given the current housing crisis?Members of the Gardaí Representative Association at their annual conference today will debate a motion to call on the Government to introduce an “enhanced scheme” to allow Gardaí to purchase homes using State assistance.What do you think about this idea?Could it help with recruitment and retention of rank-and-file Gardaí?Should subsidised housing be something that is made available for all civil servants?Joining Andrea to discuss is Tara McManus, Assistant General Secretary of the Garda Representative Association, Eoin Dolan, Principal of Mother of Divine Grace National School in Finglas, Ray Cooke, CEO of Ray Cooke Auctioneers and listeners.

For this week’s Ask Me Anything, Philip Thornton from the DCU Caving Club joins Andrea to answer any of your questions when it comes to being a caver!

Plans have been unveiled for a winter sports arena in South Dublin. The proposed €190 million development in Cherrywood will include two Olympic-sized ice rinks; a 5,000-seat indoor arena and a training centre.Joining Andrea to discuss is Raymond Hegarty, Chair of Seamrog Ice Skating Club, Cllr Jim O’Leary from Fine Gael and Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council as well as listeners.

For most brides-to-be, hair and make-up is a big part of the preparation before walking down the aisle. One American woman recently caused a bit of a stir on social media last month when she revealed she decided to go make-up free on her wedding day, going on to amass 30 million views with opinions split down the middle.So, should you wear make-up on your wedding day? And is a completely natural look too stripped back for such an occasion?Joining Andrea to discuss is Laura Mullett, Stylist & Broadcaster, Sarah Kennedy from ‘The Aisle’ blog and Wedding expert, Mary McCarthy, Columnist with the Irish Independent and more.

International accountancy firm Forvis Mazars has announced a new course in social skills for its Gen Z employees, which will simulate client meetings and offer training for speaking on the phone.At the same time, students in three of Manchester’s universities in the UK will be taught empathy, active listening, conflict resolution and time management.Are Gen Z lacking when it comes to ‘soft skills’ in the workplace?Andrea is joined by Caroline Reidy, HR expert with the HR Suite as well as listeners.

Breakfast Briefing Presenter Shane Beatty joins Andrea with plenty of stories from around the country this week!