Highlights From Lunchtime Live

On Monday Andrea spoke to Sandra Byrnes, foster-mum of Wassiou who died earlier this summer. And yesterday Andrea spoke to Magda, whose son was attacked in Bushy Park last week. In both cases, the incidents surrounding their sons were filmed and shared on social media - much to the heartbreak of the families. What are the laws around this? Is enough being done to help families stop these kinds of things being shared? Andrea was joined by Senior Counsel and Specialist in Media and Data Law, Ronan Lupton to discuss...

Many women these days are opting to have children alone. There is an array of reasons why a woman might choose assisted reproduction. Andrea was joined by Lisa, Kerrie and Lucy Boyd, Nurse Manager in the Sims IVF Clonskeagh Clinic to discuss...

Greta Gerwig’s new Barbie movie hits our screens next week, with many lifelong fans already booking out cinemas nationwide. Journalist Mary Kenny has been writing in the Irish Independent that ‘Barbie, once loathed for stereotyping young girls, is now pitched as a feminist icon’ What do you think? Is Barbie an icon or does she actually go against what feminism is meant to be about? Andrea was joined by listeners to discuss…

Eight primary schools in Greystones in Co. Wicklow have pledged to ban smart phones. The scheme has now been approved by Education Minister Norma Foley. The Minister has also suggested that this initiative could be rolled out across the whole country. Should this initiative be extended throughout the country? Andrea was joined by Rachel Harper, Principal of St.Patricks National School in Greysones and leader of the ‘It Takes a Villiage’ campaign to ban smartphones from primary schools, Simon Lewis, principal of Carlow Educate Together and host of the 'If I Were Minister for Education Podcast' and other listeners and parents to discuss...

Yesterday The Star’s Paul Healy reported that a 13 year old boy was attacked in Bush Park in Dublin last Thursday. The attack lasted 20 minutes and the boy ended up in ICU. Gardaí are now investigating the attack. Andrea was joined by the boy’s mother, Magda...

Dogs Trust in the UK are warning parents of the risks when leaving young children alone with dogs. Last year in the UK 91% of dog bites to children under 14 years are from dogs known to the children in the home. Would you would leave your children alone unsupervised with your dog? Andrea was joined by Samantha Rawson Dog Trainer and Behaviourist, Elizabeth, a vet and other listeners to discuss...

An RTÉ news report on the dead whale found in Kerry is getting huge attention. The report featured an interview with a local man, who’s accent has garnered some attention. Do we hear enough Irish regional accents on TV and radio? Are we in danger of losing our regional accents? Andrea was joined by listeners to discuss…

Today is July 12th, which will mean Orange Orders and band parading in many parts of Northern Ireland. Yesterday, the Eleventh Night, saw more than 200 bonfires lit in loyalist areas across the North. Among the bonfires was an effigy of Sinn Féin deputy leader Michelle O'Neill in Co Tyrone- where it was to be burned alongside with Irish flags. A picture of Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and an Irish flag were set alight again in Tyrone on Saturday. How do we ever have a conversation about a United Ireland when we have effigies of politicians being burned in the north? Andrea was joined by listeners to discuss…

Ryan Tubridy and Noel Kelly's marathon sessions at two Oireachtas committees are underway. The first session at the Public Accounts Committee began at 11am, with the second session at the Oireachtas Media Committee getting underway from 3pm. Andrea was joined by Fionnán Sheahan, Ireland Editor with the Irish Independent and listeners to discuss the proceedings...

So it turns out, mindfulness really does work. A new study from Cambridge University has show that it can help with depression and anxiety. And can even give you a health boost! But what is it really? Andrea was joined by Michael Ryan, Yoga and Meditation Therapist, nutritional therapist, Fawn Clarke and others to discuss...

An RTE Investigates Documentary has revealed the harsh conditions male calves endure at cattle marts. Shocking footage was aired last night causing outrage from those in the industry and animal rights campaigners. Is it time we crack down on animal welfare in the farming industry? Andrea was joined by Dennis Drennan, Deputy President of ICMSA, Gerry Boland, founder and spokesperson for Animals Behind Closed Doors, Catherine Woods, animal rights activist and more to discuss...

The family of a young man who drowned in a jet-ski accident have said that some people filmed his final moments. Wassiou Leon Ayawe was 19 when died after the jet-ski he was on flipped over in Killaloe. His foster mother Sandra Byrnes joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live to discuss...

How big is the swinging community in Ireland? Is it possible to have an openly sexual community in a country as small as Ireland? Andrea was joined by Gray and Gemma to discuss their experiences in the swinging community...

The head of Cork’s Support After Crime Services fears that a bill criminalising the recruitment of children into gangs won’t achieve its aims unless parents are also held to account. Should parents be held accountable for their children’s crimes or antisocial behaviour? Andrea was joined by Sally Hanlon, founding member and Director of Services of Support After Crime Services and other listeners to discuss…

Marty Morrissey has revealed himself as the RTÉ staff member who had a loan of a car from Renault for five years. In a statement yesterday the RTÉ GAA commentator said he did not seek a fee to act as MC at Renault events so they ‘offered me the use of a car’ It is the latest in a number of controversies to rock RTÉ and its star in the last number of days. But, are we now at the point where we are looking to get outraged about everything to do with RTE?

Andrea was joined on the show by callers to discuss whether or not adult children should contribute to the household...

Taylor Swift fans frantically refreshed their emails yesterday to see if they were among the lucky punters to get an access code to the golden tickets! But for many, that email never came. Were you one of the lucky ones? Or are you frustrated with the system? Andrea was joined by callers to find out if they were one of the lucky ones...

Learner drivers are regularly having to wait about 6 months to get driving tests around the country. The delays often mean that they have a long period between finishing their lessons and doing the test – so they could be out of practice. Is this fair? Andrea was joined by Brenda Bolger, owner of Bolger School of Motoring in Kilkenny and callers who shared their own experiences on the driving test delays...

I saw a picture doing the rounds on Twitter that has really made me laugh. In it, there’s the father of the bride, at the top table, beside his daughter. But instead of taking in the beautiful surroundings – he has his phone glued to his ear. And it turns out, that’s because he’s listening to last weekend’s Kerry game – which unfortunately clashed with the wedding. He wasn’t going to miss a minute of it, even his daughter’s wedding couldn’t stop him! Father of the Bride, Kevin O’Sullivan joined Andrea on the show...

Three ‘Just Stop Oil’ Environmental activists have been arrested after two protests disrupted tennis at Wimbledon yesterday. What do you think of the Just Stop Oil protests at Wimbledon? Do you support them? Andrea was joined by callers to share their views on the Just Stop Oil protestors...