Highlights From Lunchtime Live

It’s Toy Show Friday!It’s one of the most nostalgic parts of Christmas, with moments of pure joy! And in many people’s eyes, the official launch of the Christmas season. It’s also a great taste of home for those living around the world, possibly not making it home for the Christmas season. Andrea was joined by those from Ireland living abroad that will be tuning in tonight…

Religious symbols across hundreds of State-run primary and secondary schools must in future be reflective of the “entire community” according to a new blueprint for the sector. That means that where religious symbols are displayed, they should reflect all of the religions practiced in the area. Andrea was joined by Graham, a teacher in Cork, Fr Paddy Byrne in Co Laois and other listeners to discuss...

Tipperary GAA club Drom & Inch are proposing drug testing be extended from inter-county level to club level to curb the use of performance-enhancing and recreational drugs. Currently all GAA players are subject to anti-doping rules as adopted by Sport Ireland. However, few if any footballers and hurlers outside the senior inter-county scene have been tested. Andrea was joined by Tim Barry, Chairman of Rathdowney-Erril GAA in Laois, Sharon, who works with those in addiction treatment and other listeners to discuss...

We continue our ‘Buying Irish’ series today, with thanks to Champion Green, Ireland’s Support Local Campaign. Champion Green and Lunchtime Live are encouraging local people to support local business and jobs this Christmas. This week, Irish decorations and ornaments. Andrea was joined by Chris, from Dainty Detail, Mags from Bumble Bee Flower Farm, Lisa from the Ornament shop and Mary Whelan, from Eirlooms to discuss their businesses…

There have been fresh calls for more to be done to help ease Cork’s ‘Bumper to Bumper traffic issues.' Has the traffic in Cork City affected you? Does it put you off going in to the city? Andrea was joined by Kerry O’Neill, Fitzpatrick Grocery, Peter Horgan, Labour Party Local Area Representative and more listeners to discuss... Image: dunkettle.ie

A Sunday Times survey has found sharp generational differences when it comes to attitudes to the Troubles. A third of young people here in the Republic of Ireland say they think it is socially acceptable to say “up the Ra”. Half admit they don’t fully understand the history of the Troubles. While, almost a third of young Irish people think there was no alternative to violent resistance to British rule. Andrea was joined by listeners Pat, Ben, Marc and Alex to discuss…

As technology advances and fast fashion takes over, some of the professions we knew and loved are starting to fade. Lots of traditional jobs that we would have known and loved are becoming a dying art. Andrea was joined by Jim Flanagan, Phoenix Park lamplighters, Nora Finnegan, Lacemaker from Kenmare Lace, Phil Doran, a roof thatcher in Laois and Isaac Jackman, Shoe Repair Technician to discuss their trades…

According to new research, the cost of an average funeral in Ireland is over six thousand euro. Is that something we prepare for enough? Or are we likely to be taken by surprise at the worst possible moment? Andrea was joined by Lisa Clancy, Charlie McClafferty, McClafferty Funeral Directors in Letterkenny, Co Donegal, Sara and other listeners to discuss…

In the last number of years we have been seeing a rise in the number of people with mental health issues. Destigmatising mental health has been welcomed by medical professionals and charities. But, are we sometimes guilty of over-pathologising emotional health? By adopting mental health language so liberally and casually in our everyday lives are we trivialising mental health? Andrea was joined by listeners to discuss…

Ellen Fitzpatrick, from Her.ie has just returned from her first solo travel experience. Have you ever travelled solo? How would you feel about going on a holiday on your own? Andrea was joined by Ellen Fitzpatrick and other listeners to discuss...

New statistics revealed today show that the average price in Dublin is now over €2,200 a month and that there is an ‘extreme shortage of rental homes’. And of course the issue isn’t just in Dublin, it’s all over the country. People are struggling to find somewhere to live. And if they can, they’re often struggling to pay rent. Andrea was joined by listeners around the country to discuss...

Is enough being done to protect our Gardai? A shocking video emerged of 2 Gardai being assaulted in Ballyfermot in Dublin last night. Sinn Féin Councillor for Ballyfermot and Drimnagh, Daithi Doolan, Garda Mark Ferris is the DMR West GRA Representative, Sunniva Finlay is the CEO of Ballyfermot STAR and other listeners to discuss...

More than half of nine-year-olds now own a phone. That is according to new research from the ESRI which also found that owning a mobile phone is associated with less time reading and lower levels of involvement in cultural activities. What age is it right to give a child a phone at? Andrea was joined by listeners to discuss...

Stirling University in Scotland have voted to ban meat and dairy from their campus, however campaigners argue that it’s an ‘attack on freedom of choice’. Would you like similar introduced on campuses here? Andrea was joined by Aisling Cullen, the founder and CEO of Thanks Plants, Amanda Norris, auditor of the NUIG Agricultural society, John Downey from UCC Macra na Feirme, Kaley Nolan, from the vegan society in UCC and other listeners to discuss...

Keith Russell was just 12 years of age when his struggles with body dysmorphia and disordered eating began. Now, years on, he wants more men to speak out about their body image struggles. Keith joined Andrea in studio to discuss...

Every year nurses, teacher and many other professions have to pay a retention fee to stay registered in their profession. With a shortage of healthcare staff in Ireland, what is this fee being put towards? Andrea was joined by nurses, Ciara, Ralph and Caroline...

Motorists are set to be hit again with increased toll prices – some going up by 60 cent per journey. Inflation is blamed on the rising cost. Andrea was joined by road users around the country to discuss...

We kick off our ‘Buying Irish’ series today, with thanks to Champion Green, Ireland’s Support Local Campaign. Champion Green and Lunchtime Live are encouraging local people to support local business and jobs this Christmas. First up, Irish toys. Andrea was joined by Damien Murtagh, Founder of Arckit, Kevin from Gosling Gifts & Games, Jenel from Clever Tots Toy Club, Michael from Ro Óg and Sharon Keilthy from Jiminy Eco Toys…

Jason, a listener, got in touch with the show to highlight bullying his 13-year-old son received in his secondary school. His son who has dyspraxia and autism and was being bullied by others in his class and Jason had difficulty with the staff at the school about resolving the issue... Other listeners John, Ciarán and Tracy also got in touch with their experiences...

Children in Need, one of the biggest TV events in the UK kicks off this weekend. Andrea was asking should kids have to go on national TV and disclose their illness or trauma in order for people to donate to helping charities? Andrea was joined by Carmel Doyle, CEO of Jack and Jill, Bernard Mulvaney from Access for All and Evie to discuss...