Highlights From Lunchtime Live

With a growing shortage of available graveyard space is it time for Ireland to move away from burials and towards alternatives? Clare McKenna was joined by Brid McGowan from Foley & McGowans Funeral home in Sligo and McGowan’s Funeral Directors in Mayo, Darragh O’Callaghan from Shannon Crematorium, Colin Mc Ateer, from The Green Graveyard Company and other listeners to discuss…

Should rich countries pay compensation to vulnerable nations hit by climate change? A June report by 55 vulnerable countries estimated their combined climate-linked losses over the last two decades totaled over 525 billion euro – should richer nations go some way in compensating these losses? That is one item on the agenda at the COP27 UN climate conference taking place in Egypt at the moment. Clare McKenna was joined by listeners to discuss this and the other impacts of climate change and what people can do in the face of the climate crisis...

Hare and Fox hunting season is upon us again, and as happens with every year, there are calls for it to be banned. Fox hunting season starts properly in November, and continues through to March. It's banned in the UK, so is it time we followed suit? Clare McKenna was joined by Aideen Yourell, Spokesperson for Ban Blood Sports, Dickie Power is on the line from the Hunting Association of Ireland and others to discuss...

Stephen Moran, owner of Yeah Burger Restaurant Group joined Claire McKenna on Lunchtime Live to tell her about a good samaritan who saved him from getting a parking ticket. Other listeners got in touch about some random acts of kindness that they have experienced….

Twitter employs 500 people in Dublin, but many of those will be receiving emails today informing them whether they still have a job, or not. Adrian Weckler, Tech Editor with the Irish Independent and Laura Harmon, equality campaigner joined Claire McKenna on Lunchtime Live to discuss Elon Musk's takeover and the layoff's he is imposing...

Thousands of families across the country have started to get their double child benefit this week. As part of the cost of living crisis, this month’s payment will be €480 instead of the usual €240. One woman in today’s papers is saying that since she would probably just spend it on extra Christmas presents, she plans to give the extra money to someone who needs it more. Claire McKenna was joined by Louise Bayliss, Spokesperson for SPARK (Single Parents Acting for the Rights of Kids) and Fergus Finlay, Former CEO of Barnardos and Columnist with the Irish Examiner to discuss…

The shortage of taxis is a topic that we’ve returned to several times on the show. However, a listener, Danny, who is a taxi driver, got in touch with the show about an issue he is having trying to get a grant to make his taxi accessible...

On Lunchtime Live, Andrea has covered the topic of phantom buses frequently. New NTA figures show a jump in scheduled buses that didn’t run. Is this something that has affected you? Andrea was joined by James, a Dublin Bus driver, Eibhlin Seoighthe from the Galway Commuter Coalition and other listeners to discuss…

A quarter of employees have had their accent mocked, criticised or singled out in a professional setting, according to new research. 30% of students cited the same problem in university. Have you ever felt singled out because of your accent? Has it ever proved a disadvantage for you in a work setting? Andrea was joined by Aoife Grace Moore, Political correspondent for Sunday Times Ireland and listeners to discuss…

'I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here' is returning to our screens this weekend. A huge part of the show’s appeal is the horrible trials they’re made do, often being locked into dark passages full of creepy crawlies. However, there are renewed suggestions that live animals shouldn’t be used in any part of the TV show. Andrea Gilligan was joined on Lunchtime Live by James Hennessy, The Reptile Zoo Director and Laura Broxson, Founder of the National Animal Rights Association to discuss...

Endometriosis is something we spoke extensively about on the show this year – hearing stories of the many, many women affected by the condition. This week Senator Lynn Ruane and some other female colleagues are writing to the Oireachtas Health Committee and the Department of Health, calling on them to take leadership on this issue and help those affected. Senator Lynn Ruane and Patricia joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live to discuss their experiences...

Do people still respect personal space boundaries? Ave tweeted about a man on the bus sitting too close to her on Monday evening. She ended up getting off the bus a stop early to get away from him. Ave joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live alongside other listeners to discuss respecting personal space and boundaries...

Is food labelling clear enough? Can you tell where your food is really coming from? And if not, is that something that bothers you? Andrea was joined by Noel from Drogheda, Shane McAuliffe a pig farmer in Kerry and MTU Lecturer, Nick Lynch from Nicks Fish, Kieran Rumley, Executive Director at Love Irish Food and others to discuss…

Ireland will see a ‘frightening’ wave of delayed cancer diagnoses next year – that's according to Taoiseach Michéal Martin. Diagnosis are not the only the only thing experiencing delays – there is also backlog in people receiving treatment. Andrea was joined on Lunchtime Live by Dara McDonagh and a listener Barbara, who both had breast cancer...

Meteorologist, Joanna Donnelly joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live after her son's bike was stolen at the weekend. Joanna and her other son's bike were also stolen this past year...

A new study claims The Pope could bring about a major reduction in global carbon emissions if he urged Catholics to stop eating meat on a Friday. A return to the tradition could apparently make a huge difference to the environment. Would you consider going meat free on a Friday, to cut back carbon emissions? Andrea was joined on Lunchtime Live by Darina McCafferty, owner of vegetarian restaurant Cornucopia, Cork Fishmonger, Pat O'Connell, Sustainable Chef, Rozanne Stevens and other listeners to discuss…

Do soap operas still have a place in society or are they facing extinction? Actor Claudia Carroll, who played Nicola in Fair City and Hollyoaks writer Alan Flanagan joined Andrea Gilligan to discuss. Other listeners and fans of soap operas got in touch to give their view too...

The live animal crib outside Dublin’s Mansion House has been a Christmas staple for the past 27 years. However, a decision has been made by the Lord Mayor to cancel the event. This has been met with huge disappointment by regular visitors to the annual showpiece. Andrea was joined by Former Lord Mayor and Labour Cllr, Dermot Lacey, Melanie Finn, Entertainment Correspondent with the Irish Independent, Rachel Batten, Fianna Fáil Councillor and Dublin City Council Protocol Committee Member and listeners to discuss...

'Tis the season of spookiness and superstitions. Black cats are on the prowl and no one wants to visit the house with 13 on the door. Is there any science behind our fears about breaking mirrors, walking under ladders or unlucky number 13? Scientist, Phil Smyth from Simply Science joined Andrea alongside some listeners to discuss...

Michaela McCollum's docuseries ‘High: Confessions of an Ibiza Drug Mule’ was released on Netflix at the weekend. Michaela, who was jailed for two years in Peru, when she and Melissa Reid dubbed the 'Peru Two' – were found with €1.6 milion worth of cocaine in 2013. Andrea was joined by Frank Greaney, Newstalk’s Courts Correspondent and Presenter of Inside the Crime, Brendan Kelly, Professor of Psychiatry at Trinity College, and Nikki from Citywest, to discuss...