Highlights From Lunchtime Live

Do characters like Elon Musk and Donald Trump have you swearing off social media? Listener Carol got in touch with the show about a Facebook boycott she took part in, and joins Andrea along with listener Aisling to discuss.

Should learner drivers only be allowed four consecutive learner permits if they do not pass their driving test?The Department of Transport has suggested plans which would mean after six years the driver would have to begin the process of retaking the theory test…What do you think?Andrea is joined by Brenda Bolger, Driving Instructor at Bolger’s Driving School, as well as listeners, to discuss.

About 2,300 people living in and around Cappamore, a small village about 20 minutes outside Limerick City, have been without drinking water since September 2023.Why is this happening? And is it an issue elsewhere around the country?To discuss, Andrea is joined by Principal of Scoil Chaitríona, Nicola Blake, John Hayes, owner of Haye’s Bar and Restaurant Cappamore and Councillor Martin Ryan.

This is Lunchtime Live’s Big Batch. Every Monday we’ll be learning new easy to cook batch recipes to keep you eating well. No more staring into an open fridge looking for inspiration!Adrian Martin, owner of Luigi Malones Temple Bar and the Wildflower Restaurant in Dublin joins Andrea this week to discuss ‘dump bags’, and why they’re more appealing than that name sounds!Follow the hashtag #LLBigBatch for all our recipes.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin is coming face to face with US President Donald Trump for the annual St Patrick’s Day meeting next week.With all the talks of tariffs and international security, there is arguably more riding on this yearly tradition than ever before…As we saw from Trump’s meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy - it can go one way or another...How does Micheál Martin approach a character like Donald Trump?Joining Andrea to discuss is Political Commentator and former Senior Government Advisor Gerard Howlin, Patti Shields from Democrats Abroad and Larry G. Maguire, Work Psychologist in Dublin.Image: Reuters

For this week’s Ask Me Anything, Anne Marie Kennedy, Chartered Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychologist joins guest host Jess Kelly to answer any questions about getting your head in the game!

Apparently, snoring is the biggest bedroom ‘ick’ and 5% of couples even split up because of it!About a quarter of us lose sleep because of our partner’s snoring – and it can cause a lot of bedroom fights…So, how do we stop it driving us apart?Joining guest host Jess Kelly to discuss is Dr. Neil Stanley, co-author of ‘A Sleep Divorce: How to Sleep Apart, Not Fall Apart’.

A number of residents in the Adamstown area of west Dublin have been told that electric vehicle chargers they have installed in front of their homes will be removed because parking spaces and pathways in the development are regarded as common areas…Joining guest host Jess Kelly to discuss are local residents, as well as Derren Ó Brádaigh, Sinn Féin Local Area Representative and Shane O’Donoghue, Editor with Completecar.ie.

Spending time going places and doing things alone can be personally transformative.However, it can also be daunting…So, how do you become ok with doing things alone?To discuss, guest host Jess Kelly is joined by Ciara Mooney, Managing Director of Freedom Travel and Solo and Mark Fennell, Life Coach.

From big barefoot walks to big filming in Galway, Breakfast Briefing Presenter Shane Beatty joins guest host Jess Kelly with plenty of stories from around the country this week!

Come on you boys in green!Ireland take on France tomorrow afternoon in the Six Nations.But, which one of the two top sides will claim victory?Joining guest host Jess Kelly to discuss is Former Irish Rugby International, Shane Byrne, Ger Gilroy from Off The Ball and more!

TDs have claimed over half a million euro in expenses in just one month.And that covers just one Dáil sitting. Is that figure as high as it seems?Joining Andrea to discuss is Newstalk's Political Correspondent, Seán Defoe.

Putting together a bathroom can have many do’s and don’ts. So, what’s the best way to tackle designing one?The Home Squad are here to let you know! Guest host Sinead Ryan is joined by Roisin Lafferty, Founder & Creative Director of Roisin Lafferty Designs and Sarah Carroll from Sand & Deliver to discuss.

Fishing is a time-honored activity that has been practiced for thousands of years, blending skill, patience, and an appreciation for the natural world.Whether pursued as a hobby, a sport, or a livelihood, fishing offers a unique way to connect with nature.So, has fishing become more popular in recent years?Sinead Ryan is joined by Gerard McLoughlin from the Kells Anglers Association, owner of Rory’s Fishing Tackle in Temple Bar, Mary Harkin and Host of the Lure Fishing Podcast, Cormac Walsh to discuss.

Young people not drinking is killing music venues…That is according to one of the UK’s leading Music Agents and Promoters, John Giddings, who has worked with the likes of David Bowie, Madonna, Sex Pistols, Rolling Stones and has run the Isle of Wight Festival since its revival in 2002.Is there any truth to this?To discuss, guest host Sinead Ryan is joined by John Brereton, Grand Social PR Manager & Director of the Dublin Bowie Festival, Rebecca Cappuccini, Spokesperson for Music and Entertainment Association of Ireland, First Music Contact CEO Angela Dorgan and Marcus Lester from Plug Artists.

There are growing fears that people will fall further into arrears as energy prices remain stubbornly high - with price hikes incoming.This year the costs will be compounded by the lack of energy credits…So, how will households deal with these increases?Guest host Sinead Ryan is joined by Izzy Petrie, Research & Policy Officer for Energy Poverty SVP, Darragh Cassidy from Bonkers.ie and more to discuss.

For this week’s Throwback Thursday, Laura Donnelly from the Newstalk Newsroom joins guest host Sinead Ryan to look back on the year that was 2002!

Prison overcrowding is at another crisis point with all secure jails having reached, or exceeded, capacity for the first time.More than 100 prisoners were sleeping on the floors of Mountjoy on Tuesday night when numbers reached a record 1,000.With, clearly, some major issues with the Irish prison system, how can things be solved?Joining guest host Sinead Ryan to discuss is Niall Spelman, retired Prison Governor, Kathleen Chada, Founder of SAVE Action Group, Vincent Jennings, CEO of the Convenience Stores & Newsagents Association and more.

For this week’s Ask the Expert, Andrea is joined by Clare Devereux, Trichologist and Hair Coach to answer any of your hair and scalp questions!

Last night, Meghan Markle’s Netflix cooking show finally dropped, after much anticipation… and it has been roasted by critics and pretty much anyone who has seen it.So, has all interest in Harry and Megan finally waned?Andrea is joined by Founder of Goss.ie, Alexandra Ryan and Entertainment TikTokker Holli Breslin.Image: Netflix