Highlights From Lunchtime Live

More than half of Irish adults say that they gift €50 or more to a niece or nephew for their communion / confirmation.So, what is the going rate for a communion present?Andrea is joined by Tanya Sweeney, Columnist with the Irish Independent as well as listeners to discuss.

Should we go ahead with plans for a Dublin Metro?Yesterday, it emerged that Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien has been formally warned that the cost could exceed €23 billion. That is about five times the cost on which approval was originally sought by the National Transport Authority.So, should we put a stop to Metro plans before the price balloons out of control?Andrea is joined by Broadcaster and Architect, Duncan Stewart, as well as listeners, to discuss…

Welcome to The Pod Squad!We review podcasts every Tuesday so you always have something new to listen to.98fm’s Russell Alford and Tom Douglas from the Newstalk Newsroom join Andrea to review ‘The Scam Factory’!Image: Wondery

Irish people who worked in the UK could be entitled to a generous state pension pay out, but the April 5th deadline is looming...Do you qualify for it?Andrea is joined by John Ring from XtraPension Ltd to answer listener questions.

Around one in twenty children are now being diagnosed with autism.That is a three times increase in the amount of diagnoses ten years ago.So, where has this increase come from?To discuss, Andrea is joined by Eleanor McSherry, former Head of Autism Studies in UCC, Chair of Involve Autism, Miriam Kenny and more.

A ghost busting team has been investigating paranormal activity at the Irish Wake Museum in Waterford.It’s after numerous reports from staff and trades workers claiming to have seen reflections of children in the glass…It begs the question: do you believe in ghosts?Andrea is joined by Laura Nugent, Tour Guide at Wake Museum Waterford, Cliona Purcell, Museum Curator also at the Wake Museum and Anthony Kerrigan, Paranormal Researcher with GhostÉire to discuss.

It’s How I Live Well time! Where Andrea Gilligan is joined by someone to discuss what they do to improve their life.This week, Andrea is joined by Nurse Helen Tuffy to discuss hot and cold therapy!

Should households receive charges for excessive water use?Would it encourage those to fix leaks on their property and other preventable causes of wasting water?Andrea is joined by listeners to discuss.

Dr Niall Breen from the Portmarnock GP Clinic joined Andrea Gilligan to tackle your medical queries.

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!