Highlights From Lunchtime Live

Should flat faced dogs be banned from crufts? The RSPCA are calling for an end to breeds like Pugs, French Bulldogs and British bulldogs competing at the annual dog show – they fear that it’s making the breeds more popular, and with so many of these suffering from breathing issues – they say it’s a serious concern. Andrea was joined by Gerry Boland, Animal Rights Campaigner, Founder and Spokesperson of Animals Behind Closed Doors, Sean Deimer, Member of health and wellbeing committee of the Irish kennel club and international judge and other listeners to discuss…

To celebrate International Women’s Day, Andrea was joined by some women who work in male-dominated jobs and how they have overcome the struggles faced in such industries. Caitríona Bergin, head of Women in Construction and Quarrying Ireland, Dearbhla Keane, founder of SheConstructs and member of women’s construction and quarrying Ireland and Hannah Kelly, general manager of production on an oyster farm, all joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live…

A proposal has been put forward to completely redesign Stephen’s Green Shopping Centre. Dublin City Council have put forward some objections, saying they have serious concerns. But most of the outcry seems to have come from the public, with people saying we’re ruining the character of the building, and ruining the personalities of our cities. Are we in danger of riping everything with character down and making our cities totally generic? Andrea was joined by Dublin City Councillor, Mannix Flynn, Dermot O’Grady, The Green Gallery in Stephen’s Green, Gwen Leyden, Landlord of Georges Street Arcade and listeners to discuss… Image: Leonard Design Architects

It’s been revealed today that the state paid over €100 million last year on the salaries of teachers in private schools. According to figures released to Newstalk, the bill for two schools in Dublin was over €4 million. The total cost for the 2021-2022 school year was €104.3 million. Should the state be paying the salaries of teachers in fee paying schools? Andrea was joined by listeners to discuss…

Tracey, a listener, got in touch with Lunchtime Live about an incident in which she left her car parked in a taxi rank because she thought she was in labour. She was subsequently fined and appealed her ticket. She joined Andrea to discuss the attitudes towards pregnant women in Ireland...

Should we introduce free public transport in Ireland? AA Ireland are calling upon the Government to introduce free public transport, however Green Party leader Eamon Ryan says that it would 'increase level of unnecessary trips'. Andrea was joined by Green Party Councillor Janet Horner, Feljin Jose, Chairperson of the Dublin Commuter Coalition and other listeners to discuss…

An auction is taking place this weekend in Bray which will see Nazi themed memorabilia such as a statue of Hitler being sold off. Oliver Sears, son of a holocaust survivor and founder of Holocaust Awareness Ireland joined Andrea to discuss…

A judge in Cork District Court says people “acting the maggot” with hospital staff should go to prison. According to the Irish Nursing and Midwives Organisation there were 5,593 reported assaults against nursing and midwifery staff between January 2021 and October 2022. Andrea was joined by Dr Mick Molloy, consultant in emergency medicine in Wexford and member of the IMO consultant committee, Orla a nurse in Wicklow, Mark a student nurse and others to discuss…

Government party leaders are set to meet today to discuss the possible extension of the eviction ban. Landlords are now saying they may leave the market if it stays, because it’s not worth it for them anymore to keep renting out their properties. Andrea was joined on Lunchtime Live by landlords Richard, Michelle, William, Mark and Hugh to discuss…

Residents concerned about gorse fires around the Cork and Kerry area spoke to Andrea on the show today.

39-year-old Christopher Stokes has been jailed for 11 and half years for a horrific attack on a vulnerable woman involving acid, boiling water and an attempt to burn down the house she was in. Survivor, Simone Lee spoke to Andrea about the terrifying ordeal.

Megan Cullen suffers from Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome caused by nerve damage. In 2019, she cut off her own finger to try and ease the pain. Her mother has now set up a gofund me page to help her daughter get the treatment she needs to manage the pain. Catherine, Megan's mother spoke to Andrea on the show

Tomorrow, March 4th marks World Obesity Day. It comes as The World Obesity Federation project that 47% of adults in Ireland will be obese by 2035 - with an annual increase in child obesity of 4.1%. But, are we overstating weight when it comes to conversations about our health? Do we put too much emphasis on the likes of BMI and the numbers we see no the scales? Andrea spoke to listeners to find out. . .

Households around the country are getting their electricity bills over the next few days. And some have come as a very unwelcome surprise. Kitty Byrne, a 100 year old woman in Meath, got a bill of almost a thousand euro for a two month period. Her nephew Frank Dempsey joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live to discuss. Listeners Debbie, Keith and more also joined Andrea on the show…

In September, many parents around the country were relieved when the Government increased the National Childcare Subsidy from 50 cent an hour to €1.10, meaning that creche fees were being reduced. However, since then, another issue has arrived. Parents are now struggling to find places for children looking to attend creches on a part-time basis. Hannah, a mother of 2, Elaine Dunne, Chairperson from the Federation of Early childhood, Ulla and Suzanne joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live to discuss…

A fire which broke out in Wexford General Hospital last night has caused more than 200 patients to be displaced. Patients were evacuated and transferred to hospitals in Kilkenny, Waterford, Cork and Dublin. Andrea was joined by Sandra, whose son Jack was in the hospital, Seamus, a patient in the hospital, and Robbie, whose father is also patient in the hospital. Ian Brennan, General Manager for The National Ambulance Service with Special responsibility for the South East and Padraig Byrne, Journalist with the Wexford People and Independent.ie also joined the programme…

Lunchtime Live have teamed up with Arc Cancer Support Services for an upcoming event and as part of it, Andrea took a trip to the centre in Dublin to see the services and supports they offer...

Should there be an age limit on e-scooters? The European Transport Safety Council has called for an age limit of 16-years-old and also recommended that the use of helmets should be made compulsory. Andrea was joined by listeners on Lunchtime Live to discuss...

An Irish firefighter has been travelling to Ukraine since the beginning of the war to bring aid there. Despite having a family at home, he says he’ll continue returning to Ukraine the war is over. Andrew Laste, from Clonmel in Tipperary, joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live from Ukraine...

TDs salaries are now higher than ever after passing a Celtic Tiger highpoint today. Their basic pay, before expenses, has reached €107,376 from a previous peak of €106,582 in 2008. The Taoiseach’s gross pay is €230,372 following today’s pay rise Do you think our public representatives are paid too much? Andrea was joined by listeners to discuss…