Highlights From Lunchtime Live

For many years, people working in the hospitality sector have depended on tips to make some extra money. As a result of this, a recent poll suggests that three-quarters of hospitality workers say they saw it as a positive recognition of their efforts and nearly as many said, it can influence their customer service levels. Adrian Cummins from the Restaurant Association joined Andrea to discuss this aswell as listeners with their experience and those who work in the hospitality industry.

Have you got a best friend? Or are best friends something 10-year-olds argue about in the playground?Writing in the Irish Independent, Tanya Sweeney says that she doesn’t have a female best friend and sometimes feels like a failure.So how important is it to have a best friend and do we have the wrong ideas about female friendships, given how they are portrayed in movies and films?Joining Andrea was Tanya Sweeney and Stephanie Regan Clinical Psychotherapist

Lunchtime Live got an email in from a listener with an issue she noticed. Mary, whiule travelling on an Aer Lingus flight, noticed that the milk provided to her was not Irish and was in fact milk from Slovakia.Aer Lingus confiremd to us that due to a  temporary shortage of the Irish-produced milk,  sticks an alternative will be used on a short-term basis.Is this an insult to Irish Dairy producers, and should our state carrier only be using Irish goods?Joining Andrea to discuss was Mary TurnerNoel Murphy – Chairperson of ICMSA Dairy Committee Eoghan Corry - Editor of Air & Travel magazine  and Thomas Duffy - Dairy Farmer in CavanAer Lingus statement: Due to an operational issue, our catering partner has experienced a temporary shortage of the Irish-produced milk sticks normally served on Aer Lingus flights. To ensure continuity of service, an alternative has been used on a short-term basis. Normal supply is expected to resume shortly.

Dr Nina Byrnes, GP at Generation Health Medical Clinic joined Andrea Gilligan to tackle your medical queries…

Men and women can often be treated differently when it comes to certain tasks and ideas. It is only nowadays that we are seeing women working in a “man’s job” and a man doing a “woman’s job”, but how stereotypical are we, and how does it feed into our day-to-day life?Many women feel that when they go to buy a new car, they are not taken seriously by the sales representative, and they feel like they are getting cheated out of a good deal… As a woman, has this ever happened to you? Or would you feel confident to go out and buy a car, knowing exactly what you want and how much you're willing to spend?Joining Andrea to discuss is Journalist Yvonne Reddin, Nadia Adan, Founder of Ashford Motors and Joey Donnelly from Crafton Motors.

A video has been circulating of an assault of a young woman in Tipperary…It’s been spoken about many times on this show about why there is a lack of laws and legislations around the distribution of footage from attacks and assaults, but why are people still getting away with it?Joining Andrea to discuss is David Hall, owner of Lifeline Ambulance, Ronan Lupton, Barrister and Senior Council and more.

A voice that is probably familiar to you all from reading the news: Teena Gates was left deflated after a recent incident in Blanchardstown…She joins Andrea to discuss what happened.

Welcome to The Pod Squad!We review podcasts every week so you always have something new to listen to.Elaine Power, host of ‘What’s Trending in F1?’ podcast and Sarah Jayne Tobin, Native Content Editor at DMG Media Ireland join Andrea Gilligan to review ‘Shite Talk: An Irish History Podcast’!Image: HeadStuff Podcasts

With fuel prices rising due to the ongoing war, many people across Ireland are worried about managing their bills in the months ahead.The Government is considering support, including a double fuel allowance payment for vulnerable groups such as pensioners, and a possible extension of the fuel allowance season beyond April, though details are not yet confirmed…Would you accept Government subsidies to help with rising fuel costs, and how much support do you think is needed?Joining Andrea to discuss is Irish Times Consumer Journalist, Conor Pope, owner of Care-a-Lot Childcare Avril Sheehan, as well as listeners.

A social enterprise in Queensland, Australia has brought a virtual reality train journey experience to nursing homes. But how does it work?Joining Seán to discuss is Kim Turner, Co-Founder and Experience Designer of Olive Express…

NASA has given the go ahead for the Artemis II mission to the Moon to launch in April, but what exactly is the mission designed to achieve?Joining Seán to discuss is Peter Gallagher, Director of DIAS Dunsink Observatory in Dublin and former employee of NASA…Image: NASA

A bold new addition to this year’s Chelsea Flower Show is turning heads and raising eyebrows. Organisers have unveiled a sex-themed “pleasure garden” sponsored by a sexual wellness brand, aiming to challenge taboos and spark conversation through plants linked to love, lust, and romance. It’s part of a wider shake-up at the iconic event, which will also see the return of garden gnomes and even contributions from high-profile figures.Joining Seán to discuss is James Whiting, Plant Stylist and Designer of the Pleasure Garden at the Chelsea Flower Show.

It’s become a hallmark of the Trump presidency that visiting world leaders have to sit next to him while he answers questions in the Oval Office. Recently, Trump made a joke about Pearl Harbour in front of the Japanese Prime Minister…Newstalk’s Political Correspondent Seán Defoe has been gathering the most memorable mistakes both from politicians, and joins Seán to discuss.

For this week’s Ask Me Anything, Brian Breathnach, former member of the Garda Water Unit joins Andrea to answer any of your questions!

Today is Daffodil Day. You’ll see people out on the streets collecting money to raise vital funds for the Irish Cancer Society.Andrea decided it would be a good opportunity to be a bit proactive with her health and go and have her skin checked!

Many new fathers are only given two weeks of paternity leave once their baby is born. With the arrival of a new baby being a precious and challenging time, many fathers feel that two weeks off is not enough to help bond with their baby, as well as help their partner to navigate parenthood.Joining Andrea to discuss is Newstalk’s Political Correspondent and new dad Seán Defoe, content creator, mental health advocate and new dad Aidan Loughlin and Shane O’Connor from Lads to Dads.

Breakfast Briefing Presenter Shane Beatty joined Andrea with a roundup of some of the stories from across the country this week.

Cork City Council have sparked debate over their new posters to try to encourage people to pick up after their dog.The controversial poster has the slogan ‘Get your shit together’ which has led to some people saying that it’ll only encourage children to curse.What do you think? Are shock tactics the way to go? Or is it a bad example to set our children?Joining Andrea to discuss is Joe O’Shea, Editor of CorkBeo.ie, as well as listeners.

Newstalk's Lunchtime Live is hosting this town hall event to bring together listeners who have shared their stories of caring for loved ones with intellectual disabilities, and putting their questions to our expert panel.Speakers on the night included Tony Murray of the 'Before We Die’ campaign alongside Solicitors Aileen Curry and David Hickey to discuss and answer questions on The Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act.

With the weather (hopefully) taking a turn for the better, now is a great time to set your garden up for success, but what’s the best way to go about it?This week, the Home Squad are here to discuss how to get the garden ready!Joining Andrea to discuss is Brian Burke Woodie's DIY & Garden Expert and RTÉ Super Garden judge and Hazel Burton from The Home Reset.