Highlights From Lunchtime Live

A new ad campaign by the Road Safety Authority shows blood on the hands of those who drink and drive, as well as those who don’t call it out.But, is it too gruesome? Or do we need this shock factor to call out those who drink to drive?Joining Andrea to discuss is Sarah O’Connor, Director of Partnerships and External Affairs at the RSA, Dominic Brophy, Director of Professional Driving Instructors Association, Mairead McDonnell Teacher and Psychotherapist, as well as listeners.Image: RSA

As work becomes increasingly sedentary, the need to prioritise physical activity and wellbeing in the workplace has never been more important. Integrating movement into the workday isn’t just good for health — it boosts productivity, morale, and long-term performance.Joining Andrea to discuss is Darina Dunne, Chair of the The Irish Physical Activity Alliance, Behaviour Change Consultant Marianna Costello and Colin Ryan from the HR Buddy.

We’ve decided to do a deep dive on some of our favourite albums to explore the stories behind them.What did the artists really think of each other? Where did the inspirations from the songs come from?Joining Andrea to discuss is Head Tour Guide at the Irish Rock ‘N’ Roll Museum Experience, Alan Buckley, who’s going to talk through 1992’s ‘A Woman’s Heart’!

Have you had to deal with a disruptive or unruly passenger while aboard a flight? Well, in a bid to tackle what they call an “industry-wide” issue - low fares airline Ryanair are set to introduce a €500 fine for passengers who have been removed from the plane due to unruly behaviour. But, is this a fair measure - will it act as enough of a deterrent, and have you had a flying experience ruined by a rude and disruptive passenger?Joining Andrea to discuss is Travel Writer Joan Scales, as well as listeners.

The average cost for health insurance has gone up €480 in the past two years.Insurers are saying it's down to an increase in medical claims, the higher costs of medicine and a big increase in people having procedures done in private hospitals.So, is there anything we can actually do about it?Andrea is joined by Dermot Goode, Health Insurance expert with Totalhealthcover.ie to discuss.

Music festival Beyond the Pale has a new backer and is all set for this weekend.But, there were rumours during the week that it was going to be shut down.So, what’s going on with the event?Joining Andrea to give the latest update is Beyond the Pale Festival Organiser, Declan Forde.

Lunchtime Live's Reasons to be Happy looks at some of the news stories that you might have missed that will leave you feeling more optimistic.98FM’s Cathal O’Sullivan joined Andrea in the studio to put a smile on your faces…

This week is National Carer’s week.We have spoken to carers many times on this show – about the impact they make, and the supports they need.Last year we campaigned on it, asking: who cares for the carers?So, has anything changed in the past year?Andrea is joined by listeners to discuss.

Every Wednesday afternoon, we’ll be talking Making Babies.Andrea will be joined by Professor Shane Higgins, Master of the National Maternity Hospital to cover every area of trying to have a baby. From the very start of knowing how to prepare, right up to pregnancy – and all the bumps in the road in between.This week, Shane joins Andrea to discuss all things inducing labour.

How hard is it for students to get a summer job?Are there part time summer roles out there, or have they all dried up?One listener got in touch because this is an issue his daughter is having…He joins Andrea, along with the CV Doctor Seanie Clifford to discuss.

Over 4,500 people have signed a petition that says public transport options for Irish pet owners are "severely limited".As more people treat pets like family, there’s growing interest in letting them travel by bus, train, or tram.Today we’re asking: Should public transport in Ireland be more pet friendly?Joining Andrea to discuss is Laoise Downes, Owner of Outpaws and Wedding Woofs, Lynsey of FitDog.ie, 98fm’s Russell Alford and more.

For this week’s Ask the Expert, Andrea is joined by Estate Agent for Hunters MD Rowena Quinn to answer any of your property-related questions!

A school in Galway is offering €2,000 to new pupils who join the school in an attempt to prevent the loss of its second teacher.Scoil Naomh Pádraig in Connemara is set to lose three of its seven pupils next September, and therefore, its second teacher.The Parents Committee’s fundraiser has brought in €14,000 to potentially share with seven families that choose to educate their children at the Gaelscoil, which is located between loughs Corrib and Mask in north Connemara.Joining Andrea to discuss is Ruaidhrí Kineavy, Treasurer for the Parents Committee for the school.

Almost half of people getting married are willing to go into debt to fund their wedding celebrations, according to a survey from online savings platform Raisin Bank.With the average cost of an Irish wedding currently between €10,000 and €20,000 – have things gotten too expensive?Joining Andrea to discuss is Lyndsey Moynagh, Wedding Planner, Social Media Content Creator Holly Carpenter, Broadcaster and Sustainability Influencer Fionnula Moran and Senior Newstalk Producer Helena O’Toole.

Recent figures from Cars Ireland reveal manual car sales have dropped by over 50% in the last ten years, while automatic sales have skyrocketed by more than 500%.So, will automatics soon take over completely, or do drivers still hold on to the thrill of changing gears themselves?Joining Andrea to discuss is Brenda Bolger, Driving Instructor from the Bolger School of Motoring in Kilkenny, Nadia Adan, owner of Ashford Motors, as well as listeners.

It’s How I Live Well time! Where someone joins to discuss what they do to improve their life…This week, Andrea is joined by Marie McDonald and Carmel Reidy from Greystones Scrabble Club to discuss the benefits behind this timeless board game!

Love Island returned to our screens last night, much to the delight of many.But, does the show perpetuate unrealistic standards of beauty?Joining Andrea to discuss is Holli Breslin, Entertainment TikTok Reporter, Orlaith Condon, Co-Host of ‘My Pod on Paper’, Mikie O'Loughlin, Showbiz Editor of RSVP and Kerry Hanafy, Clinic Owner for Kerry Hanaphy Aesthetic Clinic.Image: Hulu

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

Phones have become an extension of ourselves, an ever-present feature as we make our way through our days.But, a pub in Cork has decided to go offline…Michael Droney and Pat Bourke, owners of The O’Sho, join Andrea to discuss!

School's out, and it's time to scream and shout! But, for many parents, the real juggling act begins. In Italy, some parents are even turning to therapy to cope with what they call the ‘nightmare’ of the three-month summer holiday.So, how are you planning to keep the kids entertained this summer? Are summer camps the answer, or are they just too expensive for the average family?Joining Andrea to discuss is Katie Makk, parent and host of the ‘Opinions Matter’ podcast, Mary McCarthy, columnist for the Irish Independent, Ollwyn Moran, Neuro Developmental Therapist & Founder of COGNI Kids and Marie O’Reilly, Publisher of children’s magazine Primary Times.