Highlights From Lunchtime Live

There has been a big increase in car loans in Ireland. Close to €850 million was drawn down last year to fund the purchase of 66,200 vehicles.This is a rise of 14% on the previous year...Have we, in Ireland, become obsessed with fancy cars?Joining Andrea to discuss is Shane O’Donoghue, Editor with Completecar.ie, Nadia Adan, Owner of Ashford Motors in Wicklow, as well as listeners.

Is it a good idea to seek out fertility testing early, and how effective is it for those who want children later in life? Newstalk Reporter Bella Finn did the hard work for the show, with an AMH test from Sims IVF Clinic, and joins Andrea to discuss the process.

With the sun shining this bright - you’re probably in the mood to get your BBQ set up…The Home Squad are here to talk about all things cooking outdoors!Joining Andrea to discuss is Jenny Sheehan former ‘Home of the Year’ winners who is on Instagram as @workerscottage and Kate O’Driscoll, who you might know on Instagram as @victorianrathmines.

Today we're talking about one of the most talked-about family dramas in the celebrity world: the rumored feud between Victoria and David Beckham and their daughter-in-law, Nicola Peltz. From wedding tensions to social media shade, what’s really going on behind the scenes?Joining Andrea to discuss is Founder of Society PR, Avila Lipsett and Alexandra Ryan from Goss.ie.

Residents of a housing estate in north County Dublin have voiced serious concerns over unfinished infrastructure, specifically the absence of speed bumps that were promised in the original planning permission. Four years after moving in, locals say the lack of traffic-calming measures poses a danger to their children’s safety and are calling for urgent action…Andrea is joined by local residents to discuss.

We’ve decided to do a deep dive on some of our favourite albums to explore the stories behind them.What did the band 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 us through the Fleetwood Mac album Rumours…

RTÉ’s Eurovision Head of Delegation Michael Kealy has said it “feels wrong” when others suggest the broadcaster boycott the Eurovision Song Contest.There has been controversy over Israel’s participation in the 69th Eurovision Song Contest, with many calls for RTÉ to pull out of the event.That obviously hasn’t happened and Ireland is competing tonight, along with Israel.Are you disappointed that we are going ahead with the song contest?Andrea is joined by Newstalk’s Henry McKean reporting from Basel, Frank Dermody, President of Ireland’s Eurovision Fan Club, Zoe Lawlor, Chairperson of the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign and more to discuss.

Some Dublin taxi drivers are operating a loophole to take fares in Drogheda, and local taxi drivers are not happy…Andrea is joined by taxi drivers to discuss what is going on.

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…

Despite efforts to reduce childcare costs, many Irish families continue to face significant financial burdens. Recent reports highlight that families paying up to €1,138 monthly for childcare receive a subsidy of €414, leaving them with a €724 out-of-pocket expense.To achieve the Government’s target of €200 monthly childcare costs, an additional €524 per child per month would be required.So, is the Government dropping the ball here?Joining Andrea to discuss is Siobhan O’Neill-White from mams.ie, as well as listeners.

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 the 9 to 12 of pregnancy, the end of the first trimester…

Big Brother is back, and this year, they want you! Big Brother bosses are keen for Irish contestants to apply. If you’ve got a big personality and aren’t afraid to be watched 24/7, this could be your moment.Andrea is joined by Ray Shah, former Big Brother Contestant, to discuss the application process, and what it’s really like inside the house.

Businessman Denis O’Brien has blasted working from home as “...a load of nonsense”.He claimed Ireland’s reputation as a place to do business is at risk, and working from home is now a threat to the economy, because it has caused a loss of competitiveness, energy, creativity and ideas.What do you think? Should we all be returning to the office?Joining Andrea to discuss is Neil McDonnell, CEO of ISME, Laura Bambrick, Social Policy Officer with the Irish Congress of Trade Unions and Larissa Feeney, CEO of Kinore.

An investigation has found that many children in Ireland may have undergone unnecessary hip surgeries at Children's Health Ireland…The probe could stretch back 15 years, raising serious questions about oversight, ethics, and patient safety.Joining Andrea to discuss this is Leader of Aontú, Peadar Tóibín and some of those affected.

For this week’s Ask the Expert, Andrea is joined by Dr. Justin Roche, Consultant Paediatrician at The National Tongue Tie Centre, to explain what tongue tie is, how it affects babies, and what can be done about it.

While you will no doubt be cheering on Norwegian singer Emmy who will be representing Ireland at the Eurovision semi finals on Thursday – there will be no harm in bopping to Croatia’s entry ‘Poison Cake’ appearing in the first leg of the semi-finals from Switzerland tonight. That is because the song was co-written by Balbriggan school teacher and singer-songwriter Ben Pyne, who joins Andrea to discuss! 98fm’s Russell Alford also joins to discuss Ireland’s chances.

The Vintners Federation of Ireland has called for a 40% rebate in excise on pints of beer sold in pubs.They say a rebate on draught beers would help protect rural pubs as the sector struggles with high costs.What do you think?Should rural pubs be given a tax rebate?Andrea is joined by listeners to discuss.

Petmania Pet Store is hosting their inaugural ‘Ruby Heart Awards’ in which, among other categories, they will honour pet-friendly workplaces.One of the suggestions of how a workplace might be more pet-friendly includes offering employees pet bereavement leave.What do you think?Should businesses offer so-called ‘pet-ernity leave’?Caroline Reidy, Managing Director of the HR Suite, and HR & Employment Law Expert, Declan O’Keefe from Dec’s Pets, a pet care retailer in Wexford as well as listeners join Andrea to discuss.

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 General Secretary of the Gaelic 4 Mothers & Others in Ranelagh Anne, Marie Genin, as well as player Monika Kurowska Tazbir. It’s a fun, non-competitive way for women to get active, meet new people, and enjoy Gaelic Football, no matter their skill level!

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