Highlights From Lunchtime Live

Gráinne Ui Luing is a mother of two girls, Caoimhe aged 8, and Fiadh aged 6. Both of her daughters have Cystic Fibrosis, meaning they are constantly in need of antibiotics, physiotherapy, nebulisers etc. Gráinne is now in a dispute with the HSE and the drugs company Vertex which makes the life-changing drug called Kaftrio. Her daughters have been denied this drug as the age group has been excluded from the pharmaceutical deal. This leaves 35 children in Ireland with this condition who have no way of obtaining life-changing medication. Gráinne joined Andrea on the show to tell her story.

All households can now apply for an EV electric car charging point grant in their home, even without owning an electric car. But would you make the move to an electric car? Derek Ryan Nevo and electric vehicle user along with callers joined Andrea Gilligan on the show.

Staff shortages can be seen in many small businesses and hospitality settings but could things be made easier for staff to be recruited and retained. Fianna Fail TD James O’Connor, joined Andrea and Adrian Cummins, CEO of Restaurants association of Ireland to discuss if the work permit if fit for purpose.

Speaking in Australia, Sinn Fein Leader Mary Lou McDonald sent out a rallying call to Irish people living abroad to return home. Andrea was joined by listeners to discuss if Ireland is a good place to come home too.

Whether it’s keeping your elbows off the table or knowing which fork to use for your starter, table manners have been around for a long time. Therese McCullagh-Melia of the Etiquette Academy of Ireland joined Andrea to discuss if people are still bothering to learn table etiquette or if table manners are dying out.

Staff shortages mean nearly two million hours of home help won’t be delivered this year. The HSE estimates about 35,000 hours’ worth of care will not be delivered every week this year, because of staff shortages. Andrea was joined by carer's and those working as carer's to discuss the impact of these shortages.

Calls have been made to equip hospital staff with body cams as more than 34,000 nurses and doctors have been assaulted in the past seven years. Andrea was joined by Stephen McMahon and Liam Herrick to discuss if this is a necessary step in protecting health workers.

AIB announced that 70 of their branches are going cashless.Tara Buckley from RGDATA, the organisation representing Ireland’s community based grocery retailers joined Andrea and listeners to discuss their reaction to this move.

Whether you’re a fan of the old school classics or the fancy new comers there’s a crisp for every occasion and they’re all on display at the inaugural crisp festival in Dublin this weekend. Chris Raymond one of the organisers of Crisp fest joined Andrea to discuss what is in store for crisp lovers of Dublin.

A new Pret A Manger is set to open on Dawson Street in Dublin. It adds to the Starbucks, McDonalds, Subways and countless other chain stores that are operating in our capital and throughout the country. Andrea was joined by listeners and business owners to discuss if chain stores add or take away from a city.

As we try and address the climate change crisis, Andrea was joined by Seamus Boland CEO of Irish Rural Link, Conor Faughnan,Transport commentator and listeners to discuss how they would react to being forced to give up their second car.

Jennifer Lopez has announced she will be adding new husband Ben Affleck's surname to her own, making her Jennifer Lopez Affleck. Irish Independent columnist Kirsty Blake Knox, joined Andrea to discuss why more men don't take their wives’ surnames.

This morning pictures of Burrow beach in Sutton showing a massive volume of rubbish left over from yesterday were posted online by photographer Padraig O'Reilly and locals about what can be done to encourage people to properly dispose of their rubbish.

A new campaign called ‘Through my Eyes’ wants to highlight that those with down syndrome can live full and meaningful lives if they are given the opportunity to reach their full potential. Andrea was joined by Charlie O Reilly and Fiona Malone, spokesperson Down Syndrome Centre to discuss the campaign.

Deliberate heading could be completely banned from football for children under 12 in England in two seasons' time. Andrea was joined by Alan Matthews former Irish football player and manager, Aodhan O’Riordan Labour TD and Runs Football Walking Tour, Shane Byrne Former Rugby International and parents to discuss if we should think about introducing a similar ban here in Ireland.

Listener Lorraine was in touch with the show to discuss if the medical card can be cut off by your pension. She joined Andrea and Nat O’Connor from Age Action Ireland joined Andrea to discuss the issue.

Yewande rose to fame in 2019 after appearing on Love Island alongside Maura Higgins and Greg O’Shea. The Dubliner has gone on to use the platform to speak out about issues surrounding racism and mental health. She joined Andrea to discuss her new book ‘Reclaiming’ which hit shelves last week.

Local business owners and members of the tourism sector in Youghal, County Cork have criticised the current refugee housing plan as the local hotels in the area are fully booked out for the foreseeable future, and tourism in the area are suffering. Andrea was joined by Pádraig Hennessy Youghal Chamber of Tourism and Development president, Eoghan O’Meara Walsh Chief Executive of the Irish Tourism Industry Confederation and Kays Flowers Yougha.

A new major revamp of Sex Education will see the Junior Cert curriculum include lessons about pornography. Young teenagers will be taught about porn, the sharing of sexual as well as consent and gender stereotyping. Andrea was joined by listeners to discuss what these changes mean for students and if porn has a place in classrooms.

Whether you’re all about the thumbs up or the crying laughing face – emoji's have crept into our daily life. To celebrate World Emoji Day – our tech correspondent Jess Kelly joined Andrea Gilligan live from Waterford.