Highlights From Lunchtime Live

With more people exploring Ireland by motorhome, pressure is growing for better parking and camping facilities.But, are we doing enough to support this booming travel trend?Joining Anna Daly to discuss is Kieran Donovan, Chairperson at Phoenix Motorhomes, Peter Kavanaugh from Motor Home Enthusiasts Ireland and more.

Over 40 civil society organisations are gathering outside Leinster House today under the banner ‘Together for Public Alliance’.Organisers say that we are 100 days into the new Government and, despite promises for reform, we are yet to see significant action to tackle the childcare crisis.What do you think? Is the Government failing on childcare?Joining guest host Anna Daly to discuss is Rachel Coyle, National Women’s Council Head of Campaigns and Mobilisation, Paula Donohoe, owner of Clever Cloggs Creche in Co Cavan & Chairperson of the Association of Childhood Professionals, Avril Green, Graduate Lead Educator and Chair of SIPTU Early Years National Committee and more.

This bank holiday weekend seems to have taken a lot of people by surprise!Hot off the heels of Easter’s 4-day weekend, another one is already here - with hopefully some sun to boot!Joining Andrea to give their top recommendations for a last-minute trip is Travel Journalist April Drew (who’s on Instagram as Getaways with Kids) and Sinéad Kennedy, Independent Travel Agent and Host of Wellness Activity Breaks.

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…

The topic of SUVs has been covered on the show before, and the impact they can have on the environment. A big defence for them is often the safety aspect, and how people feel safer inside them than saloon cars.Well, new research out today says children are over 80% more likely to die if they are hit by an SUV than by a smaller car, and that pedestrians and cyclists are 44% more likely to die if hit by an SUV…So, is it time to rethink our love for them?Andrea is joined by owner of Crofton Motors in Dublin, Joey Donnelly, as well as 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 the best advice for the early stages of pregnancy.

Video games are the world's most valuable entertainment industry, estimated to be worth more than $220 billion, twice as much as films and recorded music, combined!So, it’s no surprise that films based on games are replacing superhero blockbusters…Joining Andrea to discuss this new big screen trend is Padraig Ryan from Geek Ireland and Movie Critic Brian Lloyd.Image: Warner Bros Pictures

Bars will be closed at David Gray’s upcoming concert at the 3Arena this weekend.The 3Arena shared a post on social media saying: ‘Once David Gray goes on stage, all bars will close and will remain closed for the duration of the show…’It follows complaints of a raucous crowd constantly coming and going from the bar in the 3Arena during his performance there earlier this month.What do you think? Are they right to close the bars at the 3Arena for David Gray’s performance?Andrea is joined by Dave Hanratty, Host of the ‘No Encore’ Music Podcast, and listeners, to discuss.

For this week’s Ask the Expert, Andrea is joined by top Irish skin expert Eavanna Breen, who shares her insights on caring for pale or sensitive skin, tackling rosacea, and what really works when it comes to treatments like laser.

We’re on a mission to find Ireland’s Best Lollipop Person - the everyday heroes keeping our children safe on the school run! What does the job involve, and what makes someone truly stand out?Sinéad Crowther, Founder of Tonstix, Search for Ireland's Best Lollipop’s Person joins Andrea to discuss.

New research shows that being shouted at by parents can reshape a child’s brain, raising the risk of mental health issues and social difficulties.So, is it ok to shout at your children?Joining Andrea to discuss is Ollwyn Moran, Neuro Developmental Therapist & Founder of COGNI Kids and listeners.

Are we (literally) lost without our phones?Are we relying too much on Google Maps to get us from A to B in the car; which doesn't always bring us the best way?Two weeks ago, Mountain Rescue England and Wales published figures showing a record number of annual callouts; are we lost in every sense of the word without access to GPS?Joining Andrea to discuss is Editor at completecar.ie, Shane O’Donoghue, 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 Knitting Teacher from ‘Knit with Helen’, Helen Crawford, to talk about all the benefits to gain from knitting!

Kneecap have apologised to the families of two former British MPs who were murdered in recent years, and said they do not support Hamas or Hezbollah, after videos from past gigs came to the attention of police and politicians.The Belfast rap group released a statement after a video appeared to show a member shouting “up Hamas, up Hezbollah”, while the other appeared to show a member saying: “The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP”.Kneecap took the opportunity to also criticise what they describe as a “smear campaign” against them over their support for Palestine.They wrote: “Establishment figures, desperate to silence us, have combed through hundreds of hours of footage and interviews, extracting a handful of words from months or years ago to manufacture moral hysteria”.What are your thoughts on this? Was Kneecap right to apologise?Andrea is joined by Alan Buckley, Head Tour Guide at the Irish Rock ‘N’ Roll Museum Experience, as well as listeners, to discuss.Image: Kneecap

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

He may be legally and constitutionally barred from serving a third term in office, but that hasn't stopped Donald Trump putting ‘TRUMP 2028’ red caps on sale. His online store crashed due to the demand.Will the power of merchandising shape the narrative, and no matter how impossible, will TRUMP 2028 be an inescapable force for the next few years?Joining Andrea to discuss is Lorraine Carter from Persona Branding & Design and Professor Scott Lucas, Professor of American Studies and International Politics at University College Dublin.Image: Trump Store

As rail fare and zonal adjustments come into effect today from Irish Rail, including Leap Cards becoming available over a wider area, we’re asking the question: should we be trialing free travel?  Joining Andrea to discuss is Conor Reddy, People Before Profit Councilor for Ballymun-Finglas, Gary Marshall, Committee Member of Dublin Commuters, Lochlann Gallagher, Chair of Galway Commuters Coalition and Travel Writer Melanie May.

Clare and Limerick are teaming up in a bid to host EuroPride, Europe's most significant LGBT+ event, in 2028.If they are successful, Ireland would play host to the international event for the first time, which attracts around 100,000 visitors from around the world.Amongst those steering the West of Ireland bid for EuroPride 2028 is Bernie O’Gorman, Chair of QuareClare, Lisa Daly from Limerick Pride and Eddie McGuinness, Director and Founder of The Outing Queer Arts Collective and Festival.They join Andrea to discuss!

Welcome to The Pod Squad!We review podcasts every week so you always have something new to listen to.Today FM’s Shelly Gray and 98fm’s Russell Alford join Andrea to review ‘Good Hang’!Image: The Ringer

Should Gardaí receive financial assistance to purchase homes given the current housing crisis?Members of the Gardaí Representative Association at their annual conference today will debate a motion to call on the Government to introduce an “enhanced scheme” to allow Gardaí to purchase homes using State assistance.What do you think about this idea?Could it help with recruitment and retention of rank-and-file Gardaí?Should subsidised housing be something that is made available for all civil servants?Joining Andrea to discuss is Tara McManus, Assistant General Secretary of the Garda Representative Association, Eoin Dolan, Principal of Mother of Divine Grace National School in Finglas, Ray Cooke, CEO of Ray Cooke Auctioneers and listeners.