Highlights From Lunchtime Live

Ryanair’s baggage policy has long been a point of contention for travelers across Europe. With strict limits on free carry-on items and added fees for larger bags, the airline says it’s keeping costs low and flights on time.But, critics argue it’s confusing and costly for passengers.So, what are Ryanair’s baggage rules? Do they work, why are they in place, and what do they mean for travelers?Joining Andrea to discuss is frequent flyer Conor Wilkinson, Ciara Mooney, frequent flyer and Travel Agent and Travel Blogger Tara Povey.

From a budgie in a beer garden to Turkey hotel heroics, Breakfast Briefing Presenter Shane Beatty joins Andrea with plenty of stories from around the country this week!

Apparently, young people think they’ve more hope of getting a council house, than ever being able to afford one themselves.How has the housing situation gotten this bad?What can we do to help young people?Joining Andrea to discuss is Charlie Weston, Irish Independent Personal Finance Editor, Newstalk Reporter Barry Whyte, Clement Herron from Clement Herron Real Estate as well as listeners.

When you’re looking to buy a home, how can you estimate what the costs will be to do it up during a viewing?Well, the Home Squad are here to help you train that eye!Andrea is joined by Jenny Sheehan, Irish Examiner Columnist and former winner of ‘Home of the Year’ and Quantity Surveyor Patricia Power to discuss.

When you go on a girls-only trip, is it incident free? Or, just like the three women in ‘The White Lotus’, does it descend into drama and disaster? To talk about friendships ‘on holiday’, Andrea is joined by Chrissie Russell, Features Writer with the Irish Independent and Sarah-Jayne Tobin, Editor at DMG Media.Image: HBO

People Before Profit-Solidarity TD Paul Murphy has suggested that there should be open access to university.That means that he wants degrees to be made freely available to all, with none or limited points restrictions.What do you think about this idea? Is it something you would support?Joining Andrea to discuss is Brian Mooney, Guidance Counsellor and Irish Times Columnist, Architect Roisin Murphy, Dr. Ellen Howley, Assistant Professor at DCU’s School of English as well as listeners.Image: UCD

Move over Paris and Milan, it’s Ireland’s turn!This October, the very first Irish Fashion Week takes place.Coming from the mind of Irish entrepreneur Ashley McDonnell, Ireland Fashion Week will be a nationwide effort and take place from October 6-10th 2025. It may be the first, but we’ve long had a healthy supply of world-class talent when it comes to fashion design…Joining Andrea to discuss the event is Ashley McDonnell, Emma Manley, Creative Director of Manley Irish womenswear fashion brand, Lia Cowan, Fashion Designer and Celia Holman-Lee, Model Agent.Image: @irelandfashionweek on Instagram

The Chief Executive of JP Morgan has ordered his staff to stop reading emails when other people are talking…It is something we have all experienced – you're talking in a meeting and look down to a sea of faces scrolling on their phones...Should we all put a stop to it?Joining Andrea to discuss is Business Coach, Mentor and author Padraic O'Maille and Aisling Owens Nash, Head Networking Leader for Ireland at Mums in Business International.

With rising diagnosis rates, there’s growing debate about whether ADHD is being accurately identified or misdiagnosed in Ireland.Minister Mary Butler claims this is driving spiraling waiting list numbers…Joining Andrea to discuss this is Dr. Sarah Carty, GP, Sarah Kelly, SpeakEasy Speech and Language Therapist as well as listeners.

This good weather has us naturally excited for the summer, and although we’re not quite there yet, it's not too premature to get the barbecues out!With their tips and recipes, Andrea is joined by Chef Dylan McGrath and Catherine Fulvio, owner of Ballyknocken House & Cookery School.

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…

Good news this week for all of us that have been worried - Madonna has said she and Sir Elton John have "buried the hatchet" and put an end to their decades-long feud.Apparently, they’ve been beefing since the early 2000’s.It may have been keeping you awake at night, but there’s no doubt that there is some fascination to be had with these celebrity feuds.Joining Andrea to discuss some more examples is Sinead Dalton, Editor of Evoke.ie.Image: Reuters

Listener Aine got in touch with the show about an issue she is dealing with.Ryanair has supposedly lost her nephew’s wheelchair. He is paralyzed from the chest down, and because of that he is stuck in bed on their holiday in Portugal.Aine joins Andrea to discuss more.

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 ovulation and sex.

In the good weather, the question can pop up: is there a need for separate mens and womens bathing areas outdoors?Joining Andrea to discuss is Ciara Treacy from Newstalk’s Digital Team, Cllr. Donna Cooney, Deputy Lord Mayor and swimmer with Dollymount Dames and Jono Griffin from The Wild and Free Adventure Company in Donegal.

New laws to crack down on Airbnb-style accommodation have been delayed after a pushback from a number of Kerry ministers.They argue that the proposal - which would effectively ban the long-term tourist rental of homes in large towns and cities - would have a knock on effect on the tourism industry.What do you think? Will an Airbnb crackdown hurt tourism?Andrea is joined by listeners to discuss.

Breakups are worthy of celebrating...That is according to Journalist and author Rebecca Reid, who joins guest host Anna Daly to discuss how she came to that conclusion. Also joining to discuss is Claire Auchmuty, Divorce and Relationship Coach.

For this week’s Ask the Expert, guest host Anna Daly is joined by Podiatrist Niall Donohoe to answer any of your foot-related questions, and discuss how to look after your feet after a marathon.

A drug designed to slow down cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s, Kisunla, has so far been turned down for approval by the EU.This has led to huge frustration amongst Alzheimer’s experts that hailed the drug as a game-changer.Joining guest host Anna Daly to discuss is Dr. Laura O’Philbin, Research and Policy Manager at the Alzheimer Society of Ireland, Professor Sean Kennelly, Clinical Director of the Institute of Memory and Cognition in Tallaght University Hospital and listeners who have been personally impacted by the disease.Image: Eli Lilly

Scientists have brought back Dire Wolves from the dead in the world's first-ever de-extinction project…Dire Wolves were large, white-coated canines that disappeared 13,000 years ago, but now three pups have been born back into the world.The mixed DNA was transferred into donor egg cells, and the embryos put into a surrogate mother. She birthed the three healthy pups in October 2024.To discuss the news, and whether or not it’s a good idea, guest host Anna Daly is joined by Emma Teeling, Full Professor of Zoology at UCD School of Biology and Environmental Science and Collie Ennis, Zoology Research Associate at Trinity College Dublin.Image: HBO