Highlights From Lunchtime Live

Last night, the ROSA Socialist Feminist Movement organised a march against gender violence outside Dublin City Hall following the conclusion of the civil sexual assault case between Nikita Hand and Conor McGregor.Andrea was there to get the thoughts of attendees, including Natasha O’Brien.

“Everything flipped and I thought from this point on, my life was never going to be the same…” Broadcaster Sean Defoe shared his reaction to receiving a cancer diagnosis on Lunchtime Live last year, and today, he joins Andrea again to discuss his health and how Seán feels about the diagnosis one year on.Andrea is also joined by some listeners who similarly got a diagnosis and how it impacted them and their families.

Christmas has well and truly started; people have put up trees and present shopping is well underway…So, when you’re buying these festive gifts, how important is it to support local, Irish businesses?Over the next few weeks, Andrea will be speaking with Irish producers across the country about the wonderful things they have on offer.Today, Andrea is joined by Niamh Devereux, Editor of Irish Country Magazine and Dee Laffan, Editor-in-Chief of Scoop Food Magazine to discuss.

This year on Lunchtime Live we’ve been looking at things that we can do in order to make ourselves that bit happier and healthier.This week, to talk about the importance of mental health for young LGBTQ+ people, Andrea is joined by Ruadhán Ó Críodáin, Executive Director of Shoutout.

What would you think about having a Luas in every city in Ireland?In a new Transport Plan published this morning, the Labour Party say they want the Luas in all 5 Irish cities with a view of at least 15 new lines by 2040.So, do we need a Luas in every city?Andrea is joined by listeners to discuss.

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

The demand for real Christmas trees has risen to record levels, but is there supply there to meet it?Christy Kavanagh, Christmas tree grower in Wicklow, joins Andrea to discuss.

What would you think about your child spending most of their school days learning outdoors?Well, the Green Party want to introduce 'forest schools' to foster a respect for nature among young people in Ireland.The party say the model has been successful in Scandinavia, and want to introduce a pilot scheme in which most of the school day every week is spent outdoors, “rain, wind or shine.”What do you think about this idea?Joining Andrea to discuss is Jennifer Dungan from Dalkey School Projects, Ciara Hinksman, Founding Chair of the Irish Forest School Association and more.

There was a difficult exchange between Taoiseach Simon Harris and disability worker Charlotte Fallon over the weekend during canvassing.In the video, you can hear Charlotte accuse the Government of ignoring the disability sector. However Simon Harris denied that, before walking away from her.Andrea is joined by carers to discuss and give their reactions.

This is Lunchtime Live’s Big Batch. Every Monday we’ll be learning new easy to cook batch recipes to keep you eating well. No more staring into an open fridge looking for inspiration!This week, Andrea is joined by Siobhan Berry, from @mummycooks on Instagram, to look at how you can use a slow cooker to make amazing meals to stick in the freezer! And they’re baby friendly too!Follow the hashtag #LLBigBatch for all our recipes.

Retailers around the country are being urged to boycott Conor McGregor’s stout and whiskey brands.This comes after he was found liable in a civil court for the sexual assault of Nikita Hand.Is it a good idea?Joining Andrea to discuss is Clíona Saidléar, Rape Crisis Network Ireland Executive Director, Aimmée Millar, Senior Public Affairs Advisor with Carr Communications, Jess Kelly, Newstalk’s Tech Correspondent and Harper Cleaves from ROSA - the Socialist Feminist Movement.

Every Friday, as part of our ‘Ask Me Anything’ series, we put your questions to people from interesting backgrounds or working in different careers.This week, Andrea was joined by Pat Falvey, explorer, adventurer and mountaineer to answer any of your questions, including what it was like to climb Mount Everest!

We’re a week out from visiting our local polling station – often a school – and today the National Parents Council have called for alternative facilities to be used to stop needless disruption to working parents.What are your thoughts, should local GAA clubs or parish halls be used more? Does running an election on a weekend morning facilitate greater turnout and avoid school closure?Andrea is joined by listeners to discuss.

A study by Showcase Cinemas has voted Home Alone as the best Christmas film – but what elements make a good Christmas film?Joining Andrea to discuss and share their favourites is Rory Cashin, Entertainment Journalist, Cara O'Doherty, Film Reviewer and Bella Finn from Newstalk’s Newsroom.Image: 20th Century Fox

From a Grammy winner starting out working in Galway to poems on the menu in Sligo, Breakfast Briefing Presenter Shane Beatty joins Andrea with plenty of stories from around the country this week!

Noel Gallagher, 33, from Dadreen, Louisburgh, Co Mayo, was sentenced to four years in prison earlier this month.Sometime between 2006 and 2007 when Noel was 15 years old, he raped his cousin Dylan Gallagher, who was 9 years old at the time.Mr Justice David Keane praised Dylan Gallagher's strength, resilience, dignity and perseverance.Dylan joins Andrea to discuss.If this podcast affected you in any way, there are places that can help:Dublin Rape Crisis Centre - www.drcc.iemensaid.ie or National Confidential Helpline – 01 554 3811

Whether you’re an early bird or hanging on closer to December, you’ve probably started to think about putting the Christmas decorations up. From storage to making your room more classy and less tacky – the home squad are here to help!Róisín Lafferty, Founder and Creative Director of Róisín Lafferty and Emma Delaney, Senior Interior Designer from April & the Bear join Andrea to discuss.

Hopefully you heard some of our Election Special yesterday, where we heard from you about what issues you wanted raised in the upcoming vote, and we put those issues to our politicians.One person who was there and heard it all was Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal Consultant Ruth Maxwell, and she joins Andrea to discuss her reaction to what the politicians had to say on crime.

The Lidl or Aldi ‘Middle Aisle’ has become a world of its own.There seems to be so many stories of people getting lost down the middle aisle, spending a fortune and coming home with a kayak when they only went out for cheese!So, what’s the appeal?Andrea is joined by Jess Kelly, Newstalk’s Tech Correspondent Laura MullettIN: Fashion Stylist, Journalist and Broadcaster, Damian O'Reilly Lecturer in Retail Management at TU Dublin and more to discuss.

Are you a hoarder, or maybe just find it difficult to part with certain things? Have you ever considered taking a leaf out of Sweden’s book and doing a ‘death clean’?Kathy Donaghy, Journalist with the Irish Independent is writing about this, and joins Andrea along with listeners to discuss.