Highlights From Lunchtime Live

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 answer all of your questions!

Irish farmers have welcomed a proposed restriction on using terms like “sausage” and “burger” for vegan products, arguing that such labels can mislead consumers and unfairly borrow from traditional meat branding. They see this as a “cynical” marketing tactic by plant-based producers.However, vegan advocates argue these terms simply describe the product’s shape or style, not its ingredients, and help consumers understand how to use them. The debate highlights ongoing tensions between the meat industry and the growing plant-based sector.Joining Andrea to discuss is Deputy President of the Irish Creamery Association and Milk Supplier Association and Chair of the National Dairy Council, Eamon Carroll, Chef at vegan and vegetarian restaurant Glas in Dublin, Malte, Political Editor of the Irish Farmers Journal, Pat O’Toole and more.Image: Beyond Meat

Do you live near a busy road? Or a loud trainline?More than 1 million of us are apparently exposed to high levels of transport noise.The noise exceeds the thresholds set under EU reporting rules around harming health.So, how is it affecting you?Joining Andrea to discuss is Dr Eoin King, a Noise Specialist based at the University of Galway, Cathal Crowe TD & Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Aviation and Logistics and listeners.

With today being the end of the Leaving Cert exams, for this week’s Ask the Expert, Andrea is joined by Laura Walshe, Career Guidance Counsellor with FindYourPath to discuss students’ next steps, including the CAO Change of Mind.

Irish-grown wool has now been a loss maker for farmers for many years.That's despite it being such an iconic feature of the country’s craft heritage and traditional clothing.So stakeholders across the country are trying to establish an Irish wool brand mark to protect it.President of the Wool Council, Barrister and Farmer, Brian McInerney and Pat Kane, Sustainability Advocate and Strategist join Andrea to discuss.

Speed cameras can be a help and a hindrance on our roads, with many people slowing down when they see a camera up ahead, only to increase again when they pass it.One in four admit to speeding: so how do we police speeding on smaller roads?Andrea is joined by listeners to discuss.

The Irish language has taken the world by storm in recent years. Films like An Cailín Ciúin and bands as big as Kneecap have launched Gaeilge to a whole new demographic. The new TG4 Irish crime series Crá has become a global phenomenon, reaching 68 countries worldwide.What has caused this spike in interest? Andrea is joined by Ciaran Charles, Producer of Crá, as well as Screen Ireland Spokesperson Louise Ryan and Entertainment Journalist Brian Lloyd to discuss.Image: TG4

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 SynerChi Kombucha Founder and ‘Brewmaster’ Laura Murphy to talk about the benefits you can get from the fermented drink.

New proposals going to cabinet this week suggest an entire revamp of the GPO complex.According to early plans, the site would house a major museum, with room for arts events, exhibitions, office spaces, and even some retail, making it a vibrant, mixed-use destination.Is this what we need to fix O’Connell Street?Andrea is joined by listeners to discuss.

Dr Sumi Dunne, GP in Laois, joined guest host Adrian Kennedy to tackle your medical queries…

Actor Holt McCallany has claimed his Irish mother would’ve “berated” him for trying to split the bill with a woman.Do you agree?Should a man always pay the tab, or should the bill be split?Joining guest host Adrian Kennedy to discuss is Frances Kelleher, Life Coach and Dating Expert, as well as listeners.

There have been more than 3,000 no-shows for driving tests so far this year.Which means 3,000 working hours of RSA testers being wasted so far this year. At a time when there’s a backlog of people waiting.Some drivers are exploiting a legal loophole that enables them to renew their learner permit so long as they show they have applied for a test.So, should there be consequences?Joining guest host Adrian Kennedy to discuss is Editor of completecar.ie Shane O'Donoghue, Driving instructor and Director of the Professional Driving Instructors Association Dominic Brophy, as well as listeners.

Have you ever taken part in something you have no real interest in just for the sake of posting it online? Maybe you went to a concert for an artist you had no real interest in, or took up running just to make others jealous?Joining guest host Adrian Kennedy to discuss ‘performative socialising’ is Holly Carpenter, Irish model and social media star, Rosalyne Lipsett, Fashion Broadcaster with Ireland AM and Jason O’Callaghan, Psychologist.

Welcome to The Pod Squad!We review podcasts every week so you always have something new to listen to.Broadcaster Padraig Wilson McCarthy and host of the ‘For Tech's Sake’ podcast Elaine Burke join guest host Adrian Kennedy to review ‘Ireland Said Yes’!Image: Onic

As schools are coming to a close for summer holidays, summer camps are becoming a necessity for parents. Like a ticketed event, many working parents are in a race against time to book their child in from one camp to the next. What does this mean for these camps and are they being used as a babysitting service?Guest host Adrian Kenendy is joined by Child Development Expert and Founder of GOGNI Kids, Ollwyn Moran, as well as listeners to discuss.

Our summer memories series is back!We chat to some well known names and faces and reminisce over those long summer days.Sonya Lennon joins Andrea to reminisce!

Ireland ranks as the second most expensive country in the EU, just behind Denmark. The cost of living is driven primarily by steep prices in alcohol and tobacco where Ireland tops the EU charts followed closely by food, which is also significantly above the European average.But, what’s behind these high prices, and do they align with the average person’s income?Joining Andrea to discuss is Michelle Lawlor, owner of The Nude Wine Company, Claire Nash, owner of Nash 19 restaurant, Dylan Bradshaw, owner and Creative Director of Dylan Bradshaw Salon and Averil Sheehan from Care-A-Lot Childcare in Cork.

Do Irish women tend to put others in front of their own needs? Whether it be a friend, husband or child, what is the right balance so you’re not looking after others to the point of hurting your own needs?Joining Andrea to discuss is Dr Eva Orsmond Founder of the Natural Women’s Council, Jana Landen and Siobhan O’Neill-White from mams.ie.

From free repairs to therapy dogs, Breakfast Briefing Presenter Shane Beatty joins Andrea with plenty of stories from around the country this week!

Being called for jury duty means making significant adjustments to daily life, taking time off work, arranging childcare, covering travel and meal costs all to carry out an important civic responsibility. But, for many people, these disruptions come at a personal and financial cost.Sinn Féin’s Spokesperson on Justice, Home and Current Affairs, and Chair of the Oireachtas Justice Committee, Matt Carthy is calling for jurors’ expenses to be fully covered.He joins Andrea, along with listeners, to discuss.