Highlights From Lunchtime Live

Should the drinking age in Ireland be lowered to 16 to try combat teenagers drinking in local parks? Speaking on the Breakfast show today- Cork Cllr Shane O'Callaghan said that it should be considered. Andrea spoke to listeners who got in touch on the issue.

Every week, we give you the chance to get access to an expert- this week, we put your motoring questions to Motoring Journalist Geraldine Herbert.

Ireland’s health service is a topic we covered in depth on Tuesday’s programme, with junior doctors and nursing staff among those affected by stretched infrastructure in this country. It has of course had a knock-on effect on patients, including Breda O’Gorman, whose wait for potentially life-saving appointment in Cork University Hospital (CUH) has gone on over a year, her husband joined Andrea to issue an urgent plea on her behalf.

Fiann O'Nuallain The Holistic Gardener joined Andrea to discuss some holistic remedies to protect yourself against summer ailments.

Customer based reviews on sites like Trip Advisor , have been criticized by some for being potentially harmful to local businesses. Andrea was joined by chefs, restaurateurs and food writers to debate if these kinds of review systems, leaves restaurants open to abuse that could have serious consequences for businesses.

Many people have a book in them but don't know how to go about getting it published. Author Frances Flannery from Leopold Bloom Press joined Andrea to offer advice on getting your writing career up and running.

Last week, we spoke about the increase in numbers of young people looking for help dealing with cocaine addiction. Andrea spoke to Sally who told her about her son’s struggles with addiction and living with an addict. Today Jackie McKenna, Family support specialist Family Addiction Support Network, joined Andrea to discuss about the complexities of sharing a home with an addict.

Previously on the show Andrea spoke to listeners who were having problems retrieving lost luggage after travelling through Dublin Airport. On todays Lunchtime Live she followed up with them to see if they had managed to locate their lost bags.

Jurassic Park actor Jeff Goldblum recently spoke about how goal setting and positive reinforcement transformed his life and helped him achieve Hollywood stardom. Life Coach and Motivational Speaker, Mark Fennell, joined Andrea to discuss how to get started on manifesting the life of your dreams.

President’s Michael D Higgins comments on Ireland’s housing crisis continue to make waves across the social and political spectrum. The President said housing in the country is a "great, great failure" at the opening of a supported residence facility for young homeless adults outside Naas in County Kildare. Andrea was joined by listeners who had mixed reactions to his comments, some feeling they overstepped his presidential position.

Adrian Weckler, Tech editor with the Irish & Sunday Independent, joined Andrea to explain how he was surprised to see A tech conference’s opening night dinner in Dublin is requesting ‘no jeans or sneakers’. They were also joined by Maria Macklin, Image Consultant with House of Colour, to discuss how dress codes have changed since covid and if a more casual approach to work dress has been adopted.

An expert has advised couples to forego sleeping in the same bed if they want to get a proper night’s sleep, and warned of the damaging effect that sharing a bed can have on long term health. Sleep Expert Tom Coleman joined Adrian to discuss if sleeping in separate beds really is the secrete to a happy relationship.

The All-Ireland Football Quarter-Finals are due to be played in Croke Park the weekend after next. This will involve long journeys from counties like Clare, Mayo Galway, Cork and Kerry. With petrol and diesel prices soaring ,GAA president and MEP Seán Kelly joined Adrian and fans , to discuss if these games should be moved out of Croke Park to smaller provincial grounds.

The Irish health service has come under fire with record numbers of junior doctors opting to leave the country in search of better working conditions. Adrian was joined by health care workers and listeners to discuss what can be done to address working conditions, hospital closures and increasingly long waiting lists.

A new farming survey has found that 87pc of farm owners in Ireland are male. This has indicated an unbalanced approach to inheritance within the agricultural sector. Catherine Gallagher, National President of the Irish Shows Association, joined Adrian and full time farmer Louise Crowley, to discuss what can be done to change attitudes towards gender within farming communities.

The American singer Lizzo has come in for sharp criticism for using an ableist slur. In her new song ‘Grrls’ (pron: girls) she uses the "s" word. While the word is used colloquially in the US to mean "freakout" many disability advocates say the derogatory use of this language shows how much still needs to be done. Bernard Mulvany from Access for All joined Andrea to discuss why lyrics such as these can cause great offense.

25 years since he first launched into superstardom as a solo artist, Robbie Williams has this morning announced a tour to mark the occasion. Andrea was joined by Danny McElhinney Music journalist with the Irish Mail on Sunday to take a look back at some of his biggest career highlights.

A shortage of taxis is causing havoc for those trying to get home from town after dark. Andrea was joined by listeners, night time economy workers and a taxi driver, to discuss the challenges people are facing trying to travel safely late at night.

Every Friday, we search for the definitive answer to some of the most burning questions in The Big Debate. Today, you gave us an answer to the question - ‘Are staycations better than foreign holidays?’

All this week on Lunchtime Live we have been talking about how treatment for cocaine use among young people in Ireland has increased by 171% between 2011 and 2019. The report from the health research board found that Ireland now has the second-highest proportion in Europe of 15- to 24-year-olds who have used cocaine. Adrian Kennedy spoke to listeners who were in touch with the show to discuss their experiences and observations of Ireland's drug culture.