Lunchtime Live

For this week’s Ask the Expert, Andrea is joined by Dr Ellen McSweeny with Irish Blood Transfusion Service to answer any of your blood donation questions!

Popstar Taylor Swift has applied to trademark her voice and her image in a bid to protect herself against AI generated content… Mark Kelly, Founder of AI Ireland joins Andrea to discuss.

Ireland’s building energy rating, or BER system, is to be changed from next month - with the current 15 point scale set to be replaced by a simpler system. Joe Durkan, Head of Technical National Retrofit at SEAI joins Andrea to explain it all.

A sharp rise in road accidents across Ireland has prompted frontline hospital doctors to call for stronger measures to prevent further collisions and loss of life. Last year, road traffic incidents claimed 190 lives, the highest toll in more than a decade, intensifying concerns among medical professionals… Doctors have also highlighted the stark contrast in enforcement measures, noting that Ireland operates only around a dozen fixed speed cameras, compared with 1,164 in Finland. So, should we incorporate more speed cameras across the country to prevent further road deaths and fatalities? Joining Andrea to discuss is former Garda Sergeant, Christy Galligan, Editor with Completecar.ie, Shane O’Donoghue and listeners.

Do you agree with participation medals, not just for children but for adults? One of our listeners got in touch as they feel that participation medals for the likes of 5k and 10k races are a waste of money and add to landfill. Do you agree with this, or do you think medals are a symbol of achievement? Joining Andrea to discuss is Freelance Broadcaster Meghann Scully, Oisin Mulligan from Mulligainz Fitness and Pat Kane, Sustainability Advocate and Chief Sustainability Officer at Antaris.

Katie Gallagher, Spin News Anchor, has her finger on the pulse for what’s happening and she joins Andrea with the things you don’t want to miss this week! Image: Netflix

Five years after the war in Ukraine broke out, the Government has announced that it will withdraw supports for tourist and commercial accommodation that are housing up to 16,000 Ukrainians... There will also be a further reduction to accommodation supports due later in the year as part of a wind down in the €600 Accommodation Recognition Payment Scheme. So, how will things change for Ukrainian people living in Ireland? Joining Andrea to discuss is Anatoly from Ukrainian Action in Ireland, Hotelier Lorraine Sweeney and more.

Dr Nina Byrnes, GP at Generation Health Medical Clinic joined guest host Anna Daly to tackle your medical queries…

Féirla is a new GAA sportswear brand designed specifically for female players. Féirla Founder Margaret Walsh joins Anna Daly to discuss!

Eimear Byrne, a 30-year-old teacher from Wicklow, has been fighting for her health since childhood. Through extraordinary strength and determination, she has already overcome unimaginable challenges, including surviving a ruptured aneurysm and a severe stroke… Now, Eimear is facing her greatest battle yet: Doctors have discovered three more aneurysms, and she urgently needs a third open-heart surgery to save her life. This critical procedure is not available to her here, meaning Eimear must travel to the United States for treatment. The cost of this life-saving surgery is €600,000, an overwhelming amount for any individual or family to bear. Anna Daly is joined by Eimear and her sister Niamh to discuss.

What age is ‘old’? With people living longer, many adults will be feeling younger for longer, but there is nothing like Gen Z to humble you… According to a survey in the UK, young people now consider 53 to be old. So, do you agree? Joining guest host Anna Daly to discuss is Broadcaster, Writer and Comedy Storyteller Barbara Scully and Today FM’s Cathal O’Sullivan.

Welcome to The Pod Squad! We review podcasts every week so you always have something new to listen to. Newstalk’s Ellen Butler and Shannon Kenny from Today FM joined guest host Anna Daly to review ‘I’m Grand Mam’! Image: Acast

Communions are a lovely occasion, but they can be costly. Between the food, the drink and the outfit: has the day become more about money than religion? Joining guest host Anna Daly to discuss is Michael Houghton, Features Writer with the Irish Independent, Lisa Brady,Features Editor with the Irish Daily Mail and listeners.

For this week’s Ask Me Anything, Professor Janice Walsh, Consultant Oncologist joins Andrea to answer any of your questions!

A county Down runner is being praised for his sportsmanship after he stopped and helped a struggling competitor across the line at the Boston Marathon. Aaron Beggs joins Andrea to discuss what happened. Image: Reuters

With great weather here today, and hopefully for the next week, how are you planning to use the sunshine? Joining Andrea to discuss how they’re spending the day is Irish Examiner Columnist, Caitríona Redmond, Clinical Psychologist and author Malie Coyne, Tony Smith, known as tonytravels10 on social media and more.

Can you remember a friendship break-up? How did it affect you? Whether it was a slow drift apart or something more serious like a betrayal, the breakdown of a friendship after many years can be especially painful... So, how do you best navigate them? Joining Andrea to discuss is Psychologist Niamh Delmar and Writer and Podcaster Esther O'Moore Donohoe.

Breakfast Briefing Presenter Shane Beatty joined Andrea with a roundup of some of the stories from across the country this week.

Do you feel safe as a cyclist on our roads? 56% of people surveyed by Cycling Ireland believe that roads are becoming more dangerous year‑on‑year… Joining Andrea to discuss is Kevin Jennings from the Irish Cycling Campaign, as well as listeners.

If you’re thinking about renovating your home, whether it’s a small refresh or a big overhaul, it can feel overwhelming before you even lift a hammer. Today we’re talking about how to start a home renovation properly so you don’t waste money or make costly mistakes. Quantity Surveyor Patricia Power joined us ahead of the PTSB Ideal Home Squad along with Sarah Doyle, Interior Stylist & Designer from Retwigged.