Highlights From Lunchtime Live

Flight cancellations are continuing to affect customers across the country with more Aer Lingus flights out of Dublin Airport to European destinations canceled today. The airline says it’s due to illness and strike action.

With the first in a number of Joint Oireachtas Committees on Autism underway, this week calls around representation for neurodivergent people in Ireland are to the fore. A strong advocate in this area is filmmaker Caoilinn Handley. Caoilinn first sought a diagnosis for dyspraxia after she related to a character on TV, and this has led her to explore her autism in recent years. To showcase the importance of better pathways for autistic people in Irish society, Caoilinn most recently auditioned for the Rose of Tralee. To tell us about that, and her wider story, Caoilinn joined Andrea Gilligan on the show.

Does our understanding around grammar, syntax, or phrasing in general leave a lot to be desired? Sarah in Thurles got in touch with the show to bemoan the decline of society in this area, and she spoke to Andrea this afternoon

Well, have you ever been charged for water while out and about? Are venues allowed not to serve you tap water? Would it put you off a venue if they charge for tap water? And, what about bars and restaurants? Are they allowed to charge for water? Aaron got in touch with Andrea on the issue.

Newstalk has teamed up with Ronseal for Fix it Fortnight ,two weeks of top DIY tips from the best experts in the field. It’s the perfect time to freshen up the house. Andrea was joined by Arlene McIntyre from Ventura, to answer your interior design questions.  It’s all with thanks to Ronseal. For more see Ronseal.com.

Irish Rail announced that 41 new trains were in transit and heading for Ireland but disability activists say that they’ve been forgotten about as the trains are no more accessible than the current ones.Andrea was joined by listeners Sean,Veron and Jane Cregan from Irish Rail to discuss the accessibility of the Irish rail service.

Technology has made our lives so much more convenient but in the process of simplifying everyday tasks, Hilda Roche, National President of the ICA ,and Noel Cunningham, TV Personality and Author of Guide to Modern Irish Manners, joined Andrea to discuss if we lost our life skills.

Ewan McGregor has made a rare public comment about the breakdown of his first marriage and the impact the split has had on all of the relationships in his life. Andre was joined by life Coach Mark Fennell discuss the impact of divorce on those directly and indirectly involved.

Vaping has traditionally been seen as a “safer” alternative to smoking and is increasingly popular with teenagers. Andrea spoke to Dr Brendan O’Shea, GP in Co Kildare and listeners, to discuss if vaping could pose health risks to those who use them and encourage younger age groups to become nicotine dependent.

Paul Maher from University of Limerick has studied the science behind nostalgia, and he joined Andrea to explain why we love things that make us reminisce on past times or experiences.

Tenants who need to work from home are being refused by some landlords advertising rental properties. Andrea spoke to Amy Molly, Public Affairs Correspondent with Independent News & Media, who has been speaking to renters and landlords about some of the issues that arise with remote working in a rental property.

A new designed to prevent employers from using tips or gratuities to make up wages, is being brought in front of the Seanad this afternoon. Andrea was joined by Adrian Cummins, CEO Restaurant Association of Ireland, hospitality workers and listeners, to discuss how todays changes will redefine tipping culture.

Evie Nevin from Cork has a genetic condition called Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, a connective tissue disorder which can cause dislocations. She’s on disability allowance and explained to Andrea why she is calling for the back to school allowance to be increased.

Andrea was joined by listeners to discuss if our streets become too cluttered with street signs. Between signs giving directions, poles, bollards on cycle lanes, they discussed if our footpaths become more difficult to navigate.

Aisling Creegan’s start to life was dominated by alcohol and abuse as the daughter of alcoholic parents. She says that her mission as a child was to get to the next day, alive and safe. She joined Andrea to discuss her memoirs in a bid to help others that might be struggling.

It’s been a long few years for Westlife fans but the end is in sight and next week they are returning to stage for their The Wild Dreams Tour. Shane Filan joined Andrea to discuss how rehearsals are they going and what fans can expect from the tour.

Green Day, Fall Out Boy and Weezer played Marlay Park in South Dublin yesterday, for their Hella Mega Tour but it seems like music fans got a little more than they bargained for. Andrea spoke to listeners who were there who told her about the queues into the venue of up to 2km long and streams of fans left stranded looking for a way to get home.

Today is International Body Piercing Day, Andrea was joined by one of the country’s top piercers Carla Horrana,from Carla Horrana Piercing and Jewellery, to discuss if piercing is still as popular as ever and how she got into the business.

On Fridays show, listener Paddy was in touch to discuss how he was taken off a waiting list because he didn’t reply to a letter that he says he didn’t get. Andrea spoke to listener on todays show to discuss the general uncertainty around waiting lists and the length of time people are waiting to receive health care.

Aer Lingus has issued an apology to the customers affected after a number of flights were cancelled this weekend. Andrea was joined by listeners affected by flight cancellations and Eoghan Corry, Editor of Air and Travel Magazine, to advice on what to do if you have had a recent issue with a flight.