Highlights From Lunchtime Live

Donald Trump has become the first ever former US President to face criminal charges in court He has been indicted by a grand jury in New York over an alleged hush money payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels. Republicans have condemned the move while Democrats say that no one is above the law. Donald Trump is at his home in Florida at the moment and Florida governor Ron DeSantis said his state would not assist in any request by authorities in New York to extradite the former president. How does this all reflect on the American political system? Andrea was joined by listeners to discuss…

Youghal Greyhound racing track looks set to close it’s door, with animal rights groups claiming it’s more evidence of the decline in public support for the sport. What does the future hold for Greyhound racing in Ireland? Do you support it? Andrea was joined by Damien Matthews is the Chairman of the Irish Greyhound Owners & Breeders Federation, Nuala Donlon from Greyhound Action Ireland and other listeners to discuss...

Ticket information for Katie Taylor's fight with Chantelle Cameron at the 3Arena on the 20th of May have been released. They go on sale next week but you could be paying up to €1,500 for a ticket. Ticket prices come in seven bands, but there are no cheap seats at this fight – the least expensive tickets available will set you back €80. Are promoters asking too much? Is boxing, a traditionally working class sport – pricing the average person out of fights? Andrea was joined by listeners to discuss…

Should we forget about our regional airports and put the money in to Dublin instead? Junior Minister with responsibility for aviation, Jack Chambers announced funding allocations worth €17 million for capital projects in our regional airports – but are they worth the money? Andrea Gilligan was joined by Paul, Derek and Walter to discuss...

It’s been announced that every Deis Primary school pupil will get a free hot school meal every day from September. For some, this may be the only hot meal they get a day. The scheme will be brought in for all schools by 2030. Is this a good idea? Should all Deis kids get a free school meal? Or is there a better way to target this so there’s no waste? Andrea was joined by parents, teachers and those working in the school meals business to discuss...

Currently in Ireland, there are many children that are being failed by the services for autism, with endless waiting lists. Andrea was joined by mothers Joanne, Pamela and Rosanna to discuss...

Mary Allen is 86 years old, she’s been living in rented accommodation in Listowel for the past 14 years. In October, she was served notice of eviction from her landlord. Now, with the eviction ban lifting this week – she doesn’t know where she’s going to go. Mary’s son Michael joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live to discuss. Mary in Dublin, who's hudband is an accidental landlord also joined the conversation...

Is competition good for children? Or should we be encouraging them to just play for fun? Irish Examiner columnist Jennifer Horgan wrote a column warning that playing to win is the wrong philosophy and asked whether the GAA had become too competitive for younger children. Andrea Gilligan was joined by listeners, parents and coaches to discuss…

An interesting tweet posted by Senator Lynn Ruane reads: "Woke is really not insult you all think it is. I’d rather be woke than a racist. I’d rather be woke than a homophobe, I’d rather be woke than transphobe, I’d rather be woke than classist. I’d rather be woke. Woke is an affirmation not an insult. Big hugs all, woke or not." Do people consider ‘woke’ an insult? Has it become a dirty word? Andrea was joined by listeners to discuss…

Dave, a listener, got in touch with Lunchtime Live this week because of issues he’s having around late night noise on his road due to overnight roadworks. Dave and other residents in the area joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live to discuss...

People who fail to control their dogs will face fines up to €5,000 under plans due to go before Cabinet today. Other dog regulation plans include: Having a central database for dog breeders, recruiting 40 extra dog wardens across the country and also creating a central database for dog microchips The move comes after nine-year-old Alejandro Miszan was left with life-altering injuries following a dog attack last November. Andrea Gilligan was joined by listeners to discuss…

Should sports stars be held up as role models? In an interview on Off the Ball last night, Olympic gold medalist Kellie Harrington was questioned about a tweet she posted last October, she refused to answer the question when pressed on it. Andrea Gilligan was joined on Lunchtime Live by Off The Ball's Shane Hannon, Niamh Buffini, an ex Olympic taekwondo coach, Trevor Twamley, co founder of Sport Endorse and many more to discuss...

At the moment in Ireland, around 70 per cent of secondary school students go into Transition Year after their Junior Cert. There has been plenty of talk of the ups and downs of making it compulsory. But what kind of an undertaking would that be for parents? Parents are apparently paying anything in the region of 100 to 900 in registration fees upon entry. This often doesn’t include trips aboard and extra courses that you have to pay for. Andrea was joined by Tracey, Elaine and David to discuss…

Should GAA clubs and counties be allowed to promote charities and causes on their jerseys? There’s been a surprised reaction from many at the move by the GAA to ban the promotion of charities and causes on jerseys in the future. Andrea was joined by Liam Brazzil from Kilrossanty GAA in Waterford, Jimmy Norman from Aoibheann’s Pink Tie, Fergus Finlay, Former CEO of Barnardos and many more to discuss…

A family of eight have been evicted from their Donegal home without any notice or warning. The landlord showed up at their home and changed the locks while the other men packed up their belongings, including baby food and toys, into bin bands and put them outside in the rain. Father of six, Gabriel joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live alongside Sligo-based Fine Gael councillor Sinead Maguire who is helping the family… Image: Supplied

Is it time to get rid of cars in cities? Do issues like noise pollution, air pollution, congestion, lack of green spaces mean that having cars in cities is negatively impacting us all? Una Mullally has a piece in today’s Irish Times that says: ‘Cars have to go. People can fight this all they want, but it has to happen’ What do you think? Andrea was joined by listeners and business owners to discuss…

World Athletics have decided that transgender women will not be allowed to compete in female sports categories. Trans women will be banned if they’ve gone through male puberty. Previously transgender females could compete if they had gone through a period of testosterone suppression. Andrea Gilligan was joined by Saoirse Macken, co-founder of Trans Plus Pride, weightlifter Rehana Maniar, Joanna Harper is a Visiting Fellow for Transgender Athletic perfomance at Loughborough University and transgender athlete and others to discuss..

With the COVID 19 pandemic came the world of work from home. For many this was a huge positive but has it caused the death after-work drinks and liquid lunches? Is drinking culture fading from our work lives? And, is the social side of work going with it? Andrea was joined by listeners to discuss…

Should religion education be removed from schools? Journalist and teacher, Jennifer Horgan has a piece in today’s Irish Examiner asking ‘Are the 'bouncy castle Catholics' hurting our school system?’ The piece details the realities of Catholic ethos schools in Ireland and how it can affect students and teachers who don’t practice the Catholic faith. Should teachers be allowed to opt out of religious teaching? Or should schools be made completely secular? Andrea was joined by journalist and teacher, Jennifer Horgan and listeners Graham, David and more to discuss…

Ireland has gone dog mad in recent years, with ever more restaurants, pubs and even offices catering to furry plus ones. And Irish entrepreneurs who've sniffed out the area are also seeing paws-itive results. Newstalk's Sarah Madden reports with thanks to Square - helping businesses run and grow. See square.com for more.