Lunchtime Live

The Deposit Return Scheme has encouraged many people to recycle plastic bottles in order to reclaim their deposit. With return machines now available in grocery stores across the country, the initiative has made it easier for people to return bottles and receive their money back.

However, the scheme has also caused disruption across Dublin City, as some individuals have begun overturning public bins in search of discarded bottles to earn money.

While the scheme was introduced to increase recycling rates, it has instead highlighted an unintended consequence, creating new challenges for the city.  

Listeners joined Andrea to discuss the Re-turn scheme and whether it has resulted in unintended consequences

It's How I live well time! Where someone joins to discuss what they do to improve their life...

Professor Mary Ryan, Endocrinologist joined Andrea this week for For our How I Live Well, to talk about the thyroid- what does it do? And when can it go wrong?

How much do you pay to get your haircut?

A salon in Dublin has said that they have 1,000 people on the waiting list and their prices start at €96!

Andrea was joined by Katie Gallagher – Spin  Barry Whyte – Newstalk’s Chief Reporter, Aido from Neighbourhood Threat Barber Salon in Dublin, Angie Dromgoole, Director of Zeba Hairdressing and Cathal O’Sullivan to discuss whether getting a haircut has become to expensive.

Block Rockin' Beats DJ and  Today FM presenter Dec Pierce joined Andrea to discuss being recently diagnosed with Breast Cancer. Breast Cancer among men is quite rare, and many men aren't even aware that they can get it. Dec joined Andrea to share his story of diagnosis and treatment and to raise awareness among men to be aware of diseases and to seek medical help if they have concerns.

The Rewind 1986 with Henry McKean 12pm Bank Holiday Monday the 2nd of February on Newstalk. It was the year of Top Gun. Crocodile Dundee and The Mission. Maradona and the Hand of God. The Challenger Space Shuttle disaster. Chernobyl. And the biggest hit of the year, Chris De Burgh’s Lady in Red. Chris De Burgh talks about his friend Diana loving the song, how Pat Kenny influenced him to write it. And the song going to number 1 in 28 countries. It’s the 40th anniversary

For this week’s Ask Me Anything, Andrea was joined in the studio by her new colleague here at Newstalk, Claire Byrne.

Children’s book author, Julia Donaldson, is under fire for the language used in her book, The Highway Rat.  

In it she writes ‘The highway rat grew horribly fat from eating up everyone’s dinner.’ This has been highlighted online by body image speaker Alex Light who says she won’t be reading that line to her son, even though she loves the author.  

I want to know what you think. Should children’s authors be more mindful about the language they use? Should we be combing through our best-loved fairy tales to make sure they’re not insulting or insensitive? Or is that all a bit OTT? They are only stories after all.  

Andrea was joiend by Children's book author, Benji Bennett, Entertainment journalist, Sarina Bellissimo, Katie Makk Host of The Opinions Matter Podcast, Aideen Finnegan, Presenter of Early Edition from the Irish times and Rebecca Horan, parenting podcaster and mother of 2.

Move over Matt Damon, there’s a new Hollywood mega star in town....

It’s been reported that 62-year-old Brad Pitt is in Dalkey in South County Dublin for the next two weeks to film scenes for his upcoming A24 production, The Riders.  

We all remember the famous picture of Matt Damon there in 2020 with the Supervalu bag, will Brad be more of a Dunne's Store man?

Joining Andrea to fill us all in was Kendra Becker – Editor Goss.ie and Katie Gallagher from Spin.  

Blurb

Many people plan their year around the number of weddings they have to go to. Whether your flying abroad to celebrate someone’s special day or you are going somewhere local, weddings can often come with lot of expenses. The likes of hotels, hair and makeup and an outfit for the big day can all add up.  

With all of these costs, broadcaster, Roz Purcell has expressed that she is not a fan of wedding gifts from guests and feels that people going to a wedding is a gift in itself.  

Do you agree with Roz? Should a person’s presence at your wedding be enough, or should you give a wedding gift to commemorate a couple's big day? We want to hear your thoughts.  

To discuss, Andrea was joined by Freelance journalist Edaein O' Connell, Wedding planner, Lyndsey Moynagh aswell as well as listeners to give their opinion.

Roisin Tansey was just three years old when she fell from the back of an armchair and injured her neck, an injury which has left her paralysed from the neck down.

Last week, Roisin settled a High Court action against Children’s Health Ireland at Temple Street for €4million over her care after the accident.  Roisin and her Solicitor David O’Connor from Callan Tansey solicitors  joined Andrea to reflect on her journey to justice