Lunchtime Live

Have you or someone you know been affected by long ambulance wait times?

HSE figures show average ambulance response times deteriorated to 21 minutes and 43 seconds in 2023.

What needs to be done to improve ambulance services, support frontline paramedics and prevent avoidable deaths?

Joining guest host Clare McKenna to discuss is Vice Chairman with Blessington AFC, Alan Moore, Owner of Lifeline Ambulance, David Hall, Bernard Mulvany from Access for All Ireland and listeners.

Model, Author and Advocate Monica Walsh has used the tragic death of her aunt in the 90s, at the hand of her husband, to try and lift the silence surrounding domestic abuse…

Monica joins Andrea to discuss.

Lunchtime Live's Reasons to be Happy looks at some of the news stories that you might have missed that will leave you feeling more optimistic.

Ciara Treacy from the Newstalk Digital Team joined Andrea in the studio to put a smile on your faces!

The mandatory retirement age for inter-county GAA referees is 50 years old.

Once an official on the National Referees Panel reaches this age, they must step down from officiating at the inter-county level, though many continue to referee local club games.

But, should we extend the referee retirement age?

Joining Andrea to discuss is Rory Hickey, former Intercounty GAA Referee and Referee Administrator of Clare GAA, Paddy Osbourne, former Coach and Referee, David Kennedy, Tipperary center half back in the All-Ireland final in 2001 and Tim Barry, Secretary of Rathdowney Errill GAA.

For this week’s Making Babies, Andrea is joined by International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant, Maria O’Sullivan, to discuss the best ways to go about breastfeeding and bottle-feeding!

Caoilfhinn Ní Choiligh, alopecia advocate and newly-crowned Rose of Tralee joins Andrea to discuss her win!

Image: @roseoftraleefestival on Instagram

Many people have recently voiced concerns about safety on our roads. The Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) has described reckless driving on motorways as a “huge concern” for hauliers across Ireland.

With road deaths continuing to occur on Irish roads, are people becoming increasingly afraid to get behind the wheel? And what more needs to be done to ensure people feel safe when travelling on our roads?

Joining Andrea to discuss is President of the Irish Road Haulage Association, Ger Hyland, Haulier Cyril McGuinness, Motoring Editor with the Sunday Independent, Ger Herbert and more.

For this week’s Ask the Expert, Andrea is joined by Ray Cooke from Ray Cooke Auctioneers to answer any of your property questions!

Are you the kind of person that leaves hundreds - if not thousands - of emails unread?

How do you clear the inbox and stay on top of things?

Joining Andrea to discuss is Stylist Laura Mullet and Professor of Psychiatry at Trinity College Dublin, Brendan Kelly.

Have you ever experienced post natal depression? How did you deal with it, and what advice would you give to others?

Madge Fogarty, Chairperson of Post Natal Depression Ireland, Aolish Gormley, Maternal Mental Health Advocate and Founder of the Year of Care campaign and more join Andrea to discuss.

For immediate postnatal support in Ireland, call Parentline at 01 873 3599 for free, confidential advice for new parents.

Samaritans 24/7 support number: 116 123