Lunchtime Live

What would you think about your child spending most of their school days learning outdoors?

Well, the Green Party want to introduce 'forest schools' to foster a respect for nature among young people in Ireland.

The party say the model has been successful in Scandinavia, and want to introduce a pilot scheme in which most of the school day every week is spent outdoors, “rain, wind or shine.”

What do you think about this idea?

Joining Andrea to discuss is Jennifer Dungan from Dalkey School Projects, Ciara Hinksman, Founding Chair of the Irish Forest School Association and more.

There was a difficult exchange between Taoiseach Simon Harris and disability worker Charlotte Fallon over the weekend during canvassing.

In the video, you can hear Charlotte accuse the Government of ignoring the disability sector. However Simon Harris denied that, before walking away from her.

Andrea is joined by carers to discuss and give their reactions.

This is Lunchtime Live’s Big Batch. Every Monday we’ll be learning new easy to cook batch recipes to keep you eating well. No more staring into an open fridge looking for inspiration!

This week, Andrea is joined by Siobhan Berry, from @mummycooks on Instagram, to look at how you can use a slow cooker to make amazing meals to stick in the freezer! And they’re baby friendly too!

Follow the hashtag #LLBigBatch for all our recipes.

Retailers around the country are being urged to boycott Conor McGregor’s stout and whiskey brands.

This comes after he was found liable in a civil court for the sexual assault of Nikita Hand.

Is it a good idea?

Joining Andrea to discuss is Clíona Saidléar, Rape Crisis Network Ireland Executive Director, Aimmée Millar, Senior Public Affairs Advisor with Carr Communications, Jess Kelly, Newstalk’s Tech Correspondent and Harper Cleaves from ROSA - the Socialist Feminist Movement.

Every Friday, as part of our ‘Ask Me Anything’ series, we put your questions to people from interesting backgrounds or working in different careers.

This week, Andrea was joined by Pat Falvey, explorer, adventurer and mountaineer to answer any of your questions, including what it was like to climb Mount Everest!

We’re a week out from visiting our local polling station – often a school – and today the National Parents Council have called for alternative facilities to be used to stop needless disruption to working parents.

What are your thoughts, should local GAA clubs or parish halls be used more? Does running an election on a weekend morning facilitate greater turnout and avoid school closure?

Andrea is joined by listeners to discuss.

A study by Showcase Cinemas has voted Home Alone as the best Christmas film – but what elements make a good Christmas film?

Joining Andrea to discuss and share their favourites is Rory Cashin, Entertainment Journalist, Cara O'Doherty, Film Reviewer and Bella Finn from Newstalk’s Newsroom.

Image: 20th Century Fox

From a Grammy winner starting out working in Galway to poems on the menu in Sligo, Breakfast Briefing Presenter Shane Beatty joins Andrea with plenty of stories from around the country this week!

Noel Gallagher, 33, from Dadreen, Louisburgh, Co Mayo, was sentenced to four years in prison earlier this month.

Sometime between 2006 and 2007 when Noel was 15 years old, he raped his cousin Dylan Gallagher, who was 9 years old at the time.

Mr Justice David Keane praised Dylan Gallagher's strength, resilience, dignity and perseverance.

Dylan joins Andrea to discuss.

If this podcast affected you in any way, there are places that can help:

Dublin Rape Crisis Centre - www.drcc.ie

mensaid.ie or National Confidential Helpline – 01 554 3811

Whether you’re an early bird or hanging on closer to December, you’ve probably started to think about putting the Christmas decorations up. From storage to making your room more classy and less tacky – the home squad are here to help!

Róisín Lafferty, Founder and Creative Director of Róisín Lafferty and Emma Delaney, Senior Interior Designer from April & the Bear join Andrea to discuss.