Lunchtime Live

Primary schools have warned parents that a growing trend towards taking pupils out of school for holidays is disrupting children’s education and may trigger notifications to social services.

New figures compiled by Tusla show the estimated number of such extended absences due to holidays jumped from 60,000-65,000 in 2019 to 350,000 in 2021.

What do you make of parents taking children out during term for a holiday? Andrea was joined by listeners to discuss...

Did you feel comfortable taking maternity leave? Minister for Justice Helen McEntee has said that she is sure 'some people didn't approve' of her taking maternity leave for a second time.

Andrea was joined on Lunchtime Live by Clontarf Councillor Catherine Stocker, Dr Niamh Flanagan, Assistant Professor of Social Policy in the Department if Applied Social Studies, Maynooth University, Siobhan O’Neill White founder of Mams.ie and Labour Party South Dublin County Councillor Joanna Tuffy...

The Leaving Cert is in full swing but should teachers be able to achieve a H1, the highest grade, in the subject that they teach?

Andrea was joined by Jonathan Walker, Principal of Ringsend College, Derval, a secondary school and Graham to discuss...

Fine Gael TD Neale Richmond has warned the public to be vigilant after a group of climate change activists deflated car tyres in the Churchtown area of Dublin

Dozens of cars were found with all four tyres flat yesterday morning with an accompanying note, that explained:

‘We have deflated one or more of your tyres...We did this because driving around urban areas in your massive vehicle has huge consequences for others.'

Andrea was joined on Lunchtime Live by listeners to discuss...

Image: Twitter via @nealerichmond

Aslan front man and Irish music ledgend, Christy Dignam, passed away yesterday evening aged 63.

His death is a massive loss to the country. I am joined now on the line by fans of Christy’s...

Harry Styles lit up Slane Castle over the weekend, but since the big night, Lunchtime Live has received a number of emails from listeners talking about their experience of buying ‘platinum tickets’.

Andrea was joined by Sharon and presenter of The Home Show on Newstalk, Sinead Ryan to discuss...

Five independent Senators say they want to allow the State to award citizens in recognition of exceptional achievement.

The proposed system, known as Gradam an Uachtaráin, would comprise of a medal to be worn on special occasions, a lapel button and an entitlement to use the letters ‘GU’ after their name – similar to being ‘knighted in the UK’. The idea is being debated in the Seanad today.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said that the Government would be “reluctant” to introduce it here.

Andrea was joined by Senator Gerard Craughwell and listeners to discuss...

A new Oireachtas committee, formed to consider the issue of assisted dying, has held it's first public meeting this morning.

Andrea was joined on Lunchtime Live by Denise, Michael, Noel and others to discuss...

Summer is here and everyone is heading on holidays. But would you go away just for one day and would it be worth the price?

Andrea was joined on Lunchtime Live by travel writer Joan Scales, Matthew, Michaela and Katie to discuss...

Noel Anderson, Managing Director at The Bridge 1859 in Ballsbridge joined Andrea GiIlligan on Lunchtime Live after Hollywood Legend Morgan Freeman paid a visit to the pub over the weekend...

Image: @NoelAnderson_ on Twitter