Lunchtime Live

GP shortages in the commuter belt and rural areas are leaving people waiting up to two weeks to see their doctor.
GP numbers have failed to keep up with the growing population, and are falling far behind the World Health Organisations recommendation of 100 GPs for every 100,000 people.
Have you experienced this problem? Are you facing long wait times to see your GP?
Joining Andrea to discuss is Dr. Diarmuid Quinlan, Medical Director at the Irish College of GPs, as well as listeners.

Every Wednesday afternoon, we’ll be talking Making Babies.
Andrea will be joined by Professor Shane Higgins, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, to cover every area of trying to have a baby. From the very start of knowing how to prepare, right up to pregnancy – and all the bumps in the road in between.
This week, Shane joins Andrea to discuss what to expect if you need an emergency c-section.

Crumlin GAA's Pearse Park pitch had just been brought back into use in time for the start of the busy Championship season after months of repairs. Sadly, the new pitch has since been scorched and covered in glass and other debris on Monday night after a car rammed down the gates of the park, before being set on fire.
While many of these players have been training hard for the championship season and with pitches already in short supply, what does this mean for the players and how are the people in the area feeling?
Joining Andrea to discuss is Ger Gavigan from Crumlin GAA Club.

It has been reported that acclaimed Irish singer songwriter and guitarist Glen Hansard has passed away…
Known for being the frontman of The Frames, Outspan Foster in ‘The Commitments’ and winning the Academy Award for Best Original Song at the 80th Academy Awards in 2008 for ‘Falling Slowly’ from the musical ‘Once’, which he co-wrote.
Andrea is joined by Singer-Songwriter Kiera Dignam, Danny McElhinney from the Irish Mail on Sunday, Musician Ryan O’Shaughnessy and more to look back on his life and legacy.

For this week’s Ask the Expert, Andrea is joined by Ellen McSweeny with Irish Blood Transfusion Service to answer all of your questions about blood donation.