Lunchtime Live

Welcome to The Pod Squad!We review podcasts every week so you always have something new to listen to.Host of ‘What’s Trending in F1?’ podcast Elaine Power Newstalk’s Tom Douglas join Andrea Gilligan to review ‘Reclaiming with Monica Lewinsky’!Image: Wondery

Is your street overrun by parking problems?Local communities in North Cork are battling with the rising number of cars as adult children stay living with their parents, and now North Cork Councillors are looking at whether green areas in housing estates should be taken away completely and replaced with parking lots…Joining Andrea to discuss this is Fianna Fáil Councillor Patrick Donovan, Environmental Journalist and author John Gibbons, Architect Róisín Murphy and more.

For this week’s Ask Me Anything, Wedding Officiate Ruth Scott joins Andrea to answer any of your questions!

Is the term working mothers offensive?The BBC posted a video during the week where their broadcasters were having a conversation about the term working mothers and they labelled it a “societal gaslighting issue”.Joining Andrea to discuss this is Terry Prone, Chair of the Communication Clinic, Katie Makk from the Opinions Matter podcast, Aideen Finnegan, Presenter of Early Edition from the Irish Times and Mary McCarthy, Columnist with the Irish Independent…

Ireland are due to face Israel in the UEFA Nations League in September. While many people are taking it at face value as a sporting event, others feel that this game should not go ahead, and that the Irish team should boycott this match in support of Palestine.On the back of this, many people will stage a protest today for the FAI to pull out of this game.We want to know, what do our listeners think? Should we go ahead with this match?Joining Andrea to discuss is Freelance Sports Journalist, Daniel Hussey, as well as listeners.

If you’re already thinking about the summer holiday, would swapping homes with a stranger be the right way to save a bit of money?Joining Andrea to discuss is Catriona Lysaght, Cork Speech and Language Therapist and home swapper, Marie Murphy, Irish representative for Homelink International and Travel Agent Ciara Mooney.

Breakfast Briefing Presenter Shane Beatty joined Andrea with plenty of stories from around the country this week!

Andrea spoke to ‘Anna’ last week about caring for her daughter and how she felt she had no other option but to bring her daughter to A&E and leave her there.Anna joins again to discuss an apology she received from the HSE…

It may not look like it, but Spring is approaching. So, what is the best way to tidy up your home in preparation for it?This week, the Home Squad are here to discuss decluttering!Joining Andrea to discuss is Jenny Sheehan, Irish Examiner Columnist and former winner of ‘Home of the Year’ (@workerscottage on Instagram) and Interior Stylist Sarah Doyle.

Lock up your cars – there’s rats looking for shelter!In a nationwide Rentokil survey of frontline pest control technicians, 84% reported finding rats in a vehicle, and 57% had encountered mice…Dr Colm Moore from Rentokil and more join Andrea to discuss.

How hard is it today to get a school place for your child? Listener Emma wrote in sharing her frustrations, and joins Andrea along with other listeners, to discuss…

We’ve decided to do a deep dive on some of our favourite albums to explore the stories behind them.What did the artists really think of each other? Where did the inspirations from the songs come from?Joining Andrea to discuss is Head Tour Guide at the Irish Rock ‘N’ Roll Museum Experience, Alan Buckley, who’s going to talk through CMAT’s ‘Crazymad, for Me’!

The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) has proposed allowing drivers to use their own cars for taxi services without needing a special licence, with regulation focused on safety and service standards.This would enable companies like Uber to operate as they do internationally, increasing competition in the taxi market. While consumers could benefit, the move may face backlash from existing taxi drivers.Would you support lifting Uber restrictions?Joining Andrea to discuss is Lar Kelly, Director of Hola Taxis, Ciara Mooney, Managing Director of Freedom Travel & Solo Travel and listeners.

Independent Ireland leader Michael Collins has said that you would “need a very strong stomach” to eat some of the hot school meals currently being provided in schools.For many children, these meals are not just an option - they are a vital source of daily nutrition and, in some cases, their main meal of the day.This raises an important question: are these meals truly fit for purpose, or should they be more nutrient-dense to properly support children’s health, growth and learning?Joining Andrea to discuss is Principal of Mother of Divine Grace National School in Finglas, Eoin Dolan, as well as listeners.

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.98FM’s Cathal O’Sullivan joined Andrea in the studio to put a smile on your faces…

Irishman Seamus Culleton was issued a temporary order postponing his deportation  from the US yesterday…He was moved to a detention facility after being arrested by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers in September.He spoke out last week - prompting much discussion about his detention here at home. Today, one of his twin daughters, Heather Morrisey, joins Andrea to discuss…Image: @carrasnyc on Instagram

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 answer any of your questions, and discuss the common barriers couples may face when trying to conceive.

Hopefully you’ll be singing from the same hymn sheet as Andrea’s guest…Musician Paul Luby is well known for his covers of ‘mass bangers’ and he joins to discuss what they are, and why they have become so popular.

A video has been posted online, showing a group of teenage boys riding scramblers on Cork’s busiest road at near-peak traffic.The youths were seen speeding and doing wheelies along the N40 near Douglas, only two weeks after the government announced a crackdown on scramblers following the death of Grace Lynch in Finglas…So, what should be done about this behaviour?Joining Andrea to discuss is Joe O’Shea, Editor of Cork Beo, Cian Ginty, Editor of Irish Cycle, as well as listeners.

Rex Ryan’s ‘The Monk’, which is about the life of Gerry ‘The Monk’ Hutch, opened last night at the Ambassador Theatre in Dublin. Andrea was in attendance, as well as Gerry Hutch, who also performed in the play.The question surrounding this play is: does it glamourise crime? Andrea was able to ask this exact question to those who watched it…

Met Éireann has issued a yellow weather warning for multiple counties this week. So, how bad should we expect the weather this week, and how are people recovering after Storm Chandra?Andrea is joined by Cathal Nolan, Founder of Ireland’s Weather Channel, as well as listeners, to discuss.

It's How I live well time! Where someone joins to discuss what they do to improve their life...This week Andrea is joined by Nutritionist Aileen Cox Blundell (@babyledfeeding on Instagram) to discuss how you can make this Pancake Tuesday a bit more healthy with a few smart ingredient swaps!

People living in council housing may be required to pay higher rent contributions if their adult children are working and earning an income.With the rising cost of living and the ongoing housing crisis making it increasingly difficult for adults to move out, is the Government’s failure to address housing affordability now placing an unfair financial burden on families who are already struggling?Andrea is joined by listeners to discuss…

Dr Niall Breen from the Portmarnock GP Clinic joined Andrea Gilligan to tackle your medical queries.

For the past few weeks, we’ve heard heartbreaking stories from listeners about their experiences of being carers for their disabled adult children – and their worries about what’ll happen to them when they die…So, where do we go from here?Joining Andrea to discuss is Derval McDonagh, CEO of Inclusion Ireland.

The pledge taken by children at confirmation has been updated to include abstinence from smoking and vaping, alongside drinking and using illicit drugs.The change follows a sharp increase in young people smoking and vaping, which the church described as a “thoughtful and prayerful response to the lived realities of young people today.”Andrea is joined by listeners to discuss.

DNA tests have become very popular, whether to find long lost relatives, to trace your ethnicity, or maybe to find out some answers about your health – but sometimes the results can bring up more questions than answers...That was certainly the case for Summer McKesson, who joins Andrea to discuss…

Welcome to The Pod Squad!We review podcasts every week so you always have something new to listen to.Newstalk’s Rory Galvin and Host of the ‘For Tech’s Sake’ podcast Elaine Burke join Andrea Gilligan to review ‘Ill-advised by Bill Nighy’!Image: EYEPOD Studios

More than 1,000 people were arrested for driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol at the end of 2025. Even more concerning, one individual was arrested 15 times within a three-year period in 2021 - a striking example of repeat offending that calls into question the effectiveness of current enforcement measures and deterrents on Irish roads.What does this mean for the safety of drivers, cyclists and pedestrians on Irish roads? Do we need more Garda presence to ensure safety on Irish roads?Joining Andrea to discuss is Editor with Completecar.ie, Shane O’Donoghue, as well as listeners.

For this week’s Ask Me Anything, Andrea was joined by the manager at Emerald Park Theme park Ross Ennis !

With tomorrow being Valentines day, there will be many who may feel pressure to pop the question tomorrow. But should you? Joining Andrea to discuss  was Counselling psychologist Niamh Delmar and  Nick Appleby from Appleby Jewellers, who sell engagement rings

For the past two weeks, Lunchtime Live has spoken to parents who are caring for adult children with intellectual disabilities about their struggles to get support for their care. Yesterday, Andrea spoke to Mother “Anna” who dropped her daughter off at A&E because she had reached a breaking point in trying to care for her. Today, Taoiseach Micheal Martin responded to Anna's story. Andrea also spoke and met in person Tony Murray, the Founder of the Before We Die Campaign, his wife, Susan and their daughter, Aoife at their home

Over the past few decades, the number of tourists in Dublin has been on the rise, helping to create jobs and fuel the economy. But has the city become to tourist centric? And is it making the quality of life for residents worse with noise pollution ? Joining Andrea to discuss was Robbie Kitt - DJ, Give us the Night Campaign, Jamie Harrington and Aaron, a Taxi Driver in Dublin

From ghostly goings on in Leinster House, to Irish interest at Crufts – Laura Donnelly joined Andrea with a roundup of some of the stories from across the country this week.

Severe flooding has caused significant disruption across Dublin following heavy rainfall overnight, with many areas experiencing dangerous road conditions and traffic delays.Dublin Airport has urged passengers to allow extra travel time due to heavy congestion and flooding on key routes to the airport.Meanwhile, residents on Marrsfield Avenue in the Belmayne area have been particularly hard hit, with floodwaters causing extensive damage to homes and vehicles.Andrea was joined by those who have been affected by the flooding overnight aswell as Alan O’Reilly from Carlow weather, and Conor Doyle is an assessor, Graeme McQueen, Media relations Manager with the DAA and broadcaster Adrian Kennedy

Earlier in the show Andrea spoke to one mother Anna who had been driven to breaking point looking for support who had no other option but to drop her daughter at A&E. Cian O’Callaghan- Deputy Leader of the Social Democrats joined Andrea to discuss.

Tony Murray spoke to us about how difficult life can be for parents looking after adult children with intellectual disabilities, he mentioned one mother who had been driven to breaking point looking for support who had no other option but to drop her daughter at A&E... That mother joined Andrea to discuss

You spend a lot of your life on one, so how do you know if you’re sleeping on the right mattress for you?This week, the Home Squad are here to discuss all things tech and home,Joining Andrea to discuss is  Jenny Sheahan -Home Squad Regular and ‘workers cottage’ on Instagram  and Jenny Butler  from Jennifer Anne Interiors  

It has been revealed that sales of shots and drinks surged in the Dail bar last year, rising by a four hundred and forty five thousand euro.So what do you think of this bar tab?Andrea was joined by Aisling Moloney, Newstalk Reporter and former Political Correspondent Fianna Fail TD, Malcolm Byrne Malcolm Byrne, Brid Smith former People before profit TD, former Senator, Mary Seary Kearney  and callers who voiced their opinion on the Dail bar

A recent study has found that daughters cost parents more than sons. According to the research, daughters are more likely to want pricier clothes, beauty products and experiences, with parents also reportedly spending more on things like activities and social costs.?  So Are boys more expensive than their female siblings?  Joining Andrea was  Katie Makk from Opinions Matter Podcast and  Presenter with Today FM, Alison Curtis

We’ve decided to do a deep dive on some of our favourite albums to explore the stories behind them.What did the artists really think of each other? Where did the inspirations from the songs come from?Joining Andrea to discuss is Head Tour Guide at the Irish Rock ‘N’ Roll Museum Experience, Alan Buckley, who’s going to talk through David Bowie's Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust

Panic attacks can be brought on by bouts of anxiety and leave people utterly debilitated...  Dominique McMullan, Image Media Editorial Director, shared her story online and joined Andrea to reflect on the impact of Panic Attacks on her and what she has done to address them

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.98FM’s Cathal O’Sullivan joined Andrea in the studio to put a smile on your faces…

New Airbnb regulations will prevent homeowners in towns with populations exceeding 20,000 from renting their properties on a short-term basis for more than 90 days per year.Enterprise Minister Peter Burke confirmed that Government leaders agreed to the change on Monday night, stating that the Coalition must remain “cognisant” of tourism-dependent towns with limited hotel capacity.With hotel prices continuing to rise and certain parts of Ireland struggling to attract visitors, is this policy the most effective way to boost tourism nationwide while also supporting the hotel sector?Joining Andrea was Lorna Cahill Liaison for people with Air Bnb’s and owner of an Air BnB in West Clare,  Eoin Doyle a  hotelier, Lynnie O’Connell P - Hugh Morries, from Hugh Morris Alliance Auctioneers and Valuers and listeners to debate the upcoming measures.

Recently, we have had a few of our listeners reach out to tell us their experience when getting their staff Garda vetted.  Garda vetting is a check of your criminal record or any threat to children or vulnerable adults in Ireland.  Andrea was joined by James Hennessy, Zoo director of the National Reptile Zoo Antonio Montero, Coach, Mark Candon, Principal of St. Laurence O'Toole's National School Founder of the Silent Sideline Campaign and who runs an afterschool program to tell us how they found the process.  

It’s time for Making Babies.We hope that this piece and all the podcasts of the episodes before it can help people anywhere on their fertility journey.  Today, we’re talking about taking the step to try IVF, and how you should be prepared for that.Professor Shane Higgins, Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist at the National Maternity Hospital, joined Andrea

The Oyekanmi family came to Ireland a number of years ago from Nigeria. Titilayo Oluwakemi Oyekanmi, and her three boys sought asylum here. But the family is to due face deportation tomorrow. Titilayo joined Andrea to discuss their campaign for the Justice Department to intervene in their case. Also joining Andrea was Finbarr O’Brien, De La Salle Rugby Club, where Titilayo's son has become involved in the club. Statement from the Department of JusticeThe Department cannot comment on individual cases.The Department takes all necessary steps to manage the international protection process efficiently and effectively, while ensuring the integrity of those processes is maintained at all times.People can apply for international protection in Ireland if they have come to escape persecution in their own country or if they cannot return to their country because they have a well-founded fear for their safety.Both the International Protection Office (IPO) and the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) are fully independent in deciding whether or not to grant international protection. Each application is examined individually on its own merits, in line with national and international asylum law.People who have been refused international protection and have exhausted the appeals avenues through the IPAT are entitled to submit a request to review their permission to remain where their circumstances have changed since their initial application. If successful, they will be granted permission to remain in Ireland. If the permission to remain review is refused the persons will have the option of voluntary return, which if not accepted will in the normal course lead to the making of a deportation order.If a person’s application for international protection is refused and they are ordered to leave the State they must do so. Their case to remain in the State has been considered in detail and the appeals processes have been concluded. Before a deportation order is made the person is offered assistance to return home voluntarily. This is the preferred option and the Department runs a  voluntary return programme to assist people to return prior to a deportation order issuing.

Has your train line been closed for a few months?  Or maybe there’s a new one due to open near you and you’re wondering when?Joining Andrea to answer all your rail-related questions was Barry Kenny of Irish Rail.

Over the past week and a half, we’ve been hearing from parents of children with disabilities who are living with constant fear, anxiety, and deep frustration at the lack of support for their children when their parents are no longer here. Their stories have been powerful, and the emotional toll on families is impossible to ignore.Joining Andrea was another parent whose son has managed to secure accommodation. Mary O’Donnell she told Andrea about her experience on trying to get care for son.

In a bid to tackle Frances declining birth rate  every 29-year-old in the country will receive a letter encouraging them to have babies before it’s too late.What do you think of this? Is it a good approach? Or a bit heavy-handed?Joining Andrea was Helena Tubridy, Fertility coach, and Newstalk's own Laura Hannon and listeners who joined Andrea with their opinions