Lunchtime Live

Earlier on Newstalk Breakfast, Anton Savage spoke to Sinn Féin Councilor Aoife Rose O’Brien on the mass eviction notice served to 36 households in Wexford.The eviction will impact about 100 people living in the Hazelwood estate in Bridgetown…Andrea is joined by some of those affected 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 ‘The Mel Robbins Podcast’!Image: SiriusXM

How have missile strikes in the Middle East affected those living there?Andrea is joined by Irish people both living and stranded in Dubai to discuss their experiences…Image: Reuters

For this week’s Ask Me Anything, State Pathologist Linda Mulligan joins Andrea to answer any of your questions!

We hear a lot about protein and why it’s good for you, but how much of it do we need to be eating? And why is it especially important as you get older?Laura Dowling, aka the Fabulous Pharmacist, is attempting to up her protein intake in a bid for a “better middle aged ass”, and joins Andrea along with Shelly Gray, Registered Dietician and Today FM Presenter to discuss.

The University of Galway is proposing to discontinue its general arts degree as part of a wider academic review, citing an international decline in demand as students increasingly favour courses with clearer routes to employment.Arts, Social Sciences and Celtic Studies are among the programmes under consideration, with the university aiming to align its offerings more closely with evolving student demand and career pathways.Should these courses be scrapped, and do we need to reduce the length of college courses in general?Joining Andrea to discuss is Assistant Professor at DCU’s School of English, Ellen Howley, Guidance Counsellor and Irish Times Columnist, Brian Mooney, as well as listeners.

Yesterday, we heard about a school in Sligo where students are wearing their coats in the classroom due to lack of services to keep the children warm. Today, Andrea will be speaking to two parents from St Patrick's Primary School in Celbridge where the building presents a serious and immediate safety concern that extends well beyond routine maintenance issues…Áine and Melissa are parents of students there, and join to discuss.

Breakfast Briefing Presenter Shane Beatty joined Andrea with a roundup of some of the stories from across the country this week.

New figures show that more than 300,000 homes are now in arrears on their electricity bills. What needs to be done to help people?Joining Andrea to discuss is Conor Pope, Consumer Affairs Correspondent with The Irish Times, as well as listeners.

Sometimes, it’s handy to have some tools at home and the basic knowhow to fix small things.This week, the Home Squad are here to discuss tools and answer your questions!Joining Andrea to discuss is Jenny Sheehan, Irish Examiner Columnist and former winner of ‘Home of the Year’ (@workerscottage on Instagram) and Founder and CEO of The DIY Academy Martin Glynn.

Would you like to see pets on the bus, Luas or train?The National Transport Authority has opened a public consultation, asking people to get involved and have their say on pets on public transport?So should everywhere be dog friendly? Or should your four-legged friends be left at home?Joining Andrea to discuss is Eanna Ni Lamha, Environmentalist and Wildlife Expert, Samantha Rawson dog trainer and behaviourist and pet lover Andrea Smith.

Many survivors of sexual assault did not remember consenting to the use of their counselling notes in court, a survey has found.The survey, carried out by survivor led charity Beyond Surviving, has received over 240 responses within 24 hours and found that many survivors did not recall giving informed consent for their notes to be accessed and used in courts.These findings come as amended legislation on the matter is due to come before the Oireachtas Committee.Founder Ciara Mangan and Solicitor Sarah Grace join Andrea to discuss.

Gaelscoil Chnoc na Ré, the only Gaelscoil in County Sligo, is in dire need of a new school building.The school currently has only one classroom in the main building, being left to rely on prefab units for the majority of their pupils.Although the school has been part of the ADAPT programme to be redeveloped since 2022, they are still waiting…Joining Andrea to discuss this is Liz Nic Searraigh, Principal of Gaelscoil Chnoc na Ré, and Olivia McFadden, parent of a Gaelscoil student and member of the Parent’s Association.

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 Queen’s ‘A Night at the Opera’!

A recent survey carried out by RIP.ie has discovered that the average Irish person attends five funerals a year. Out of those figures, it has been discovered that Kerry people go to the most.The report also suggests that 90% of respondents believe every family should have the right to deliver a eulogy at the funeral mass of a family member.We want to know, why do people from the countryside go to more funerals than Dublin people? How often do you go to funerals?Joining Andrea to discuss is Graham Gleasure from The Gleasure Funeral Home in Tralee, Bríd McGowan Funeral Director and Embalmer in Sligo, Ocean FM Presenter Claire Ronan, Newstalk’s Josh Crosbie and Content Creator, Padraig Wilson McCarthy.

Tony Murray is amongst parents of adults with intellectual disabilities to present to TDs in the Dáil this lunchtime as part of their Before We Die campaign.Newstalk Reporter Josh Crosbie was there, and joins Andrea with the latest.

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…Image: Reuters

Dublin City Council and approved housing body Tuath have received backlash from social tenants in a mixed housing complex.Social tenants in the Newmarket Yards Complex in D8 have condemned their exclusion from the complex's amenities, such as the gym and community room, saying it’s “completely segregation.”Andrea is joined by one of those tenants, who will remain anonymous, Hazel de Nortúin, People Before Profit Councillor for Ballyfermot/Drimnagh and Town Planner Derek Whyte to discuss.

Irish boxing legend Katie Taylor has announced that she will retire after her final fight this summer, still aiming to have it take place in Croke Park.Joining Andrea to give their reactions is Olympic boxer Michael Carruth, Philip Egan from Off the Ball and Liam Morley Brereton from St Brigid’s Boxing Club in Offaly.

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 some of the conditions that can affect you during your pregnancy.

Do you and your other half have a joint account?And how do you manage splitting the bills in your household?It seems that among younger generations, there is a move away from joint bank accounts as couples keep their finances separate…Joining Andrea to discuss this is Siobhan Maguire, Consumer Journalist.

The national anthem is a powerful symbol of identity and heritage. For many, it inspires a deep sense of pride; for others, it holds little personal significance.Waterford County Council has unanimously passed a motion to make Ireland’s national anthem a mandatory part of the primary school curriculum.The proposal was introduced by Donnchadh Mulcahy of Sinn Féin. Speaking with Anton Savage this morning, Cllr Mulcahy outlined the reasoning behind the motion and why he believes learning the anthem should be an essential part of a child’s early education.So, do you think the national anthem should be mandatory as part of the school curriculum?Joining Andrea to discuss is Freelance Sports Journalist Mortimer Murphy, Lisa O'Sullivan Shaw (@modernirishmom on Instagram) and listeners.

For this week’s Ask the Expert, Andrea is joined by Dublin Bus Spokesperson Blake Boland to answer any of your bus-related questions!

Tony Murray from the Before We Die Campaign, set up to support parents with adult children with intellectual disabilities, will be going to Dáil Éireann tomorrow with a group of parents to make a presentation to politicians.He joins Andrea to discuss the plan, and give updates on the campaign.

Many people enter marriage with hope, but not all marriages last. For some couples, divorce becomes the only realistic option. During such an emotional time, the legal process can add further stress through court procedures, costs, waiting periods, and complex requirements.While these safeguards aim to ensure fairness and protect children, they can also make the process longer and more difficult, especially for those facing financial hardship or unhealthy relationships.Simplifying procedures, reducing costs, and expanding mediation could make divorce more accessible. At the same time, reducing social stigma would help make it more acceptable when it is truly necessary.So, how can things be improved, or should they be left as is?Joining Andrea to discuss is Liz Dwyer, Journalist and Founder of the Fertility Show, Clinical Physiotherapist, Stephanie Reegan and listeners.

Have you ever posted a picture on social media of a getaway at a five star hotel?One Irish Tiktoker has gone viral after posting that this shouldn’t be normalised, and most of us have no business spending a month’s wages on a luxury hotel break...So, how does social media feed into the pressure?Anne Sheeran, who posted the TikTok, as well as Travel Journalist Nicola Brady join Andrea 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 Psychologist Dr Malie Coyne to discuss the different kinds of therapy, and how to find out which one is right for you.

Over the weekend, following a gig in Dublin, an unfortunate incident took place.Max Oliver from the band Legss joins Andrea to discuss what happened…

According to new data, a toll increase on the M50 in January did nothing to combat congestion on the motorway - but are we surprised about this?Joining Andrea to discuss is Editor with Completecar.ie, Shane O’Donoghue, Jamie Groom, CEO and Co-Founder of Rent a Recruiter and listeners.

Dr Nina Byrnes, GP at Generation Health Medical Clinic joined Andrea Gilligan to tackle your medical queries…

Rebecca Rose is an influencer from Dublin. She’s 19 and started her social media presence in earnest last year.Already, she has over 30 thousand followers between Instagram and TikTok.Earlier this month Rebecca was out in Dublin City Centre at night and was recognized by a group of young men. She says they threatened her and assaulted her friend…She joins Andrea, along with Jule Haynes, known as Twins_and_me on Instagram to discuss what happened.

Third-level colleges will be asked by the Government to look at reducing the number of days students must be on campus for lectures to limit commuting and pressure on student accommodation.Will this move work? Or will the college experience change for the worse for students?Joining Andrea to discuss is Lauren Joyce, Deputy President of the DCU Students Union, Maisie Hall, President of Galway University Students Union, Grace McNally, President of Trinity College Dublin Students' Union, English student Jane Cowan and more.

American rock legends Foo Fighters thrilled Irish fans with two surprise intimate gigs this week. One special performance took place at St James’ Church in Kerry, creating a unique and atmospheric setting, while another show will be held tonight at The Academy in Dublin.Tickets for the Dublin gig went on sale at the 3Olympia Theatre box office on Dame Street, priced at €99, and sold out within minutes as fans rushed to secure a spot at the highly anticipated show.Were you one of the lucky ones to get your hands on these tickets?Joining Andrea to discuss is Stuart Clarke from Hot-Press Magazine, Other Voices Promoter Philip King and listeners.

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.