Lunchtime Live

Gardaí have launched a road-safety campaign focusing on things like the visibility of pedestrians, cyclists, e-scooter drivers and motorcyclists.But, some are saying that it’s a “dangerous” narrative and putting a lot of the blame on cyclists, rather than promoting safe driving.So, are the criticisms correct, and should cyclists have to wear hi-vis at all times?Joining Andrea to discuss is Editor of Irish Cycle, Cian Ginty, as well as listeners.

GP in Drumcondra Dr Brian King joined Andrea Gilligan to tackle your medical queries.

Architect and Presenter of ‘Home of the Year’ Hugh Wallace has sadly passed away at the age of 68.Joining Andrea to pay tribute and remember him is Jenny Sheahan, former winner of ‘Home of the Year’, Peter Finn, better known as Pete the Builder and more.Image: RTÉ

The National Transport Authority is set to begin a phased rollout of contactless payments across TFI Local Link Services today, which is forecast to be complete by the end of 2026.However, Transport Minister Darragh O’Brien told an Oireachtas Committee on Transport in June that contactless payments on Dublin transport may not be fully available until 2029…Why is this taking so long?Joining Andrea to discuss is Joshua Ellul, Member of the Labour Party and Dublin Commuter Coalition, as well as listeners.

We’re officially in the run up to Christmas!For the next few weeks, Lunchtime Live is going to be highlighting some great Irish businesses that you can support this festive season.Today, we’re focusing on toys kids may want to put on their lists to Santa.To discuss, Andrea is joined by Creator of the ‘30 Seconds’ board game Greg Dooley, Owner and CEO of Jiminy Toys Bobbi Cotter, Shop Manager of Cogs Toys & Games Alan Condon and Founder of The Toy Factory Giorgia Anile.

Welcome to The Pod Squad!We review podcasts every week so you always have something new to listen to.Host of the ‘What’s Trending in F1?’ podcast Elaine Power and Newstalk’s Laura Donnelly join Andrea to review ‘Stockton Street: Venus and Serena Williams’!Image: fwd.

Ireland’s maternity system is set for one of its biggest shake-ups in decades, as plans to phase out private maternity care begin to take shape. The move is aimed at creating a fairer, more consistent experience for expectant mothers, but has sparked mixed reactions from clinicians and patients.Supporters say it will streamline services and reduce inequality, while critics warn it removes the choice that many women want…So, what do you think?Joining Andrea to discuss is Tara Whelan, Founder of Resilient Emotions, Dr Krysia Lynch, Chairperson for the Association for Improvements in Maternity Services in Ireland, Journalist Chrissie Russell and listeners.

For this week’s Ask Me Anything, Impressionist Al Foran joins Andrea to answer any of your questions around comedy and impressions!

‘Moulin Rouge! The Musical’ is running at Bord Gáis Energy Theatre from November 2025 to January 11.Joining Andrea to discuss is Tony and Academy Award–nominated Playwright, Screenwriter, and Producer behind the show, John Logan!

A new ad from the Data Protection Commission has received quite a bit of attention online.If you haven't seen it yet, basically it depicts a young girl with parents on her birthday. Strangers around her start wishing her happy birthday, with them having knowledge of her personal information such as where she attends school.It has showcased to many the risks of sharing personal information about your children online…So, do we need more attention put on this topic?Joining Andrea to discuss is Katie Makk, Presenter and Producer of the ‘Opinions Matter’ podcast, children's book writer Anne Marie O’Sullivan, Psychotherapist Bethan O’Riordan and Siobhan O’Neill White of mams.ie.

Comedian and writer Joanne McNally recently spoke on how people treat her solely based on her strong accent, particularly men…Should we ever judge people by their accents?Joining Andrea to discuss is Newstalk Reporter, Sarah Madden and Dr. Stephen Lucek, Assistant Professor in Linguistics in UCD.

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

A horrific killing of a stag occurred in Newbridge House in Donnabate in the early hours of Wednesday morning. The stag, who was 8 years old, was one of 16 Irish red deer. The herd were kept fenced in for more than two decades as they are a protected species.The stag’s head was decapitated. and there is no doubt that it was a trophy kill.Nearby residents are shocked at the incident and have said nothing like this has ever happened before.What do we need to do to prevent animal cruelty like this happening?Joining Andrea to discuss is local Cllr Eoghan Dockrell, Co-Founder of My Lovely Horse Rescue Martina Kenny and John Tierney from the Association of Hunt Saboteurs.

December is around the corner, so it might be time to get your house ready for the festive season if you haven’t already…This week, the Home Squad are here to discuss Christmas decorations!Joining guest host Anna Daly to discuss is Jenny Sheehan, Irish Examiner Columnist and former winner of ‘Home of the Year’ (@workerscottage on Instagram) and Sarah Carroll (@sand.and.deliver on Instagram).

With Thanksgiving on today, how is the holiday celebrated in Ireland?It’s not a traditional Irish celebration, but American expats, returning emigrants, and a growing number of locals have embraced it in their own way; from turkey dinners in Dublin to small community gatherings around the country…Joining guest host Anna Daly to discuss is Vice Chair of Democrats Abroad, Patti Shields, Eoin Heneghan, co-owner of the Merry Ploughman and listeners.

Bank of Ireland has announced a new pilot loan that could make it easy to trade down to a smaller home.Would you consider downsizing if the process was made simpler - or is your house your forever home? And how would it impact the market in a housing crisis?Guest host Anna Daly is joined by listeners to discuss…

For people who have ADHD, many of the biggest challenges faced by them is time management. To help people to tackle this, ADHD Ireland have set up a new six-week program. The program will help people with ADHD meet deadlines on certain projects and assignments they may have.Joining guest host Anna Daly to discuss is Martin Finn from ADHD Ireland and Amy Fox ,who has a lived experience with ADHD, to talk about how important this program is for people.

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 guest host Anna Daly to discuss is Head Tour Guide at the Irish Rock ‘N’ Roll Museum Experience, Alan Buckley, who’s going to talk through Joni Mitchell’s album ‘Blue’!

A group of residents in Ranelagh have launched a legal challenge against the construction of the MetroLink in their area - further putting pressure on the project, and potentially delaying it even further. Should a legal challenge be allowed for large projects like these?Guest host Anna Daly to discuss is Hazel Chu, Green Party Spokesperson for Public Expenditure and Dublin City Councillor, Duncan Smith, Labour Party Whip and Fingal East TD, as well as listeners.

According to research, teens who start using cannabis before age 15 are more likely to use the drug often later in their lives.They are also more likely to develop mental and physical health problems in young adulthood compared to their peers who did not use the drug in adolescence…So, what are the long-term effects of early cannabis use?Joining guest host Anna Daly to discuss is Professor Colin O’Gara, Addiction Psychiatrist at St John of Gods Hospital & Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at UCD, Declan Keenan, Youth Worker in the Northeast Inner City and Nikki Hayes, DJ and Broadcaster.

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 guest host Anna Daly in the studio to put a smile on your faces…

The Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, David Lamy, has drawn up proposals for all Jury trials except for the most serious crimes such as rape, murder and manslaughter to be scrapped.Is that something we should do here? Or would it have a negative impact on the justice system?Joining guest host Anna Daly to discuss is Ronan Lupton, Barrister and Senior Counsel, as well as listeners.

Every Wednesday afternoon, we’ll be talking Making Babies.Professor Shane Higgins, Master of the National Maternity Hospital, joins 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 guest host Anna Daly to discuss the differences between public, private and semi-private care…

In a recent survey, 62% of men believe that “women have too many expectations of how men should be in relationships these days”. 44% say they would have to change too much about themselves in order to make a serious relationship work long-term…Last week, guest host Anna Daly was joined by SPIN1038’s Katie Gallagher and Conzo, Comedian and Freelance Journalist to discuss the topic. Today, they join again to give an update, and discuss whether or not there is still hope in the modern dating world…

Parents face growing pressure as smartphones become a major part of children’s lives. Research from Fine Fáil shows that over 35% of children receive a smartphone between ages 11 and 13, yet only 18% of parents feel equipped to manage online risks. This gap highlights the need for better support for families.As technology use rises, parents must find ways to manage screen time and online safety, while society and schools can increase the pressure to provide smartphones simply because “everyone else has one”...So, what is the best way to tackle this? Joining guest host Anna Daly to discuss is Host of The Opinions Matter Podcast, Katie Makk, as well as listeners.

For this week’s Ask the Expert, guest host Anna Daly is joined by Jenny Branigan, Territory Manager for Park Run Ireland and Chartered Physio to discuss the event, and all of your park run questions!

With Christmas coming in fast, many people are hitting the shops in preparation for the festive season. For some, they are checking off their list of presents nice and early, with 77% of UK consumers planning to have all of their shopping done before the end of November.So, have you already done your Christmas shopping, or do you usually leave it to the last minute?Guest host Anna Daly is joined by listeners to discuss.

Nightclubs across the country are becoming fewer and far between. For many, they are a thing of the past. Many hate to think of a night out where they don’t end up on a dance floor, while others wouldn’t mind if they were to disappear.What would it mean for the future of Irish nightlife if nightclubs were to disappear into oblivion, and what impact would it have on people who work in the industry?Joining guest host Anna Daly to discuss is Coillí Collins AKA DJ Shampain, DJ and Spokesperson for Give us the Night Campaign, Robbie Kitt as well as Newstalk’s Dylan Hand and Daniela Rana.

The US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is calling for more civility in the skies, starting with a simple request: leave the pajamas at home!Speaking at Newark Airport, he said dressing with a little more respect could help curb the surge in unruly passenger behavior seen since 2019…So, is he right? Is this just one of the factors impacting civility on planes?Joining guest host Anna Daly to discuss is Therese McCullagh-Melia of The Etiquette Academy of Ireland, Melanie May, Travel Blogger and Mandy Maher, Stylist at Catwalk Model Agency.

It's How I live well time! Where someone joins to discuss what they do to improve their life...This week, guest host Anna Daly is joined by Stefania Ceolin, Psychotherapist, to discuss how you can look after your mental health in the winter months.You can contact Samaritans on 116 123 at any time if these issues impact you.

Last night, Everton Football Club had a shock 1-0 win against Manchester United, in a game that was somewhat marred by controversy.Just 13 minutes into the Toffees' remarkable Premier League win, Everton midfielder Idrissa Gueye was sent off for striking team-mate Michael Keane.But, just how big of an issue is this? And what sort of an example is it setting?Joining guest host Anna Daly to discuss is Sean Slattery, member of the Irish Soccer Refs’ Association, Off the Ball’s Daniel Pitcher and Fiona Connelly, Everton fan and Soccer Coach and more.

Dr Sylvester Mooney from Webdoctor.ie  joined guest host Clare McKenna to answer your questions.

Research shows that most people believe it is harder to make friends as you age.However, Freelance Journalist Emily Bratt found that making friends in her 30s was easier than she imagined!She joins guest host Clare McKenna to discuss.

A rally will take place outside City Hall today to protest rent increases for council and HAP tenants.Under the plans by Dublin City Council, social housing tenants would see the first change to how their rent is calculated in 30 years…For many, this will have a huge impact on people’s day-to-day lives amid the high cost of living.So, is this calculation fair? Or should it be left alone?Joining guest host Clare McKenna to discuss is Labour Cllr Dermot Lacey, as well as some of those impacted…

It’s fair to say we’re officially in the run up to Christmas…For the next few weeks, Lunchtime Live is going to be highlighting some great Irish businesses that you can support for all things Christmas!Today, we’re focusing on decorations. Guest host Clare McKenna is joined by Ger Sloyan from The Real Christmas Tree, Laura Dempsey. Pickled Pom Pom and Margerite & Johnny from Luxury Garlands 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 & Host of the ‘For Techs Sake’ podcast Elaine Burke join guest host Clare McKenna to review ‘Get Around To It’!

The Dublin City Council (DCC) in recent times has come under sustained criticism for calling its end-of-year special lighting display ‘Winter Lights’ instead of ‘Christmas Lights’.Is it important to recognise the traditional meaning of Christmas, or should these lights be more accommodating and inclusive to all?Joining guest host Clare McKenna to discuss is Peadar Tóibín, Leader of Aontú, Michael Nugent, Chairperson of Atheist Ireland and listeners.

For this week’s Ask Me Anything, Stunt Coordinator with Total Stunts Joe Condren joins guest host Anna Daly to answer any of your stunt-related questions!

Today is World Television Day, a chance to celebrate the shows, characters and moments that have shaped our lives. From comfort-watch favourites to the series that changed how we see the world, TV continues to influence culture in powerful ways. So what makes a show truly unforgettable, and why does television still matter in the streaming age?Joining guest host Anna Daly to discuss the shows that shaped them is Newstalk’s Ellen Kenny and TV and Movie Critic, Brian Llyod.

Gender reveal celebrations have become more popular than ever. Whether it’s cutting into a cake or popping a balloon, everyone waits for that exciting moment to see pink or blue. But, what happens when the color revealed isn’t the one someone was hoping for?And is it okay to feel disappointed to not have the gender you hoped for?Joining guest host Anna Daly to discuss is Clinical and Health Psychologist, Dr Bronagh Fitzpatrick, Columnist with the Irish Independent, Tanya Sweeney, Editor of Cork Beo, Joe O’Shea and Lisa O’Sullivan Shaw (@modernirishmom on Instagram).

A Chinese start-up has claimed to have developed a pill in the lab that could potentially extend human life to 150 years.This begs the question, even if we could, would you like to live to 150 years of age?Joining guest host Anna Daly to discuss is Terry Prone, Columnist with The Irish Examiner and Chairman of the Communications Clinic and Liam Collins, Columnist with The Irish Independent.

From €80 t-shirts to a record wool map of Ireland, Alex Rowley from the Newstalk Newsroom joins guest host Anna Daly with stories from around the country that you might have missed this week…

Fingal County Council has approved plans to introduce paid parking at Blanchardstown Shopping Centre, despite growing local protests. The new system, proposed by the centre’s owners, aims to improve traffic flow, but residents, workers and public representatives say it will place extra costs on staff and undermine what has long been a key community space in Dublin 15.So, is parking getting too expensive? And have you ever decided not to go somewhere simply because the parking charges put you off?Guest host Anna Daly is joined by listeners to discuss.

Anna’s guest has launched a petition calling for a once-off national holiday on March 27th, 2026: the day after Ireland’s World Cup playoff semi-final. The aim is to give the whole country the chance to come together and support the team during what could be a rare and historic moment for Irish football…If Ireland reaches the final, the petition also calls for March 31st and April 1st to be declared once-off holidays too. Supporters are encouraged to sign - and remember to verify their signature so it counts.Brion Kennedy, Irish Football Fan and Petition Founder and Daniel Hussey, Freelance Sports Journalist.

Many people living with conditions such as IBS and Crohn’s disease can be left in distressing situations when they suddenly need to use the toilet. For them, this isn’t a matter of convenience - it’s a medical necessity.Yet, many bars and restaurants restrict toilet access to paying customers. So, what does that mean for those living with long-term digestive conditions, and how can society better support them?Anna Daly’s guest is calling for the introduction of a ‘bowel card’ - giving people immediate access to toilet facilities when they need it most, helping to remove anxiety, uncertainty and embarrassment.Maria Crowe joins to discuss, as well as Mark Wall, Labour Party TD for Kildare South and Emily Larkin, Founder of Invisible Disability Ireland.

Gen Z are accused of many things: that they’re chronically online, surgically attached to their phones, avoidant of eye contact and allergic to small talk.They are, we’re told, the loneliest generation, and supposedly the one least able to hold a conversation with a stranger…So, it may come as a surprise to learn that they, not the extroverted, freewheeling generations before them, are the ones bringing back communal dining!Joining guest host Anna Daly to discuss this is Leslie Shoemaker, Psychologist and Lecturer in TU Dublin and Gráinne O’Higgins & Dearbhaile Gaffney, organisers of Mingle Meets Supper Club.

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 Amy Winehouse’s album ‘Back to Black’!

Dublin’s MetroLink project is expected to need around 8,000 construction workers.Programme Director Sean Sweeney has said Ireland may have to recruit many from abroad to meet that demand.But, with construction already facing labour shortages and workers continuing to emigrate due to high living costs and the housing crisis, serious questions are being raised about how the State can attract and house the workforce needed to deliver the project.Joining guest host Anna Daly to discuss is Cllr Feljin Jose, Spokesperson for Transport for the Green Party, Architect, Rósín Murphy, Iarnród Éireann's Apprentice Training Manager, Conor Doolin and more.

If you have a lack of confidence in yourself, how likely is that going to be carried over to your children? And, what should be done about it?Joining guest host Anna Daly to discuss is Personal Trainer and mam Georgy Dillion and Life Coach Mark Fennell.

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 guest host Anna Daly in the studio to put a smile on your faces…Image: Universal Pictures