Lunchtime Live

Rich people should cut back on flying and allow poorer families to take the form of travel, all with the intention of cutting overall emissions globally.That’s according to Emma Pinchbeck of the Climate Change Committee.What do you think? Is this unreasonable or would it make sense in the big picture?Andrea is joined by Climate Journalist, John Gibbons as well as listeners to discuss.

We live in a world of self-help and healing, but what happens when it goes too far? That’s what happened with Andrea’s guest who once struggled with an obsession for self-help, but managed to overcome it…Writer Hannah Ewens joins to discuss.

From Waterford blaas to sextuplet lambs, Breakfast Briefing Presenter Shane Beatty joins Andrea with plenty of stories from around the country this week!

It has been reported that only half of fathers take paternity leave, with income concerns a 'significant barrier'.Data shows that only a quarter of fathers take parents' leave compared to two-thirds of mothers, as income-related concerns act as a barrier to higher take-up rates of these forms of leave.To discuss, Andrea is joined by Peter Cosgrove, Managing Director at Future Work, Cathal Divilly, CEO Great Place to Work and Tom Coleman, Health Scientist and Sleep Coach.

If you’re in the mood for a bit of spring cleaning - it can be hard to decide what things in the house to keep, and what to let go of.Well, the Home Squad are here to help you with those decisions!Andrea is joined by Rachel Hobbs from Rachel Hobbs Interiors and Anna Bougharbel (@iaorana_house on Instagram) to discuss.

Earlier this month, plans to redevelop Dublin's Victorian Fruit and Vegetable market at St Mary’s Lane were confirmed.So, why does this market need such a drastic redevelopment, when something like the English Market in Cork is so successful?This morning, as producers were laying out their products at the English Market, Andrea spoke to some of them to find out why it has become an icon of the city.

Four Safety Wardens will be starting their work this summer in Cork.But, why are they needed?To discuss, Andrea is joined by Cork Business Association President, Dave O’Brien, Michael Wall, Owner of Salvagem, Owner of Nevilles Jewellers, John Neville and Cork City GRA representative, Pádraig Harrington.Image: Savills

Host of the Home Show, Sinead Ryan, spoke with Newstalk Breakfast earlier on how dressing well in the office has become a lost art…Is it true? Have things become too casual in the office?Andrea is joined by Louis Copeland, from Louis Copeland and Sons, Terry Prone, Columnist with the Irish Examiner & Chair of the Communications Clinic and Meghann Scully, Freelance presenter and Podcaster to discuss.

The Irish passport is now considered one of the strongest in the world, offering visa-free access to over 191 countries.This recognition highlights Ireland's global mobility and the benefits of Irish citizenship.Editor of Cork Beo, Joe O’ Shea, joins Andrea to discuss.

An issue that has been spoken about a few times on the show is the state of some water supplies in the country. And somewhere that is felt quite deeply is in Cork.With the show broadcasting from the Rebel County today, Andrea is joined by Michael Moynihan, Irish Examiner Columnist, Local Councillor Shane O’Callaghan and more to discuss how bad the issue is.

The compulsory purchase of land around the Cliffs of Moher has sparked controversy with local farmers, who claim they have been bullied and intimidated by Clare County Council…Andrea is joined by Pat Sweeney, Farmer, Tour Guide, Chair Doolin Branch IFA and Tom Lane, former Clare IFA County Chair to discuss.

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…

Is customer service becoming a dying art?The over reliance on chatbots and these ‘automated messages’ has a lot of people around the country pulling their hair out.Bill Walsh is one of those people, and joins Andrea to discuss his experience with Aer Lingus…Also joining to discuss is Presenter of the Home Show on Newstalk Sinead Ryan, Newstalk’s Tech Correspondent Jess Kelly and more.

Every Wednesday afternoon, we’ll be talking Making Babies.Andrea will be joined by Professor Shane Higgins, Master of the National Maternity Hospital 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 how you can prepare your body for the best chances of pregnancy.

Living with tinnitus can be a challenging and often invisible experience, affecting daily life in ways many don’t understand.Joining Andrea to discuss their own experiences with tinnitus are Newstalk Presenters Seán Moncrieff, Pat Naughton, Lynn Buckle, Community Resource Officer and Tinnitus Lead and Dan FitzGerald, Sound Engineer and Acoustician from IrishAcoustics.com.

Today, a bill is being introduced in an attempt to make catfishing illegal.Catfishing, at its core, is the act of using fake photos and information, often stolen from real people, to create a false identity online.But despite the damage it can cause, it’s not a crime.Joining Andrea to discuss is Senator Fiona O’Loughlin, CEO of Turn2Me, Fiona O'Malley and Stephanie Regan, Clinical Psychotherapist.If you have been affected by anything discussed please call Childline on Freephone 1800 66 66 66 or choose the live chat button at childline.ie, or The Samaritans on 116 123.

For this week’s Ask the Expert, Andrea is joined by Frank McGrath from Hearing Care Clinics to answer any of your hearing-related questions!

On the ‘Call Her Daddy’ podcast, Chappell Roan says having kids is hellish — and not all parents are upset about it.Is she right?To discuss, Andrea is joined by Katie Makk from the ‘Opinions Matter’ podcast and Amy Shanahan, owner of Amy Michelle Hairdressing in Cork City.Image: Island Records

The Irish Road Haulage Association has voiced growing concerns around bad driving behavior on the roads. From distracted driving to aggressive road habits, what can be done to address dangerous driving?Andrea is joined by listeners to discuss.

You only have to look out your window to see that summer is nearly upon us!A lot of people are now looking to book their summer trips away, but what if you are looking for an alternative to some of the more popular tourist destinations?What are some of the overlooked gems? The areas that are maybe slightly off the beaten track?Andrea is joined by Sarah Slattery, Founder of the travelexpert.ie, Melanie May, Solo Travel Writer & ‘Talk Travel’ Presenter on Dublin City FM and Ed Finn, award-winning Travel Journalist to give their recommendations!

It’s How I Live Well time! Where Andrea Gilligan is joined by someone to discuss what they do to improve their life.This week, Andrea is joined by Diarmuid Lyng, Co-Founder of Nature of Man to discuss the benefits to be gained from a men’s retreat!

The Netflix drama ‘Adolescence’, which has sparked conversation around toxic online content and youth violence, will be screened in UK secondary schools, Keir Starmer has announced.The UK Prime Minister said he wanted to talk about "what can we do as a society to stop and prevent young boys being dragged into this whirlpool of hatred and misogyny".What do you think about this idea?Is it something that we should do here?To discuss, Andrea is joined by Tara Duggan from Newstalk’s Newsroom, Alex Cooney, CEO of Cyber Safe Kids and more.Image: Netflix

Dr John Flanagan, GP at Suffolk Street Surgery joined Andrea Gilligan to tackle your medical queries…

Sabbaticals offer significant benefits for both employees and organizations. For employees, they provide an opportunity to recharge, pursue personal interests, and reduce burnout, leading to improved mental health, creativity, and job satisfaction. For organisations, sabbaticals help retain talent, reduce turnover, and foster a culture of trust and loyalty.So, should we be taking more sabbaticals?Joining Andrea to discuss is Wellness Coach and Author, Sinead Kennedy.

Influencers have been warned that they will face action from the consumer watchdog if they are found to be in breach of commercial content laws.Last week, we heard that former Ireland rugby captain Brian O’Driscoll had fallen foul of the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC)...He was one of 26 social media influencers taken to task for alleged breaches.Are you happy that the CCPC are taking a stronger hand with influencers around labelling paid posts and content?To discuss, Andrea is joined by Mandy Maher, Owner of The Platform - an agency that represents Social Media Influencers & Content Creators, Dr Irene McCormick, Senior Lecturer in Media SETU Carlow & Course Director of BA Content Creation and Social Media and Sinead O'Moore, Host of the Stretchmarks Podcast.

Planning permission issues in Ireland are a growing concern due to challenges in balancing urban development with environmental and regulatory restrictions. Delays, inconsistencies, and complex zoning rules often frustrate homeowners and developers.Joining Andrea to discuss this is Martin Kelly, Planning Consultant and Martin Linnane, Farmer in Kinvara and more.

Welcome to The Pod Squad!We review podcasts every week so you always have something new to listen to.Off the Ball’s Cameron Hill and Ellen Butler from the Newstalk Newsroom join Andrea to review the BBC’s ‘Hooligans’!Image: BBC

US President Donald Trump has a detailed tariffs plan for multiple industries to be revealed on the 2nd of April. This could include pharmaceutical and the food/drinks industries. How worried should the people of Ireland be about this?Joining Andrea to discuss is SIPTU Deputy General Secretary for the Private Sector Greg Ennis, Carrigaline Fine Gael Councillor Jack White, Sarah Grubb Cashel Farmhouse Cheese and more.

For this week’s Ask Me Anything, Jasmine Gerhardt, Miss Ireland and upcoming contestant in Miss World joins Andrea to answer any of your questions!

Today is National Daffodil Day; all around the country you’ll see people out today with buckets asking you to give generously for the Irish Cancer Society.So, where does the money go?Andrea is joined by listeners to discuss.

There has been a lot of talk about the hit show Adolescence recently.It has brought a lot of conversations to the fore – especially about the ‘manosphere’, influencers like Andrew Tate and dissatisfaction among young men.Joining Andrea to discuss toxic masculinity and men’s mental health is Human Potential Coach Ben Bidwell, Eimear Murphy from REIM Training Solutions, Chris Sherlock, Author, Mental Health Advocate and Anti-Bullying Campaigner as well as listeners.

Are you a football chanter?What is it about chanting at a football game that you love so much? What joy does it bring out in you?Apparently, over half of fans believe self-deprecating songs are a big part of football's fun.Joining Andrea to discuss is Off the Ball’s Johnny Ward, Ciaran Bradley from Newstalk’s Digital Team and Maeve De Burca, former Ireland player and Pundit.

From loo of the year to takeaway troubles, Breakfast Briefing Presenter Shane Beatty joins Andrea with plenty of stories from around the country this week!

British MP Andrew Rosindell has called for Ireland to rejoin the Commonwealth, arguing it could strengthen trade, diplomacy, and cultural ties. He believes membership would foster shared values of democracy and peace, offering Ireland new opportunities for global cooperation, despite the historical complexities between Ireland and the UK.What do you think?To discuss, Andrea is joined by Ray Bassett, former Senior Diplomat for Jamaica, Bahamas, Canada and Australia, as well as listeners.

If you don’t like the look of your radiator at home - no need to worry! The Home Squad are here to talk about what you can do to cover them up.Andrea is joined by Jenny Sheehan, Irish Examiner Columnist and former winner of ‘Home of the Year’ and Róisín Lafferty, Founder & Creative Director of Róisín Lafferty Design House to discuss.

Makeup Expert Michelle Ragazzoli Stone joins Andrea to share her five favorite beauty products. With her years of experience and eye for quality, she’ll walk you through the essentials she swears by for creating flawless looks!

The lack of speech and language therapists in the country is having a profound impact on Irish children.That’s according to Andrea’s guest, Eoghan O’Byrne, Principal of St Mary’s National School in Limerick City. He joins, along with Sarah Kelly, SpeakEasy Speech and Language Therapist and listeners to discuss.

This weekend the Endometriosis Association of Ireland are having their annual conference.It'll bring experts in front of people living with the condition to help gain understanding and knowledge.Andrea will be there, and so will Dr Larisa Corda, an Obstetrician and Gynaecologist and Serena Massey, CEO of Endometriosis Association of Ireland. They join to discuss.

One Irish man is making it his mission to visit every Irish pub in the world.Colm Dalton, originally from Kerry, now living in London, joins Andrea to discuss.

How little is too little when it comes to clothes at the gym?An article in the Times UK writes:‘I’m in the gym with semi-clad young women. Where do I look?’ writes Robert Crampton, ‘At my gym, whose patrons are three-quarters women in their twenties and thirties, I often feel as if I’ve wandered into the girls’ changing room by mistake’.What do you think?Have you noticed a lack of clothing at the gym?Andrea is joined by Paul Byrne, Director of Body Byrne Training, Nathalie Lennon, Content creator & personal trainer, Paulette Egan, Co-Founder of athletics clothing brand I-Spy clothing as well as listeners to discuss.

The cost of health insurance, energy, broadband, mobile and television services are all due to go up next month.So, several of your bills are going to rise, and soon.Joining Andrea to discuss why this is happening and what you can do is Irish Independent Personal Finance Editor, Charlie Weston and Michael Kilcoyne, Chairman of the Consumer Association of Ireland.

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: CMAT

‘No European city would tolerate the decay and dereliction visible in Dublin’ that is according to Independent Senator Michael McDowell writing in the Irish Times this morning.What do you think? Is Ireland an outlier in Europe when it comes to dereliction?Andrea is joined by Architect & Lecturer in Griffith College, Róisín Murphy, Robin Mandal from the Dublin Democratic Planning Alliance and more to discuss.

Every Wednesday afternoon, we’ll be talking Making Babies.Andrea will be joined by Professor Shane Higgins, Master of the National Maternity Hospital 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 debunk baby making myths!

Ryanair has launched an exclusive discount scheme for frequent flyers.Ryanair Prime will cost €79 for a full 12-month subscription – they say it could save Irish flyers hundreds of euros.Joining Andrea to discuss is Journalist with the Irish Examiner Cianan Brennan, John Gibbons, Environmental Journalist and Commentator and listeners to discuss.

The Government has been accused of ‘sticking two fingers up’ to the public on a day of Dáil chaos…Yesterday, scenes of unprecedented heckling were witnessed inside the chamber...So, what do you think of what happened in the Dáil yesterday?Andrea is joined by Newstalk’s Political Correspondent, Seán Defoe, as well as listeners to discuss.Image: Paul Murphy

For this week’s Ask the Expert, Andrea is joined by Seanie Clifford, AKA the CV Doctor, to answer any of your CV questions!

How often we should shower depends on factors like skin type, lifestyle, and climate.While daily showers work for some, others may benefit from showering less frequently.But, do we judge people who don’t shower daily?Andrea is joined by Aesthetician Eavanna Breen to discuss.

Lifeguards at one of Dublin’s top beaches have been issued with a dedicated sharps bin for syringes due to the volume of drugs paraphernalia being found along the shore.The latest incident reports compiled by lifeguards at Dollymount, which cover the 2022 and 2023 bathing seasons, recount a persistence of drug use and antisocial behaviour – including a man found to have overdosed in the sand dunes.Logbooks for previous years contained details of bathers being pricked by discarded syringes.So, is drug use and anti-social behaviour an issue on our beaches?Darragh McDonagh, Journalist with the Irish Mirror, Deputy Lord Mayor and Green Party Councillor, Donna Cooney and Dave O’Reilly Chair of Tidy Towns Greystones and listeners join Andrea to discuss.

‘Catch-up’ friendships are those where interactions are infrequent and centered around updates on life events.Often shaped by distance or changing priorities, these relationships can be comforting, but may lack the depth of more consistent connections.So, are you caught in a ‘catch-up’ friendship?Andrea is joined by Sarah Jayne Tobin, Editor with DMG Media, Laura Mullet, Journalist and stylist and Today FM’s Cathal Minogue to discuss.