Lunchtime Live

A search and rescue operation is underway in the Potomac River in Washington today after a passenger plane collided with a military helicopter in mid-air.  What happened?Andrea speaks to people on the ground in Washington DC as well as members of the aviation industry.

Following yesterdays reaction to our segment on how Storm Eowyn has impacted people across the country, we follow up with more callers to see how they have been impacted.

We’ve been taking a deep-dive into the varying religions that help make up Irish society in 2025 and today were joined by Ben O’Farrell, of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  

For this week’s Ask the Expert, Andrea is joined by Registered Dietician Ciara McNulty to answer any of your dieting questions!

Height can be a sensitive issue for men, especially when many women claim they only date men who are north of 6ft.But, are short men the last minority group that people can openly make fun of?To discuss, Andrea is joined by Jockey Leigh Roche as well as listener Andy to discuss.

Comedian Dara Ó Briain has said he wanted to find his birth mother to tell her “it worked out OK” in his life after being adopted as a child. He also spoke about how it was kind of awkward at times…The Irish stand-up, 52, spoke about his experience of searching and finding his birth parents in his previous comedy tour ‘So Where Were We’?So, what is it like meeting your birth parents?Andrea is joined by Clodagh Malone from the Coalition of Mother and Baby Home Survivors, Iseult White, Psychotherapist and author as well as listeners.

A new documentary focusing on the behind the scenes of Boyzone will be released on the 2nd of February, but Andrea got to see the premier of its first episode last night and loved it!Will you be watching?TV Producer Bill Hughes and Today FM Producer Shauna O’Reilly join Andrea to discuss.Image: Sky

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

We have heard from people over the last number of days that have been affected in the aftermath of Storm Éowyn.Around 142,000 homes, farms and businesses are still without power, while Uisce Éireann says over 6,000 premises still have no water supply.Many of the people that have been worst affected – many of whom have spoken on the show – live in rural areas.Is Storm Éowyn proof that rural Ireland is forgotten?To discuss, Andrea is joined by Seamus Boland, CEO of Irish Rural Link, Michael Fitzmaurice, Independent Ireland TD for Roscommon / Galway as well as listeners to discuss.

Welcome to The Pod Squad!We review podcasts every Tuesday so you always have something new to listen to.This week, Sarah-Jayne Tobin, Editor of rollercoaster.ie and 98fm’s Russell Alford join Andrea to review ‘The Curious History Of Your Home’!Image: Noiser

Storm Éowyn caused significant damage to homes last week…But, what repairs can you do at home?Peter Finn, better known as Pete the Builder from the Home Rescue TV show, joins Andrea to discuss what you can do yourself!

New data reveals that over three quarters of women have been labelled as emotional in performance reviews, compared to just 11% of men…  So, are women actually more emotional in the workplace, or is there a gender bias?To discuss, Andrea is joined by Caroline Reidy, Director of the HR Suite, Hannah Quinn Mulligan is a Journalist and Farmer, Nadia Adan is the owner of Ashford Motors and Nora Casey, businesswoman and Broadcaster.

Are the Irish good at dealing with death - you may have heard people say that we “do death well”, but is that really true?This week is National Grief Awareness Week, and Andrea is joined by Bereavement Coordinator with Our Ladies Hospice, Ann D’Arcy, to discuss.

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 Clare McKenna, Presenter of Alive and Kicking on Newstalk, to discuss why we should prioritise rest more in our lives!

Up to 100,000 homes and businesses are likely to be without power for the rest of the week in the aftermath of last week’s storm, and some will be cut off from the grid until the end of next week.Brian Tapley, ESB Networks Regional Manager, gave Newstalk an update earlier this morning...Meanwhile, the Government has said that they have no plans to recall the Dail early to tackle the fallout from Storm Eowyn.Has the Government’s response been good enough?Andrea is joined by listeners to discuss.

Dr Nina Byrnes, GP at Generation Health Medical Clinic joined guest host Anna Daly to tackle your medical queries…

“I’m in my mid-30s and I haven’t had a boyfriend since I was 21. I’ve been going on dates the entire time, observing the many seismic shifts in dating culture. Here are 15 things I’ve learned from 15 years of singlehood…”So writes Rachel Thompson in the Guardian. She joins Anna Daly to discuss.

The fallout from Storm Éowyn continues today as almost 250,000 homes and businesses are still without power.Many workers have also been impacted by the closure of businesses, and have been left wondering what pay they are entitled to…Guest host Anna Daly is joined by listeners affected to discuss.

Apparently, we only wear a third of the clothes in our wardrobe!So, joining guest host Anna Daly to discuss how you can make the most out of yours is Stylist Mandy Maher and owner of Organised Chaos, Sarah Reynolds.

This is Lunchtime Live’s Big Batch. Every Monday we’ll be learning new easy to cook batch recipes to keep you eating well. No more staring into an open fridge looking for inspiration!This week, guest host Anna Daly is joined by Chef and Director of Conbini Condiments, Holly Dalton, to look at her recipes for instant ramen focaccia and her underrated ragu!Follow the hashtag #LLBigBatch for all our recipes.

Three in five people back Ryanair’s call for a two-drink limit at airport bars, according to the latest Red C poll published in the Business Post yesterday.The airline again recently called for a limit on alcohol served at airports, which it said would result in safer and better passenger behaviour on board aircraft, “...and a safer travel experience for passengers and crews all over Europe.”What do you think?Should there be a two-drink limit at airport bars?To discuss, guest host Anna Daly is joined by Pól Ó'Conghaile, Travel Editor at the Irish Independent, Marisa Mackle, former Flight Attendant and author of ‘Confessions of an Air Hostess’ as well as listeners.Image: McNally Design

For this week’s Ask the Expert, Peter Cosgrove, Managing Director of Futurewise, joins guest host Jonathan Healy to discuss how you can negotiate for a pay rise in your job.

Gillian O’Gorman is making a plea for help as her 83-year-old father has been stuck in University Hospital Limerick since October 23rd. He has stopped receiving rehabilitation treatment, but still cannot leave.Gillian joins guest host Jonathan Healy to explain the situation.

From a crazy Carrauntoohil hike to ‘smart’ benches, Breakfast Briefing Presenter Shane Beatty joins guest host Jonathan Healy with plenty of stories from around the country this week!

Most of the country is still feeling the effects of Storm Éowyn and its accompanied red weather warning. You can expect more winds this evening as it continues to move…So, how have you been affected, and what are the latest updates?Guest host Jonathan Healy is joined by Aoife Keely from Met Éireann, Siobhán Wynne, ESB Networks Regional Manager, Newstalk’s Henry McKean as well as listeners around the country.

From the different types to where you can put them, the Home Squad are here to talk all things tiles!Jenny Sheehan, Irish Examiner Columnist and former winner of ‘Home of the Year' and Sarah Twigg Doyle, Interior Stylist & Design Colour Consultant.

Met Éireann has issued a red weather warning for the entirety of the country, with Storm Éowyn hitting tomorrow.To get the latest updates on services around the country, as well as tips on how to prepare, Andrea is joined by:Aoife Keely from Met ÉireannBarry Kenny, Corporate Communications Manager with Irish RailBrendan Crowley, Owner and Managing Director of Wexford BusGraeme McQueen, Media Relations Manager with the DAAAlan O’Reilly of Carlow WeatherSiobhán Wynne, ESB Networks Regional ManagerPeter Finn, also known as Pete the BuilderEoghan Corry, Travel JournalistNeil McDonell, CEO of ISMEKillian O’Kelly, RNLI Water Safety Education Manager

Every Thursday on Lunchtime Live, Andrea will be joined by followers of different religions in Ireland to learn more about them.This week, Quaker Will Hare joins Andrea to discuss his faith.

For this week’s Throwback Thursday, Rebecca Shekleton, Presenter on 98fm’s Big Breakfast joins Andrea to look back on the year 1978!

From blood types, to supply and who can and can’t donate blood: Andrea is joined by Dr Ellen McSweeney, Irish Blood Transfusion Donor Consultant, to answer your blood donation questions for this week’s Ask the Expert!

Today, 174 TDs assembled in the Dáil chamber at 11am, and the nomination process for the new Taoiseach began.That is, until, the Dáil was suspended for a third time…So why are things seemingly off to a rocky start?Seán Defoe, Newstalk’s Political Correspondent and Brendan Howlin, former Labour Leader and Cabinet Minister, join Andrea to discuss.

It's January, and everyone is hitting the gym and eating healthy, but how do we know we are getting enough protein?To discuss, Andrea is joined by Registered Dietician, Orla Walsh.

Road safety campaigners have been urging Google to remove alerts that a Garda checkpoint is approaching...Should they be removed? And do these alerts encourage dangerous driving?To discuss, Andrea is joined by Susan Gray, Chairperson of road safety group PARC, Brenda Bolger from the School of Motoring in Kilkenny and more.

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

The Dáil is meeting today for the nomination of a new Taoiseach, but it will not sit again for another two weeks.When business gets back underway in the Dáil on February 5th, it will be nearly two months since traditional business in Leinster House took place…It’s understood that the Government wants this break to allow new Ministers to get acquainted with their briefs.Should our politicians be taking this extra time off?Andrea is joined by former Tánaiste and Labour Party Leader Joan Burton and more to discuss.

Welcome to The Pod Squad!We review podcasts every Tuesday so you always have something new to listen to.This week, Killian Ginnity from the ‘Not A Pundit Podcast’ and Ellen Butler from Newstalk’s Newsroom join Andrea to review ‘Noble’!Image: Campfire

Yesterday, Donald Trump was sworn in for a second time, becoming the 47th president of the United States…But, no inauguration day is without its surprises, and there were plenty of weird and fascinating moments!Joining Andrea to discuss is Gina London, former White House Correspondent for CNN and Sunday Independent Columnist and Laura Mullet, Stylist and Journalist.

There has been a lot of chat lately about the safety of children when using the internet.Andrea’s guest knows just all about the real dangers that lurk online, CEO of Hotline.ie and former Garda, Mick Moran…He joins the show to give his top tips.Image: Hotline.ie

The first HSE app is being launched in March.The app, which will have ­limited functions initially, will expand over time and aim to give people the freedom to book appointments and store a range of health information.Many other health services throughout Europe already offer apps like this – why is Irish medical tech so far behind?Is this app a step in the right direction?Andrea is joined by listeners to discuss, including Pharmacist Sheena Mitchell and Dr Martin Daly, Fianna Fáil TD.

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 Eva Berg, who has been teaching reformer pilates for 30 years!

New research has revealed that 79% of Dublin residents believe that key workers living in Dublin should get rent subsidies. Does this make sense?Joining Andrea to discuss is Paschal Taggart, Dublin-based businessman, Róisín, Teachers Youth Spokesperson for Education Coalition Dublin West, Jason Cullen from the Dublin Commuter Coalition and more.

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

“I swapped my iPhone for a dumb phone – and got two hours back every day…’, so wrote Marion McGilvary recently in the Daily Mail.She joins Andrea to discuss why she made the change.

Donald Trump will be sworn in as US President at around 5pm Irish time today.Objectively, it is certainly a comeback for a man who has survived two impeachment trials, and two assassination attempts.So, what will his impact be in Ireland?Andrea is joined by Journalist Barbara McCarthy, Paddy Cullivan, Historical Entertainer and American citizen living in Galway and more to discuss.Image: Reuters

Ireland’s billionaires added an additional €13bn to their wealth last year, the equivalent to €35.6m each day, according to a new report from Oxfam Ireland.The charity called for greater taxation on extreme wealth…So, should we tax the rich more heavily?Andrea is joined by Registered Tax Consultant Jean Cashman as well as listeners to discuss.

This is Lunchtime Live’s Big Batch. Every Monday we’ll be learning new easy to cook batch recipes to keep you eating well. No more staring into an open fridge looking for inspiration!This week, Andrea is joined by Siobhan Berry, from @mummycooks on Instagram, to look at some easy and delicious meal prep ideas!Follow the hashtag #LLBigBatch for all our recipes.

It was reported today that schools have been issuing warnings over ‘snus’ being used among students… So, why have nicotine pouches become so popular again?Andrea is joined by Mark Dunne, SETU Students’ Union President, Eric Nelligan, Aontú Education Spokesperson and Secondary School Teacher, Tom Gleeson from the New Nicotine Alliance Ireland Keith Redmond owner of Redmond Dental Care on the Sutton Cross and more to discuss.

For this week’s Ask Me Anything, Trevor Twamley, CEO & Co-Founder of Sport Endorse, joins Andrea to answer any of your questions about being a sports agent!

Ciara Mangan, who helped convict her rapist Shane Noonan in 2023, has launched a new survivor-led charity to support others facing similar struggles.After her own difficult journey seeking justice, Ciara has set up the charity to address the "lonely struggle" many survivors endure, offering help and resources through a new website.Ciara joins Andrea to discuss.

Have businesses become too dog friendly?  Earlier today on Newstalk, Irish Independent Journalist Rosalyn Dee told Ciara Kelly about she takes her dog to churches…Is that a step too far? Where should the line be drawn?Andrea is joined by listeners to discuss.