Lunchtime Live

Irish Rail released a new timetable in late August, and it seems to have caused nothing but issues since…They apologised for the impact on commuters a few weeks ago, and are due to release a new timetable to fix the problems.Have you been affected?Andrea is joined by Barry Kenny from Irish Rail, Labour Councillor Corina Johnston and listeners who have been impacted to discuss.

Following yesterday’s coverage of inheritance tax changes from the budget in the show, Andrew McCann, Author of ‘Know your Rights’, emailed in with his situation of a blended family.He joins Andrea to discuss more.

From James Bond hitting our screens to the Thrilla in Manila fight, Ciaran O’Connor from 98fm joins Andrea Gilligan to rewind the clock!

The annual state grant to the horseracing and greyhound industries has increased by €4.1 million to €99.1 million for 2025: the highest the fund has reached in its 23 years of existence.The funding will be split between the two sports in an 80:20 ratio, €79.28m will go to Horse Racing Ireland, with €19.82m for Greyhound Racing Ireland, the governing bodies for the two industries.What do you think about the Government giving funds to the tune of almost 100 million to horse and greyhound racing?Andrea is joined by Johnny Ward from Off the Ball’s Racing Pod, Nuala Donlon from Greyhound Action Ireland, Damien Matthews, Chairman of the Irish Greyhound Owners & Breeders Federation and more to discuss.

For this week’s Ask the Expert, Andrea Gilligan is joined by Frank McGrath, Hearing Aid Audiologist with Ear Care Clinics, to answer all of your hearing-related questions!

It’s International Coffee Day this week!Technically it was yesterday, but with Budget day overshadowing things, it seemed right to still celebrate!But, do we know enough about the stuff we’re consuming every day?Andrea is joined by James McCormack, CEO of the Dublin Barista School and Heather Leeson, Registered Nutritional Therapist with Glenville Nutrition.

The amount that a person can receive as a gift or inheritance from a relation before having to pay Capital Acquisitions Tax will be increased as part of Budget 2025.Inheritance tax, which is technically known as the Capital Acquisitions Tax (CAT), is a tax of 33% on gifts and inheritances which kicks in at a particular limit. It does not have to be paid if the inheritance does not reach this limit.The threshold when inheritance tax must be paid has been increased from €335,000 to €400,000 for children. Is this fair?Andrea is joined by Jean Cashman, Registered Tax Consultant, Rowena Quinn, Managing Partner at Hunters Estate Agent and listeners to discuss.

‘Anyone else find friendship in their 40s hard?’ – so asked Journalist Niamh O’Reilly as she scribbled on the wall of a bathroom cubicle!Niamh joins Andrea as well as other listeners to discuss why she wrote that.

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.Ciara Treacy, Newstalk’s Digital Content Creator, joined Andrea this week to share all the things to make you smile!

Earlier on Newstalk, Home Show Presenter Sinead Ryan spoke about being a Godparent despite not being religious, and whether or not that matters. What do you think?  Should you have to be religious to be a Godparent?Andrea is joined by listeners including Anne Marie McAuley, Wedding and Family Celebrant to discuss.

Are we losing the ability to write legibly?Poor handwriting in Scottish schools is holding pupils back with assessors increasingly deducting marks from “indecipherable” exam papers.Do you think handwriting has gotten worse?Andrea is joined by listeners to discuss.

This year on Lunchtime Live we’ve been looking at things that we can do in order to make ourselves that bit happier and healthier.This week, Andrea is joined by Collette O’Hagan to learn all about marathons - she’s about to do her 1,000th!

Irish people are living in their childhood home until they are 28 on average, according to an analysis from the European Union’s statistic agency Eurostat.The Irish figures are above the EU average of 26.3 years, while people in Finland are living independently at the age of just 21.4 years.What do you think about the younger generation staying at the parental level until so much later in life?Andrea is joined by listeners to discuss and share their experiences.

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

Did you go to many weddings this summer? If so, how many of them took place in a Church? Odds are, it’s been less than usual.Fewer and fewer Irish couples are opting for traditional Irish weddings, but it still remains the most popular option for those getting wed.So, why are so many of us forgoing faith based ceremonies?Andrea is joined by Broadcaster Ruth Scott, who is a qualified Humanist Celebrant and Lindsey Moynagh, Wedding Planner to discuss.

Sadie entered the foster system before her first birthday and left at the age of 18. She's now working as a special needs assistant. She has found love, and has a family of her own. And works in Wexford.She joins Andrea to talk about her experience of the foster system.If there was anything in this podcast that affected you, The Samaritans can be reached at any time on 116 123.

Manifesting: are you all for it? Or do you think it’s a load of codswallop? “The Queen of Manifestation” Roxie Nafousi attracted big crowds to her live show in Dublin’s Helix Theatre, so there must be something to it - right?Irish Independent Journalist Tessa Ndjonkou was there, and joined Andrea, along with Ruth Allen, Hypnotherapist and Hypno Psychotherapist and Dr Sabina Brennan, Psychologist and Neuroscientist 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 Chef and Director of Conbini Condiments, Holly Dalton, to look at how versatile the short rib can be! With multiple recipes sure to make your batch cooking exciting!Follow the hashtag #LLBigBatch for all our recipes.

Councils could stop cars and raid houses under plans for a fresh crackdown on smoky fuel sales.The new measures are contained in a draft Air Pollution Bill currently being finalised, which would grant councils search-and-seize powers to clamp down on the sale and distribution of smoky fuels.What do you think about these proposals? Should councils have the power to raid houses? To stop and detain vehicles?To discuss, Andrea is joined by Roni Hawe, Programme Manager in the EPA / Programme Manager - Office of Radiation Protection and Environmental Monitoring, Cllr Feljin Jose, Green Party Councillor in Dublin, Cllr Padraig Fallon, Sinn Fein Councillor in Leitrim and more.

Every Friday, as part of our ‘Ask Me Anything’ series, we put your questions to people from interesting backgrounds or working in different careers. This week, Andrea Gilligan was joined by former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar to answer your questions!

The most iconic fashion gear of all time has been named, and it’s been worn by legends, but is it as favoured by the rest of us? Do you own a pair of Levi 501s?The jeans topped the poll of people asked what fashion item they deem to be the most important ever. The Ralph Lauren Polo shirt was second place, and the Chanel little black dress came in third.Joining Andrea to discuss this iconic clothing is Journalist and Stylist Laura Mullet.Image: Levi’s

Katie Taylor, Kellie Harrington, Michael Carruth: three names in a list of many Irish boxing heroes, but does boxing still get overlooked in Ireland?As the sports grant allocation of €230 million was released, boxing received just €830,914...Does one of our most successful sports deserve more?To discuss, Andrea is joined by former Irish International Boxer and current Boxing Commentator Mick Dowling, Eoghan Corry,Editor of Air & Travel Magazine, Liam Morley Brereton from St Bridget’s Boxing Club in Offaly and more.

Are you trying to learn a different language? Have you ever wondered just how effective language learning apps like Duolingo are?Andrea’s guest, Rodhan Harris, spent two years(!) using Duolingo everyday.To discuss, Rodhan, as well as Hard Shoulder Presenter Kieran Cuddihy, Padraig Ryan from the ELC Euro Language College and John Reilly, Founder & Editor of theEffect.net and regular gaming contributor to Newstalk's Tech Talk join the show.

From the most visited tourist destinations in the country to a hair-brained scheme at the Ploughing Championships, Breakfast Briefing Presenter Shane Beatty joins Andrea with stories from around the country this week.

The 2023 annual report for the Medical Bureau of Road Safety makes for some pretty grim reading. It shows that drink driving numbers are still high, and worryingly, the number of repeat offenders is high.243 drivers were arrested twice in 2023. One was even arrested seven times by Gardai in 2023 on suspicion of driving while intoxicated...Is there enough of a deterrent for drink driving?Andrea is joined by listeners including Seamus Boland, CEO of Irish Rural Link, to discuss.

From using the ceiling as a 5th wall to painting floors, this week’s Home Squad is all about paint trends!Oisin Butler from Oisin Butler Ltd – Painting and Decorating Specialist and Interior Designer Sarah Twigg Doyle of Retwiggd join Andrea to discuss.

Have you ever had that post-holiday, Sunday night fear before going back to work? Ciara Treacy from Newstalk’s Digital team has the solution! It’s called microdosing reality, and she joins Andrea to discuss.

If you have listened to this show before you might know that there are few things in this world that drive people crazy like phantom buses.Phantom or ‘disappearing buses’ - is the name given when buses continue to appear on apps and signs despite not being in service.Could we have a solution on the way?The National Transport Authority has revealed that they plan to launch a new automatic vehicle location system late next year, to be completed by early 2026.Is this the solution to our unreliable bus service?To discuss, Andrea is joined by listeners including Lynn Barker from the Lusk Action Group.

Right now, if you have a brain injury in Ireland you will be rushed to hospital to have your life saved.After that, it’s luck of the draw... Depending on where you live, you could be discharged home without appropriate information or education about the challenges you’ll face and the rehabilitation you’ll need to rebuild your life. Or even worse, you may be placed in a nursing home, because there’s no other support in your community.This is what happened to Priscilla, who joins Andrea to share her story. Catherine Lacey, Head of Service Operations for Acquired Brain Injury Ireland, also joins.

From Nirvana to Greta Thunberg, this was a big week in pop culture history. Ciaran O’Connor from 98fm joins Andrea Gilligan to rewind the clock!

Should we be paying for TDs to keep fit?Leinster House have put up a posting for a personal trainer, needed for the next 4 years, to keep TDs and Senators in shape. And, the wage is around €190,000.Joining Andrea to discuss if this is necessary is Senator Mary Seery Kearney, Clinical Psychotherapist, Stephanie Regan, Green Party TD Steven Matthews and more.

For this week’s Ask the Expert, Andrea Gilligan is joined by Andrew Dunne, a Physiotherapist and Founder of Personal Health - Medical Exercise Clinic, to answer any of your physiotherapy questions!

It’s Love Donegal Day! Andrea’s second favourite day of the year after Christmas!What’s not to love? The beautiful beaches, the beautiful scenery, the beautiful people?!Perhaps the most loveable thing is their way of speaking. So, where does some of this Donegal slang come from?Andrea is joined by Grace Shields, owner of Social Scene PR & Marketing and Hotelier Noel Cunningham to discuss.Image: Discover Ireland

Sabrina Carpenter’s new album has raised some eyebrows for its “sexy” nature, with many parents disapproving of the former Disney Channel star’s explicit adult content.But, is it time we stopped expecting young stars to be role models?To discuss, Andrea is joined by Saoirse Hanley from the Irish Independent, Lisa O’Sullivan Shaw from @modernirishmom and Psychiatrist Brendan Kelly.Image: Island Records

Ireland AM Presenter Alan Hughes and his husband Karl were at the receiving end of homophobic slurs as they walked down Grafton Street last week.Alan joins Andrea to discuss what occurred.

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.Rebecca Shekleton, Presenter of 98fm’s Big Breakfast joined Andrea this week to share all the things to make you smile!Image: Heinz

Officials from the Board of the new National Children's Hospital are being questioned by an Oireachtas Health Committee today.It comes as the contractor BAM has moved the completion date for the hospital, originally due to open in 2020, 14 times.The completion cost is now estimated to be over €2.2 billion.How has this been allowed to happen?To discuss, Andrea is joined by Kirsty Blake Knox, Journalist with the Irish Independent, Bernard Mulvany from Access For All Ireland and Anna Gunning, CEO of Children in Hospital Ireland.

Welcome to The Pod Squad!We review podcasts every Tuesday so you always have something new to listen to.This week, Andrea was joined by Ciara O’Brien, Irish Times Business and Technology Correspondent and Broadcaster Padraig Wilson to review Julia Louis-Dreyfus’ ‘Wiser than Me’!Image: Lemonada

The ultimate in comfort TV returns tonight as 12 bakers take to the tent in the Great British Bake Off, but what has made it such a favourite amongst TV viewers?Andrea is joined by former contestant Rebecca Lightbody and Graham Herterich, aka ‘The Cupcake Bloke’, to discuss.Image: Channel 4

The Israeli military has said it hit dozens of Hezbollah targets in several areas of southern Lebanon overnight.Yesterday, Israeli air strikes killed at least 492 people, including 35 children, the health ministry said, marking the deadliest day of cross-border violence since the Gaza war began.A spokesperson for the Defence Forces has confirmed that all Irish soldiers currently deployed in Lebanon are “safe and accounted for”. But, should we be worried for their safety in future?Andrea is joined by Senator Tom Clonan, Security analyst, Retired Army Officer, Independent Senator and Dorcha Lee Retired Army Colonel and Peacekeeper and Raymond Murphy, Professor at the Irish Centre For Human Rights to discuss.

Cork’s water issues are unfortunately continuing - and a listener calls into the show to give their experience.John Howard from the Ballyhooly Community Council as well as Cllr Nelius Cotter join Andrea to discuss the water issues they are having in Ballyhooly in Cork.

This year on Lunchtime Live we’ve been looking at things that we can do in order to make ourselves that bit happier and healthier.This week, Andrea is joined by Liam Irwin from https://thehotboxsauna.ie/ to learn about the benefits of the sauna!

Plans for a crackdown on motorists who have held provisional licences for years, and sometimes decades, have been delayed over fears of a knock-on effect on waiting lists for driving tests.A briefing from the Department of Transport said any dramatic change on how many learner permits a person could hold would lead to “a surge of applications” for driving tests on an ‘already overburdened testing system”.Figures from the Road Safety ­Authority show more than 67,000 drivers are on their third learner permit or later.Is this the right approach by the Department?To discuss, Andrea is joined by Brenda Bolger from the Bolger School of Motoring, as well as listeners.

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

Apparently, Ireland is seeing a rise in bed bugs.And the surge we’re seeing is expected to last until Christmas. So, where has this come from?Andrea is joined by Trevor Hayden from Complete Pest Control to discuss.

Should parking at universities be phased out to help us reach climate targets? Under the State’s Public Sector Climate Action mandate, universities will be required to phase out the use of car parking for most staff and students in areas where there is a range of public transport options.What do you think of this?To discuss, Andrea is joined by Miranda Bauer, President of the UCD Student Union, Fine Gael Cllr Alan Tobin, Brian Caulfield, Professor in Transportation in the Dept of Civil Engineering in Trinity College Dublin and more to discuss.

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. It’s something none of us want to think of, but luckily, there are great charities like Childhood Cancer Ireland to help us if this ever darkens our door.One area not covered on the show before is what it’s like for families after treatment.To discuss, Andrea is joined by Dr Mairead Brennan, Principal Clinical Psychologist and Director of Psychosocial Services at Childhood Cancer Ireland as well as parents who have had to bring their children through treatment.

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 great breakfast ideas, from smoothies to muffins!Follow the hashtag #LLBigBatch for all our recipes.

Are you working from home at the moment?Staff who only want to work from home face the prospect of lower pay and benefits, as employers increasingly favour getting back to pre-Covid work practices.55% of Irish employers have said they were “very likely” to introduce different pay and benefits for people who attended the office regularly compared to those who worked completely remotely.What do you think about this idea?To discuss, Andrea is joined by Larissa Feeney, Founder and CEO of Kinore, Ireland's First Online Remote-First Finance and Business Services Firm, John Evoy, General Manager of Grow Remote, Caroline Reidy from the HR Suite and more.

Every Friday, as part of our ‘Ask Me Anything’ series, we put your questions to people from interesting backgrounds or working in different careers.    This week, Andrea Gilligan was joined by OnlyFans creator Meghan O’Neill to answer your questions.