Lunchtime Live

It's Throwback Thursday, where we look back on things that happened this week in history. 98fm’s Ciaran O’Connor joined Andrea Gilligan to rewind the clock.

The UK health service has found success in getting obese men to lose weight by paying them up to £400. A trial found men were more likely to slim down if motivated by a cash prize from the NHS. Experts hope the scheme would pay for itself through savings on treating weight-related illness further down the line. What do you think?  Andrea is joined by Professor Donal O’Shea, HSE Clinical Lead for Obesity, Paul Byrne, Director of Body Byrne Training and listeners to hear their takes.

From how much to put away to when to start for this week’s Ask the Expert, we’re putting your pension questions to Paul Kenny, Ireland’s former Pensions Ombudsman and Course Leader with the Retirement Planning Council of Ireland.

Weight loss drugs such as Ozempic are apparently being sold on the black market, causing huge concerns amongst the medical community. Pharmacist Kate O’Connell joins Andrea to discuss the drug - and why the illegal sales are an issue.Image: Novo Medlink

E-scooters are to be banned for people under the age of 16 soon. This comes alongside new regulations like a 20km speed limit, seats being banned and a ban for passengers on scooters.What do you think of these new rules? Do you agree with all of them?Andrea is joined by listeners to hear their takes.

Mairead Anderson, owner of Killybegs Seafood Shack, has been informed that she has to cease trading on the 22nd of May to make way for a new bus stop in town. She joins Andrea to discuss why this is happening.

Should there be stricter rules around dress codes in workplaces? Or, have we completely lost the run of ourselves in what we’re wearing to work? The Home Show’s Sinead Ryan certainly thinks so, and joins Andrea alongside Stylist and Fashion Journalist Laura Mullet 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.  Today FM’s Cathal O’Sullivan joined Andrea in the studio to put a smile on your faces…

Should the Leaving Cert exams be scrapped in favour of something different? Is there a better way for teenagers to learn? Labour Education & Justice Spokesperson Aodhan O’Riordan says that it should be abolished. He joins Andrea alongside listeners to discuss.

Welcome to The Pod Squad! We’ll review podcasts every Tuesday so you’ll have something new to listen to.  Andrea was joined by host of the ‘For Tech’s Sake’ podcast, Elaine Burke and Dave Hanratty, host of the ‘No Encore’ podcast to review Richard Osman and Marina Hyde’s ‘The Rest is Entertainment’.Image: Goalhanger Podcasts

The founder of dating app Bumble Whitney Wolfe Herd has said that the future of dating is having your AI date other people's AI, and recommend the best matches for you to meet! Would you love this? Or loathe it?Andrea is joined by Irish Matchmaking and Dating Specialist, Mairead Loughman, to discuss.

It’s Lyme disease awareness month: Lyme disease is a bacterial infection that can be spread to humans by infected ticks. It's usually easier to treat if it's diagnosed early. There’s thought to be between 50 and 100 cases in Ireland every year – but how much do we really know about it? Andrea is joined by listeners as well as  Professor Jack Lambert, Consultant in Infectious Diseases at the Mater to learn more.

Fr Patsy Lynch has been a priest for over 50 years, and he spent 31 of those as a missionary in Ghana. However, when he applied for his pension, he was told that he was not entitled to a state pension.  Fr Patsy joins Andrea to discuss his situation.

This year Andrea Gilligan is determined to make some changes and become that bit healthier!Over the next few weeks Andrea will be joined by a number of different people to find out how they live well.Andrea was joined by Jessica Ahern from The Salt Rooms Ratoath to discuss the benefits of salt therapy.

Dublin City Council says it is working on “technical solutions” to address “inappropriate behaviour” by some on the newly installed Dublin-New York portal.  The two-way live-stream portal, which offers a real-time glimpse of New York City, was installed on North Earl Street, looking on to the Spire, last week.  It was temporarily closed after video clips surfaced on social media platforms showing individuals in Dublin holding up videos on their phones of the Twin Towers burning on 9/11, with other people flashing body parts or making offensive gestures. Are you surprised by this behaviour? Andrea is joined by listeners to hear their takes. 

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

Have you tried dipping your cheese in your morning coffee? Well, it might be the new foodie hit in 2024. Joining Andrea to discuss are Kevin Sheridan from Sheridan’s Cheese and Dee Laffan, freelance journalist and Editor-in-Chief at ScoopMagazine.

Following the success of Netflix’s Baby Reindeer, a spotlight has been put on stalking and how being a victim of it can affect you. Jarlath Rice is one of those victims, who was even physically assaulted by his stalker. He joins Andrea to share his story… If you find that you might be a victim of stalking, or want to learn more about the signs, visit https://www.stalkinginireland.ie

Lunchtime Live listener Aaron got in touch with the show to talk about an issue in his daughter’s school: the roof has been leaking for almost a year, leaving many of the rooms out of use due to the water running through them. Most of the students are in wheelchairs.Andrea is also joined by Antonia Maguire, Principal of Fermoy Educate Together National School, to discuss how they do not have the space for Special Needs classes, leaving them no choice but to teach in hallways.

This is Lunchtime Live’s Big Batch. Every Monday we’ll be learning new easy to cook batch recipes from Cook Book Author and Recipe writer Sarah Butler to keep you eating well. No more staring into an open fridge looking for inspiration! This week Andrea and Sarah looked at the perfect recipes for a Communion or Confirmation party - covering everything from nibbles, brownies and beef bourguignon.Follow the hashtag #LLBigBatch for all our recipes.

The minimum legal age for the sale of tobacco will be increased from 18 to 21 under plans due to be approved by Cabinet this week.  It comes amid concerns about a recent plateau in the decline of smoking rates in Ireland.  Do you agree with raising the smoking age? Andrea is joined by listeners to hear their takes.

Every Friday, as part of our ‘Ask Me Anything’ series, we put your questions to people from interesting backgrounds or working in different careers. Andrea Gilligan was joined by Niall Spelman who, until recently served as the second Governor of Wheatfield Prison, to answer all of your questions.

With the Junior and Leaving Cert exams just a few weeks away, many students are turning to TikTok for study tips and advice. Has this trend changed how we learn? We speak to three Irish teachers who are making a big impact on #StudyTok to discuss their strategies and how social media is transforming exam prep.Stacy Stout has amassed over 12K followers on TikTok, becoming the go-to source for Leaving Cert history study tips and exciting topics like the first-ever moon landing @missstoutshistoryclassKatie Lenehan If you're looking for tips for international language exams, TikTok creator Katie, a French and Spanish teacher, is a must-follow @mslenslanguages1Tadgh O'Donovan, with over 300K followers, this secondary school science teacher is revitalising science for students in Ireland. He offers tips for both Leaving and Junior Cert exams @teachwithtadgh

Andrea was joined by guests to discuss France’s new approach to tackling a decade-long decline in its birth rate. President Emmanuel Macron has introduced a program offering free fertility testing to all 18 to 25-year-olds, including semen analysis and ovarian reserve checks. Is this a measure Ireland should consider adopting?

We've frequently discussed palliative care and elder care on this show, as they often involve challenging and emotional conversations. Simon Chambers, who has created a poignant documentary about his relationship with his elderly uncle, joined Andrea to delve into these topics and share his insights on the responsibilities and burdens of caregiving.

From a Netflix show filming in Ireland to a thatched pub hitting New York – Breakfast briefing Presenter Shane Beatty has some of the stories from around the country that you may have missed this week.

Andrea talks to Irish fans about the dramatic buildup to this year's Eurovision final in Malmö, Sweden. Ireland’s Bambie Thug has secured a spot in the final for the first time since 2018. However, protests in Malmö and outside RTE headquarters back home have overshadowed the event, primarily due to Israel's participation.

‘Dumbphones’ are making a comeback, but would you swap your iPhone for a Nokia 3210?Jess Kelly, Newstalk’s Tech Correspondent joins Andrea to explain why people are going old-school with this new trend.

New research from the ESRI reveals that many people are unaware of the environmental impact their diet can have on climate change. While most are concerned about packaging and imports, emissions from red meat are often overlooked. Andrea chats with listeners and asks the question, could you give up meat to help the environment?

May is melanoma awareness month. Paul Darby joins Andrea to share his experience of finding a small mark on his skin.

It's time for Throwback Thursday, where we look back on things that happened this week in history. Ciaran O’Connor from 98fm joined Andrea Gilligan on Lunchtime Live…

Real-life Martha from Baby Reindeer has been interviewed by Piers Morgan to share her side of the story. The woman who has come forward as the inspiration behind the character, and sits down in a tell-all with Piers Morgan. Andrea is asking people whether it’s a good idea to air it or not. She is joined by Sinead Ryan -Presenter of the Home Show, Dr Caroline West - Sexual Violence &, Harassment Prevention and Response Manager with UCC and a number of callers.

From missing luggage to parking, for this week’s Ask the Expert, we’re putting your Dublin airport questions to Graeme McQueen, Media Relations with the DAA. 

Sea swimming spots around Dublin Bay are being lost due to poor water conditions. But what can be done to save our seas and swimming spots? Andrea is joined Green Party Councillor & Member of the Dollymount Dames Donna Cooney to ask are we neglecting our seas? Image credit: rollingnews.ie 

Welcome to The Pod Squad! We’ll review podcasts every Tuesday so you’ll have something new to listen to.  Andrea was joined by Off the Ball’s Cameron Hill  and Broadcaster Ciara King to review Ed Gamble and James Acaster's podcast.Image credit: Spotify

Over 80 tents are pitched along the inner-city canal in Dublin as asylum seekers having been moved from outside of the International Protection Office to Crooksling in southwest Dublin where capacity is limited.  Andrea went to speak to the people currently living in the tents along the canal and learn more about the situation.  Photo credit: rollingnews.ie 

Take outs over dine ins, watching Netflix rather than going to the cinema and even working from home – have we withdrawn ourselves from society? Journalist Suzanne Kane and Psychiatrist Brendan Kelly joined Andrea to discuss whether people have lost key social skills or if being home makes us happier. 

Politicians risked a €150 fine to secure optimal lamppost positions for their posters in the lead up to the European and Local Elections. Posters are only permitted in public places 30 days before polling and must be removed by June 14th. But do we still need election posters? Andrea was joined by Author and Journalist with the Wexford People, Simon Bourke, and Labour Councillor in Cork, John Maher, to discuss.  Image credit: rollingnews.ie 

Ballroom and Latin dancing schools in Ireland are seeing class numbers soar with more people eager to learn a step or two. Andrea is joined by the President of DanceSport Federation of Ireland, Tommy Shaughnessy and professional dancer Karen Byrne to ask why is there a sudden interest to break out the dancing shoes. 

Asylum seekers living in tents outside of the International Protection Office were moved to Crooksling in southwest Dublin however over 80 tents are now pitched along the capitals canal. To discuss what should be done about the tents in Dublin, Andrea is joined by Labour Party Councillor Dermot Lacey, Green Party Councillor Hazel Chu, local businesspeople and residents.

Ahead of the opening night of Eurovision 2024, excitement is high for the fans eager to see the production of this year's song contest in Malmö. Andrea is joined by Newstalk Reporter Henry McKean live from Malmo in Sweden and superfans of the competition to discuss what’s in store. Image credit: Corinne Cumming/EBU

This year Andrea Gilligan is determined to make some changes and become that bit healthier! Over the next few weeks Andrea will be joined by a number of different people to find out how they live well. Andrea was joined by Beekeeper Aoife Mac Giolla Coda, from Galtee Honey Farm to learn what the buzz is about.

Former Ireland and Ulster rugby player Paddy Jackson has expressed concern over the planned television dramatisation of the controversial ­Belfast rape trial. Jackson was found not guilty of rape in 2018 by a Belfast Court which was intensely covered by the media. But should television entertainment inspired by serious cases be made? Andrea is joined by Barrister and Journalist Aileen Hickie.

Every Friday, as part of our ‘Ask Me Anything’ series, we put your questions to people from interesting backgrounds or working in different careers.    Andrea Gilligan was joined by Charles Coyle, Managing Director of Emerald Park, to answer all of your questions.

We previously spoke to Trinity college students who were protesting at the Book of Kells over a proposal to increase some programme costs. In an update, Trinity College Dublin Students’ Union have been issued a €214k fine by the College for financial losses incurred by disruptive protests by the union throughout the year. Andrea is joined by Ellen Kenny, Deputy Editor with Trinity News  and László Molnárfi, President of Trinity College Dublin Students’ Union to hear their reactions.

Funeral notice website RIP.ie has been acquired by the Irish Times Group. RIP.ie generates 60 million page views a month as people visit the site for information on funeral arrangements, or just to keep up with who has died.     That makes it, pretty consistently, one of the most popular websites in the country.  Are Irish people obsessed with death? Why is the site so popular?Andrea is joined by Brid McGowan of McGowan’s Funeral Directors, Paul Claffey, Managing Director and Broadcaster with Midwest Radio and Iseult White, Psychotherapist and Author to hear their takes.

With, hopefully, good weather on the way it might finally be the time to crack out the BBQ!Andrea is joined by John Relihan, Head Pitmaster at PittBros BBQ with tips and tricks to get the best out of your barbeque.

From a Buddhist centre in Tipperary, to a no fly zone over Laois: Newstalk’s Eamonn Torsney has the stories from around the country that you might have missed this week.

Secondary schools are apparently completely reliant on parental contributions to stop going into deficit. The average cost of the ‘voluntary’ contributions are around €101 per year at primary level, and €140 at secondary level. Nationally, the Department of Education estimates that these contributions are worth about €30 million a year. So, should they be needed at all? Andrea is joined by INTO General Secretary John Boyle, Simon Lewis, principal and host of the ‘If I was Minister for Education’ podcast as well as listeners to hear their opinions. 

How should you get your patio area ready for the summer? Hardware Expert Alan Grant and Róisín Lafferty, founder and creative director of Kingston Lafferty Design join Andrea with their tips and tricks.