Lunchtime Live

A new survey carried out by the Disabled Drivers Association of Ireland shows that the fear of physical and verbal abuse and their own safety were among the top reasons for not approaching somebody parked illegally in accessible parking bays.What has your experience been? Is enough done to stomp out illegal parking? Andrea is joined by Richard Ryder of the Disabled Drivers Association as well as callers to discuss.

It seems like every time you open a newspaper, switch on the radio or watch the news we are hearing about Artificial Intelligence. It is something which will increasingly shape our future and, with that in mind, we’re kicking off AI Week – here on Lunchtime Live.  Each day this week, at this time, we'll dive deep into the world of artificial intelligence, exploring how AI is shaping our lives, from the apps on our phones to the way we work and interact with the world around us.  Joining Andrea to demonstrate some of the things which AI is capable of at the moment is Newstalk’s Technology Correspondent, Jess Kelly.

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 Aoife Comerford from Glovers Alley to look at batch cooking desserts like chocolate chip cookies and pineapple upside down cake - the perfect thing to quickly heat up if you need a quick treat or want to impress a guest!Follow the hashtag #LLBigBatch for all our recipes.

Jason Poole has been on the show before and he’s told us about what his family has been through after the murder of his sister Jennie.The trauma doesn’t seem to end as her tragedy is now being used to scam the public. Jason joins Andrea to explain.

Every Friday, as part of our ‘Ask Me Anything’ series, we put your questions to people from interesting backgrounds or working in different jobs.  Today, Andrea Gilligan was joined by Cathy Tolan, who has been a train driver for the last three years with Iarnród Éireann.

This weekend Andrea will be hitting the road heading for Wicklow and Leitrim in her Volkswagen Campervan. To fill us in on all things camping, she's joined by Jason Carmody, Chairperson of the Irish Motorhome Working Group,  Aaron Birchill from theCharlieandMe YouTube Channel & Camping Crew Podcast and Mika Jansen, Manager at The Camping Hub Facility in Graiguenamanagh, Kilkenny. 

Anti-migration protestors turned up at the house of integration minister Roderic O’Gorman’s house last night. In footage shared on social media, protestors erected banners with anti-immigration slogans and masked men could also be seen appearing to stop a car from turning onto the street. Gardai were present at the scene but no arrests were made.  What should be done about abuse outside politicians' homes? Andrea is joined by Neasa Hourigan Green Party TD, Gary Gannon, Social Democrats TD and more to discuss.

How do you properly hang something on a wall? Hardware Expert Alan Grant and Sarah Louise of Sarah Louise Interiors join Andrea with their tips and tricks. 

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... 

GAA president Jarlath Burns has said a return to September All-Ireland finals is possible, but only if counties were willing to adopt uniformity in their own club championships.  Speaking to GAAGO's new 'Ratified' discussion forum he said the different formats in counties made it too great a challenge to develop a master fixtures plan that finished in September.  What do you think? Would you like to see the All-Ireland final return to September?  Joining Andrea to discuss is Off the Ball’s Eoin Sheehan. 

From intermittent fasting to how much coffee is too much, dietitian Orla Walsh is with Andrea to answer your questions.

We’ve all done it - flicked endlessly through the whole of Netflix, Apple TV and Disney for what feels like hours only to end up with absolutely nothing.Apparently we are wasting roughly half an hour every day deciding what to watch! That’s three and a half hours a week! Andrea is joined by Pop Culture and Entertainment expert Deirdre Molumby and journalist with The Irish Sun, Nicola Bardon to talk about why we’re spoilt for choice.

Do we place enough importance on our green spaces?  Are there enough facilities for children to play where you are living? Residents of Tullybrook, a housing development on the outskirts of Drogheda are concerned that there is nowhere for their children to play safely. For over 130 houses and units there is just one tiny playground which is only suitable for very young children.  Andrea speaks with listeners about the issue.

We’ve been talking a lot recently about the issues with hospitals, GPs and the HSE in general. A lot of people seem to be concerned about healthcare in this country. Donna Marie has gotten in touch to share her story with the system.

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...

What's your experience with public transport? Almost 75 percent of bus and train drivers in Ireland have witnessed drug use or abuse behaviour several times a month. Siptu officials, along with members of the union working with Dublin Bus, Irish Rail and Luas services will be speaking to the joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications later today. Andrea is joined by multiple people working in the transport industry to share their stories.

Welcome to The Pod Squad!We’ll review podcasts every Tuesday so you’ll have something new to listen to. Andrea was joined by broadcaster Ciara King and Newstalk’s Laura Donnelly to discuss Charlotte Church’s ‘Kicking Back with the Cardiffians’. Image: BBC

Medical Experts say that bras are a basic necessity that should be exempt from VAT. But will they get the support? Andrea is joined by Sinead Sanderson, underwear expert and owner of Peaches & Cream to discuss.

John Gibbons, environmental journalist and commentator proposed an idea that flights should steadily get more expensive the more a person flies. He joins Andrea to discuss what impacts that may have. Listeners also give their thoughts.

Nike revealed their Olympic Uniform for Team USA and there has been lots of commentary on the women’s uniform, and in particular how small it is. Lots of people commenting that the female gear is one step forward and two steps backwards when it comes to equality. Irish Olympian Catherina McKiernan joins Andrea to discuss.Image: CITIUS MAG

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 Aidan Carroll, owner of the Hard Target Self Defence Academy and instructor Oriana Leong to discuss how important it is to know how to defend yourself.

Taoiseach Simon Harris has said that people of his generation know Europe better than the North of Ireland. Needless to say, quite a few people weren’t happy about it. Andrea is joined by Newstalk Chief Reporter Barry Whyte as well as callers to give their takes.

Andrea Gilligan was joined on Lunchtime Live by Dr Niall Breen from Portmarnock GP Clinic to answer listeners' health queries and questions...

Today FM Rocks presenter Ed Smith joins Andrea today to look at some of the best music festivals to go to this summer.

From Boil water notices to brown water - why do we have so many problems with our mains water? Corkman John Ó Ríordáin talks about his water quality problems with Andrea. Cllr. Brian McCarthy and more also join the show to speak on the issue.

Andrew Scott has praised his fellow actor Paul Mescal for being a ‘wonderful friend’.  The two bonded when making the film ‘All Of Us Strangers’ and it made us think…Do we celebrate male friendships enough? We often talk about female friendships and how we’d all be lost without our women. But what about the men? Newstalk’s Colm Boohig and more join the show to give Andrea their takes.

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 Aoife Comerford from Glovers Alley to look at batch cooking breakfast foods like muffins to make the start of your day that bit easier.Follow the hashtag #LLBigBatch for all our recipes.

We have seen large increases in healthcare funding and staffing in recent years – but this has not led to an improvement in our healthcare system. A report drawn up by personnel in the Irish Government Economic Evaluation Service and the Department of Health says the health budget has risen from €13.7 billion in 2014 to €22.8 billion in 2024 and that more than 50,000 additional healthcare staff have been employed Why are we not getting the return for our investment?  We hear different experiences with the system from people calling in.

Every Friday, as part of our ‘Ask Me Anything’ series, we put your questions to people from interesting backgrounds or working in different jobs.  Today, Andrea Gilligan was joined by Private Investigator Liam A Brady, from Special Investigation Bureau Éire.

Fine Gael TD Ciaran Cannon has announced that he won’t be running for reelection. He says that a  climate of abuse and harassment online is now “one of the main reasons” why some TDs are leaving politics. Ciaran joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live today...

A recent study has found that parents who act aggressively on the sidelines of their child’s sports games are more likely to influence their children to take part in antisocial behaviour towards both their teammates and opponents. Andrea was joined by parents to discuss...

Every day we scour the newspapers but often, many great stories from the regional papers don’t make the headlines.Newstalk's Breakfast Briefing presenter Shane Beatty has rounded up some of the best stories that you might have missed... 

OJ Simpson, the former NFL player, who is probably more famous for his part in one of the most notorious criminal trials in 20th century America died yesterday. The murder trial captivated the world – with people tuning in daily to watch it. But why did it grab everyone’s attention so much?Andrea Gilligan was joined by Larry Donnelly, Law Lecturer in University of Galway, Comedian Jim Elliot and many others to discuss...

How do you make your hallway a fitting entrance to your house? Hardware Expert Alan Grant  and Arlene McIntyre from Arlene McIntrye designs join Andrea with their tips and tricks. 

Listener Brigid Timmons got in touch, she runs the company Good Grief, and says the rules aren’t fair for single people and she wants change.

Listener Eleanor got in touch with the show. Her son was bullied in school – when his two brothers defended him, they were accused of bullying. 

Retired rugby star Rob Kearney may have ruffled some feathers when he said that his wedding day wasn't even in the top ten best days of his life. Do men and women have different attitudes, experiences and expectations of their big day?

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... 

From making a will to disputing one – we’re putting your questions to Solicitor Susan Murphy from Makemywill.ie

The Government will establish a Cabinet Committee on Children and Education and Disability, Harris has said.   “This is about breaking down silos across Government and making change happen more quickly,” he said.    “We are determined to bring new coherence and faster progress on solving the issues that matter most to people with disabilities.” 

Whether its little bottles of shampoo or a pair of slippers – we’re all guilty of taking things from hotels – but where do you draw the line? 

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.  Newstalk’s own Cathal O’Sullivan joined Andrea in studio to put a smile on your faces...

Should we be teaching children that it is alright to fight back if they are being bullied?  Dr David Coleman, Clinical Psychologist, writing in the Irish Independent today argues: When it comes to a child being physically attacked, or physically bullied, my advice has always been to give that child permission to defend themselves. Hitting back shows the aggressor that a child is not an easy target.   What do you think?  

Simon Harris has been confirmed as Taoiseach by the Dáil.Mr Harris was nominated as Taoiseach by the Dáil with a majority vote of 88 to 69 after he was proposed by Fine Gael and supported by Fianna Fáil, the Green Party and a number of independents.Mairead Ronan was joined by Craig Hughes, Political Correspondent with the Irish Daily Mail and Kevin Doyle, Group Head of News at Mediahuis to discuss..

Have you ever grieved the life you had before you had children? Comedian Katherine Ryan has spoken about how she loves her kids but thinks they 'ruined' the life she used to have – can you relate? Or do you feel you can even speak openly about it? Mairead Ronan was joined by journalist Chrissie Russell, Aileen Hickie, CEO of Parentline, Newstalk's Henry McKean and Siobhan O'Neill-White to discuss...

This year, we are determined to make some changes and become that bit healthier! Over the next few weeks we will be joined by a number of different people to find out how they live well.Mairead Ronan was joined by Kim and Lyn, founders of 'A Sorted Affair' to discuss...

Parts of the quays in Dublin City centre will close to cars from August. Bus gates at Bachelors Walk and Aston Quay will be the first measures of the council's new Transport Plan to be introduced.  This will mean only public transport, taxis, pedestrians and cyclists will be allowed to use the route. A ban on cars turning left from Westland Row onto Pearse Street will also kick in in August in a bid to cut the number of motorists driving through the city. Mairead Ronan was joined by listeners to discuss...

Three people died in separate tragedies in Dublin, Wicklow and Cork in the spaces of just 12 hours over the weekend.  So far this year the death toll from Irish roads stands at 61 – which is 45% higher than the rate from the same time period last year.  Are we going backwards when it comes to road safety?  Mairead Ronan was joined by Susan Gray, founder of PARC road safety campaign group and others to discuss...

A new survey has shown that the most valued skill for a parent is Patience. Also on the list are Responsibility, showing affection and time management.Do you think it’s the most important skill? Can you learn patience?  Mairead Ronan was joined by Brendan Kelly, Psychiatrist, Keith Walsh, Podcaster and Broadcaster and Ollwyn Moran Neuro Developmental Therapist & Founder of COGNI Kids to discuss...

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 Mairead Ronan and Sarah looked at some more handy meals for batch cooking...Follow the hashtag #LLBigBatch for all our recipes.