Lunchtime Live

Millions of Americans tuned in to watch the Super Bowl on Sunday, but many were more likely to be watching Taylor Swift than the game.Alexandra Ryan, CEO of Goss.ie and Gina London, leadership communications expert and Sunday Independent columnist joined Andrea to discuss...

Aimee Campbell was diagnosed with functional neurological disorder (FND) in 2017. The condition has left her paralysed in 3 limbs.  She’s now 28 and her application for assistance at home was denied by the HSE. Aimee joined Andrea Gilligan on Lunchtime Live today...

More than 31,000 people were waiting to take their driving test in Dublin at the end of January, according to new figures from the Road Safety Authority. The RSA has previously said “unprecedented” waiting times for tests need to be addressed, but how are drivers coping with this wait? Andrea was joined by Tara, Lea and Brenda Bolger from the Bolger School of Motoring in Kilkenny...

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 recipes for Fluffy Pancakes...Follow the hashtag #LLBigBatch for all our recipes.

A new advertising campaign is hoping to encourage Irish construction workers living abroad to return home to help with the housing crisis. The Government are hoping it’ll help increase the supply of homes in Ireland. The plan will aim at cities like London, Sydney and New York to see what incentives they might need to move home to Ireland. Andrea was joined by Barry in New Zealand, Damien in Perth and Ciaran Breen from Ciaran Breen Construction to discuss...

Every Friday, as part of our ‘Ask Me Anything’ series, we put your questions to people from interesting background or working in different jobs.  Today on the show Andrea was joined by former jockey Jamie Codd on Lunchtime Live...

Despite the countless number of sports in Ireland – interest in American Football seems to be on the rise.  Things are gearing up for the 2024 showdown on Sunday between the Kansas City Chiefs and The San Francisco 49ers. Andrea was joined by Shane Brady, South Dublin Panthers player, Cian Fahey from Off The Ball and Greg Johnson, Star Player wiht Dublin Rebels Club and Club Committee member & Social Media Manager...

What is life like after a conviction? How easy is it to leave prison and rejoin society? I’m joined now by Damien Quinn, founder of the charity Spéire Nua, which helps offenders re-integrate in society after serving time in prison and Joe Garrihy, Assistant Professor in Criminology in Maynooth University, specialising in Prison Life...

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... 

Would you be happy for the TV License fee to come out of your tax? Tánaiste Micheál Martin has said that his preference would be for the fee to be collected through Revenue rather than the current system.  Andrea was joined by listeners to discuss...

Looking for some new floors without spending a fortune? Architect Roisin Murphy and Hardware Expert Alan Grant joined Andrea with some tricks of the trade to give you a fresh kitchen without the cost...

Anna, a listener, got in touch because of something her daughter is going through. Anna and Lynda Duffy, a therapist specialising in eating disorders and who has also overcome an eating disorder herself, joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live today... 

A man, aged in his 40s, died in a hospital in the Dublin and Midlands health region after contracting measles. He had recently travelled here from England.Andrea was joined by Dr Nina Byrnes to discuss why have they come back, and what should we be doing about it? 

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... 

There have been calls for Norma Foley to scrap the exemptions given for learning Irish. The Oireachtas Committee says that the number of exemptions is “harming” the Irish education system.  Is it fair for those with learning difficulties such as dyslexia and anxiety to be forced to study Irish?  Andrea was joined by Aindrias Moynihan, Fianna Fail TD, Barbara Ennis, Principal of Alexandra College in Dublin and others to discuss...

The Ireland’s women basketball team is set to go ahead with their game against Israel tomorrow despite calls for a boycott from a number of the squad members due to the ongoing war with Gaza.  Andrea was joined by Rebecca O’Keeffe, a former player, activist and author, Barry Lennon, Basketball Correspondent for the Irish Independent and more to discuss...

Many people have notions on how they wish to decorate their homes. However, when the time comes, do people push the boundaries on bold designs or do they opt to play it safe instead? To discuss the regrets people have made when designing their homes and how to ensure you are not one of those people, Andrea was joined by Creative Director of Ventura Design, Arlene McIntyre...

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...

Last September, The Temple Street Children’s hospital came under fire after several children were affected by complications after their spinal surgeries. The long waiting lists have since increased. During this time Andrea spoke to Stephen Morrison, whose son Harvey, has Spina Bifida. They were just a few of the many affected by the long orthopaedic waiting lists.  Today, Harvey's mum, Gillian Sherratt joined Andrea Gilligan on Lunchtime Live.Aaron and Edel are both parents in similar situations and they joined Andrea on the show today too...

Writing in todays Irish Examiner, Terry Prone, Chairman of the Communications Clinic detailed her experience of going under the knife to as she says to ‘iron out the creases’ – but why has she done it? And what has people’s reactions been? Terry joined Andrea Gilligan on Lunchtime Live to discuss...

Have you struggled to get a GP recently? A study by the Irish Independent shows that More than two out of three GPs in rural Ireland are not taking on new patients and some have waiting times of up to two weeks for an appointment. Andrea was joined by Gerry Loftus, leader of the Rural Ireland Organisation, Fianna Fáil Councillor Norma Moriarty and listeners to discuss...

Former Taoiseach John Bruton has died.  The 76-year-old Fine Gael politician died peacefully in the Mater Private Hospital in Dublin, surrounded by his family, after a long illness.  John Bruton led Fine Gael from 1990 until 2001, and served as Taoiseach between December 1994 and June 1997 as head of the ‘rainbow coalition’ alongside Labour and Democratic Left. Andrea was joined by Ivan Yates, Broadcaster, Former TD and Minister for Agriculture and Nora Owen Former TD and Minister for Justice to discuss...

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.Lukas Kinlock, owner of Cuan Ice Baths joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live today...

A recent survey shows that 25% of six year olds have their own phone and 45% of 10 year olds are allowed to use their smartphones in their bedroom. However many parents admitted to not feeling well-equipped to teach their kids how to stay safe online. Should there be more of an onus on parents to learn how to teach their children how to navigate their smartphones safely? Andrea was joined by Siobhan O’Neill-White, From Mams.ie, Ollwyn Moran, Neuro Developmental Therapist & Founder of COGNI Kids and others to discuss...

Every Friday, as part of our ‘Ask Me Anything’ series, we put your questions to people from interesting background or working in different jobs.  Today on the show Andrea was joined by former jockey Jamie Codd on Lunchtime Live...

Doctors in the UK are saying that women should be allowed buy the morning-after pill in supermarkets and petrol stations. They rection it’ll give them more control and that all barriers to emergency contraception should be removed. At the moment you need to have a consultation with a pharmacist in the UK, the same as here. Andrea was joined by GP Dr Máire Finn, Kathy Maher, Community Pharmacist from Haven Pharmacy in Duleek, Co Meath, Sheena Mitchell, Pharmacist in Milltown Total Health Pharmacy in Dublin and Columnist with the Irish Times, Brianna Parkins...

Tanya Sweeney wrote in the Independent today about the transition to ‘mum friends’ after having children. She writes that her new friends have not seen her drunk or even after 7pm! Does friendship change after having children?  Journalist Tanya Sweeney and other listeners joined Andrea 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... 

Do your children play rugby? Some sports experts in the UK are saying that rugby in schools is a form of child abuse and that parents don’t understand the huge risk of brain injury to their children. Is child abuse too strong a term? Andrea was joined by Professor Eric Anderson, Professor of Sport at the University of Winchester, Former Ireland and Leinster player Shane Byrne and Liam Morley Brereton, coach at St Bridget’s Boxing Club, Edenderry to discuss...

Looking for some new doors and windows without spending a fortune? Architect Roisin Murphy and Hardware Expert Alan Grant joined Andrea with some tricks of the trade to give you a fresh kitchen without the cost...

We’ve teamed up with Laya Healthcare to explore wellbeing in the workplace. Today Andrea was joined by Dr Siobahn Chidley, GP with Watermills Family Practice in Kildare. The Laya Healthcare Workplace Wellbeing Index, available at layahealthcare.ie/wellbeingindex. Keep your finger on the pulse.

How serious a problem is cocaine in GAA?  Experts are claiming that the use of cocaine has “gone through the roof at club level” while dozens of inter-county players are being treated for drugs, alcohol and gambling issues. Is it an issue in your club? Are we doing enough to deal with it? Andrea was joined by GAA refereee Pat Byrne O'Connell, Shane Cassells, Fianna Fail Senator and others to discuss...

Last week Andrea was joined by Gayle on Lunchtime Live. Gayle cares for her 22-year-old son Luca full time in their home.  She is hoping for more help for people like herself and her son.Fine Gael Senator Mary Seery Kearney spoke about Gayle's story in the Seanad yesterday and she joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live today... Image: Oireachtas TV

Yesteray, Andrea spoke to Emma, a woman from Donegal whose husband can't gain access to Ireland from South Africa.Andrea was joined on Lunchtime Live today by Albert Llussa, Partner and Head of Immigration and Human Rights at Daly Lynch Crowe & Morris Solicitors to explain Emma’s situation... 

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... 

The deposit return scheme begins today. Cans and plastic bottles will have a 15 cent levy applied and can be taken back to retailers to be recycled.  Will this scheme last or is it an inconvenience to shoppers and retailers? Andrea was joined by listeners and retailers to discuss...

A listener Emma, from Donegal, got in touch to share her incredible story. Emma’s husband Lawson is unable to get permission to enter Ireland from South Africa to see Emma and his children.  Andrea chatted to Emma chatted to Emma today about her story...

Do you let your children use screens? Or have you ever been shaming for denying them screentime? Writing in the Irish Independent today, Emma Armstrong talks about how she is apparently making her kids ‘weird’ by not allowed them to use screen.Emma Armstrong and Siobhan O’Neill White from mams.ie joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live to discuss...

For the first time in the Irish Defence Forces’ history, soldiers will be allowed to have beards while on duty.    It’s one of a few new dress code changes being brought in starting from tomorrow. But does it really matter what members of the Defence Forces look like?Andrea was joined by Kevin Byrne, Retired Lieutenant Colonel and others 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.  Newstalk’s own Cathal O’Sullivan joined Andrea in studio to put a smile on your faces...

Welcome to The Pod Squad!We’ll review podcasts every Tuesday so you’ll have something new to listen to. Andrea was joined by Jess Kelly and Elaine Burke to talk about the podcast Young Hot Guys...Image: Young Hot Guys

Ciara Kelly spoke on Newstalk Breakfast this morning about female pain being dismissed. Is this a common experience for women in Ireland?Andrea was joined by listeners to discuss...

Over in the UK, Scottish Civil Servants have been granted permission to work abroad for one month of the year.  They can log in from anywhere for four months of the year considering there is a genuine reason to do so.  Should we be more lenient with our hybrid working guidelines? Andrea was joined by Caroline Reidy, HR expert, from the HR Suite, Joanne Mangan from Grow Remote and more to discuss...

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.Adam Starr, Principal Teacher at Tara Kadampa Meditation Centre, Dublin joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live today to discuss hillwalking...

Does St. Patrick’s Day make you proud to be Irish?  Lord Mayor of Dublin Daithí de Róiste today launched the St. Patrick's Festival, with the theme announced as SPRÉACH’, or spark, representing the life force, the very essence of our being! Andrea Gilligan was joined by Ian O'Doherty, Columnist with the Irish Independent

Barry Moore, Compliance Manager with BM Logistics joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live today to discuss the impact of migrants boarding trucks on his business...

There are graveyards across the country full of tombstones of all shapes and sizes. Some much larger than others.The larger ones, which are common for members of the travelling community, are apparently causing upset to some, saying it goes too far. Others are saying we need more respect for cultural differences when it comes to honouring our dead. Andrea was joined on Lunchtime Live by Cllr. Michael Connolly, Colm Kieran, Funeral Director, Martin Mahon, traveller rights activist and others to discuss...Image: Find a Grave

Tony Walsh runs local printing business Walsh Colour Print in Kerry. We spoke to him last year about houses that he had built for his staff.Tony joined Andrea again on Lunchtime Live to give an update about the situation...

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 recipes for Air Fryer Pizza Bagels and Crunchy Chewy Rocky Road...Follow the hashtag #LLBigBatch for all our recipes.

An article in the Irish Daily Mail has revealed truckers around the country have been offered up to €25k to smuggle illegal migrants. Wexford TD Verona Murphy has said it is up to the authorities where the ferries depart to tighten up on these gangs.   Andrea was joined on Lunchtime Live by Verona Murphy, Ger Hyland President of the Irish Road Haulage Association and other truck drivers to discuss...