Lunchtime Live

Greece has introduced a cap on the cost of baby formula. A 7% profit cap on formula will take effect in March and follows a series of similar initiatives over the past two years for basic items. Andrea was joined by Dr Liz O’Sullivan, lecturer in nutrition at the TU Dublin and member of Baby Feeding Law Group Ireland and other listeners to discuss...

Are cheaper energy prices on the way? Yuno has now joined SSE Airtricity and Pinergy in announcing two reductions in their tariffs in the past few months – so will other providers be forced to follow? Daragh Cassidy from Bonkers.ie joined Andrea to answer listeners questions...

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... 

Have you been hit by probate issues when buying or selling a house? Solicitors are warning that home sales are falling through because grants of probate are taking up to 22 weeks. Andrea was joined by listeners and experts in the field to discuss...

Dublin is now the second slowest city in the world for drivers.  The average time to travel 10 kilmetres in Dublin is 29 minutes and 30 seconds.  Despite ranking second in terms of time spent travelling 10km, Dublin ranked first in terms of congestion – with the company’s analysis suggesting the city has a 66% congestion level. Andrea was joined by listeners and commuters to discuss...

New advice out today says that children and adults should take Vitamin D supplements every day til mid-March. We hear so much about different supplements and it’s hard to know which advice you should pay attention to, and what to ignore. Andrea was joined by Registered Dietician Orla Walsh to discuss...

We have made a new year’s resolution on the show this year to look on the brighter side of life.  Our new item Lunchtime Live's Reasons to be Happy, will look at some of the news stories that you might have missed that will leave you feeling more optimistic.  As the cold snap continues, it's pretty gloomy outside and now more than ever we need a reason to be happy!   Newstalk’s own Cathal O’Sullivan joined Andrea in studio to put a smile on your faces.... 

Have you attended a women’s sports event? Well if not, you’re not alone. New Research by LIDL and Red C show that almost 60% of Irish people have never attended a live women's sporting event in this country while almost half (46%) saying that men’s sport is generally better to watch. Andrea was joined by Alanna Cunnane, Sports journalist and listeners to discuss...

Pope Francis has called for a global ban on surrogacy, saying it’s "deplorable" and a grave violation of the dignity of the woman and the child. Andrea Gilligan was joined by Senator Mary Seery Kearney and others to discuss...  

How should we market Ireland abroad? From the 10 year anniversary of the wild Atlantic way to Ireland being the home of Halloween -Tourism Ireland are launching their plans to attract visitors to Ireland in 2024 – how do you think we should focus on?  Andrea was joined by Eugene Garrihy, Dublin Bay Cruises, Chris McCarthy, Manager of Achill Tourism and Senator Roisin Garvey to discuss...

A Dublin city centre laneway that is known for drug use, violence and anti-social behaviour is being shut to the public. Dublin city councillors voted to shut Harbour Court to the public because of the issues that they’ve been unable to control.  Andrea was joined by Sinn Féin Councillor for Dublin City, Janice Boylan, Former Lord Mayor and Dublin City Councillor, Hazel Chu and more to discuss...

Coming back after January, 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.Anne Marie Boyhan, Holistic Sleep Expert, founder of the Sleep Care Company and Author of the 'Sleep Journal' joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live today...

Two-year-old Joey from Tullamore has overcome more hurdles in his short life that many people encounter over 50 years. After being diagnosed with a rare condition, his family are now hoping to raise enough money to bring him to America for life changing surgery. Joey’s mother Natalie joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live today...

Dr Nina Byrnes joined Andrea Gilligan to tackle your medical queries...

A year ago we were contacted by Kate. Kate spoke to us about the issues she was having working in the HSE, which she said was rife with bullying. It kicked off a huge conversation that reached all corners of the country – people rang and emailed in their droves to tell us about their experiences. One year on, Andrea was joined by David Cullianne TD, Sinn Féin's Health Spokesperson and others who joined us last year 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 Andrea and Sarah chatted through recipes for a Seedy Soda Bread and a Use Up Leftover Quiche.Follow the hashtag #LLBigBatch for all our recipes.

Would you like to see some land in parks in Dublin repurposed for housing? That is the suggestion from businessman Paschal Taggart who says that 10% of the capitals 4,500 acres of parks could be used to house up to 80,000 teachers, Gardaí, nurses and firefighters.  Would you be willing to sacrifice greenspace from parts of the Phoenix Park, Marlay Park, Malahide Castle, St Anne’s Park and others if it meant that we could provide housing for key workers?  Andrea was joined by Cllr Dermot Lacey, Labour Cllr for Pembroke on Dublin City Council, John Moran, Former Chair of the Land Development Agency, Hugh Wallace, Director of Douglas Wallace Architects and more 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 Sarah Morrissey, Fashion Model &  Former Miss Ireland...

South African athlete Oscar Pistorius has been released from prison on parole, more than a decade after murdering his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in in 2013.  He served nearly nine years of his 13 years and five months murder sentence for the shotting but will live under strict conditions until the remainder of his sentence expires in December 2029 Some of Pistorius’ parole conditions include restrictions on when he can leave his home, not being able to leave the district he is living in, a ban on consuming alcohol and being subjected to unannounced visits by authorities among others. What do you think about this approach to the justice system? Andrea was joined by Saoirse Brady, Executive Director, Irish Penal Reform Trust , Niall Spelman former prison Governor and John Cuffe, Criminologist, Former Prison Officer & Author...

If you’re feeling broke in January you’ll be glad to hear that there are some changes to wages and benefits that could make this year a little easier. Andrea was joined by Founder of Money Whizz Frank Conway to chat through the changes...

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... 

Agriculture Minister, Charlie McConalogue, has said restaurants and food outlets need to cut down on the amount of food they put on consumers’ plates to reduce waste. According to the EPA food waste costs the average Irish household about €60 a month or €700 a year!  Are our restaurant portion sizes causing too much waste? Andrea was joined by chef and author, JP McMahon, Orla McAndrew Zero Waste Wedding and Event Caterer, Sarah Keogh, Dietician and more to discuss...

Shops like Lidl and Aldi are set to slash their prices over the coming weeks. Aldi said prices had dropped across a range of its products, with the price of a typical trolley set to fall by about a fifth. Lidl will lower the price of 100 products this week, having already reduced the cost of more than 600 since October. Stefanie Preissner was joined by Tim Cullinan IFA President, Damian O’Reilly, a Lecturer in retail management at TU Dublin, Louise Crowley, Full Time Dairy Farmer and Siobhan O'Neill White from Mams.ie to discuss...

We hear a lot in January about getting fit and exercising, but how easy is it really? It can be quite intimidating to go into a gym when you haven’t been in a few months and you don’t feel confident in what you’re doing. So what are the best ways around it? Paul Byrne, Director of Body Byrne Training joined Stefanie Preissner on the show today...

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

Is the NCT fit for purpose? Figures show that nearly half of the 1.5 million cars failed the full NCT test in Ireland last year. What has your experience been with NCT tests? Stefanie Preissner was joined by Joey Donnelly, owner of Crofton Motors in Dublin and other listeners to discuss...

Introducing a new slot for Lunchtime Live – The Pod Squad. We’ll review podcasts every Tuesday so you’ll have something new to listen to. Andrea was joined by Laura Mullet, Journalist and Podcast Enthusiast and Shelly Grey Presenter for Today FM and 98 FM to talk about the podcast The Pact, a courtroom drama... 

From the most popular names in Ireland to the amount of EVs sold – the Central statistic office figures for 2023 were released today.Alex Rowley from the Newstalk news team joined Andrea to break down some of the main statistics...

Luke Littler, the 16-year-old who has enjoyed a historic run to the final of the World Darts Championship He is now just one win away from becoming the youngest-ever champion.   Andrea was joined by Sports Journalist Conan Doherty and other listeners to discuss...

Yesterday the Minster for Environment Eamonn Ryan stated that disinformation is being accepted as gospel.  With the new year upon, the growth of social media and the tectonic rise of AI. Disinformation has never been as prevalent as it is today, so how can we spot disinformation in the new year?  Andrea was joined by Razan Ibraheem, a journalist specialising in content verification...

We have made a new year’s resolution on the show this year to look on the brighter side of life.  Our new item Lunchtime Live's Reasons to be Happy, will look at some of the news stories that you might have missed that will leave you feeling more optimistic.  This week in particular – its January, its grey outside, its cold – now more than ever we need a reason to be happy!   Newstalk’s own Cathal O’Sullivan joined Andrea in studio to put a smile on your faces.... 

Should all Irish primary schools be Gaelscoils? Estonia has announced a new law to ensure that over the next 10 years all primary schools that still teach primarily through Russian will have to switch to Estonian.  Could something like that work here? Would it help or hinder the language and our children’s education? Andrea was joined by Chris McCaffrey, Irish Language Speaker and former teacher based in Fermanagh and others to discuss...

From today, tolls on ten routes across the country will increase. Most road users will the charge increase by 20c, with heavy good vehicles increasing by 30-50c Andrea was joined by Shane O’Donoghue, Editor with completecar.ie and others to discuss...

Do you make new year’s resolutions? According to a new survey - 7 in 10 of under 29's think resolutions are outdated. What do you think? Have you every stuck to them? Siobhan Murray, psychotherapist, life-coach and author joined Andrea on the show today...

Coming back after January, 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.Laughter Yoga instructor Marie Angeline Lascaux joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live today...

'If you would not eat it yourself, then don’t serve it up’  That is the message from health campaigner Jillian McNulty to hospital catering staff.  Jillian, who has cystic ­fibrosis, has been a patient multiple times and says that nine times out of ten the food comes cold or barely warm. Andrea was joined on Lunchtime Live by Jillian, Frances, Jason and JP McMahon - Chef, Author & Restauranteur to discuss...

Prepare for Christmas with ease as our cheese expert is here to show us how to whip up the perfect board for the day! Kevin Sheridan, owner of Sheridan's Cheese Mongers joined Andrea in studio today...

For some families, there’s extra celebrations this Christmas as they’ve welcomed babies in the past few months.  However it’s been a long road, as both babies were born through surrogacy. Andrea was joined bu Kyle and Grainne to discuss their experiences...

Many people will be unwrapping, unwanted gifts on Monday whether they be socks or a gift you may already have. Because gifting can bring about these problems it’s important to know our consumer rights at this time of year Andrea was joined by Sinead Ryan, consumer columnist with the Irish Independent and presenter of The Home Show 

While some may consider 2023 the year of war and tragedies, there were many enjoyable things that also took place. As we look back on 2023, here are a few stories that warmed our hearts, made us laugh and gave us some hope that things aren’t all so bad! Andrea was joined by Newstalk’s Eamonn Torsney to look back...

Tablescaping is the new Christmas trend this year.Andrea was joined by wedding planner, Lyndsey Moynagh to find out how to get the perfect Christmas table...

From Dirty Dens revelations in Eastenders to who killed Emmerdale’s Tom King – Christmas Day is when all the big drama happens in the soaps but how did they become such staple viewing? Andrea was joined by Soap Writer Alan Flanagan, Soap Director Jay Brannigan and Broadcaster Gary Brennan to discuss...

As the Irish diaspora continues to travel far and wide, we hear how those who can’t make it back to Ireland for Christmas will be celebrating in their respective countries.   Andrea was joined by Irish all over the world on today's show...

61 year old Robert Kilmartin was in University Hospital Limerick recently, he joined Andrea today to discuss his experience?

Have we lost the run of ourselves with standing ovations at live performances? When is the last time you went to a show that the audience didn’t stand up and cheer in appreciation at the final curtain? Theatre experts in the UK have said that in the West End the display of appreciation once seen as a rare honour for a great performance has become a nightly phenomenon. Has the standing ovation lost all meaning? Andrea was joined by Eilish O'Carroll, Willie White, Claudia Carroll and more to discuss...

Are you the type of person that sets their alarm for Stephen’s Day to get up and beat the queues for the post Christmas sales? Or do you think that shops should remain closed for longer over the Christmas period? Andrea was joined by listeners and business owners to discuss...

Preparations have begun in households across the country for Monday’s Christmas dinner.  TV Chef and Owner of Ballyknocken House & Cookery School, Catherine Fulvio joined Andrea to let us know how to avoid all our Christmas kitchen faux pas...

For a third year in a row, the children of Chernobyl won’t be visiting Ireland over Christmas.  For the last two years Covid has stopped the visits. And this year it’s the war in Ukraine. The visit is supposed to give the kids some rest and recuperation.  These children are all suffering from various health, mental and physical issues as a result of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster in the region back in 1986, and the trip to Ireland was seen as a vital break for their health and wellbeing.  Adi Roche, voluntary CEO of Chernobyl Children International joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live today...

Should the Gaeltacht be protected for Irish speakers? New figures out today say that despite the fact that population of the Gaeltacht has increased since 2016, the number of daily Irish speakers has actually fallen. Most Gaeltacht areas are in the West of Ireland, often in rural scenic areas. And because of that holiday homes and high property prices are a concern with locals. So should new housing policies be brought in to protect Irish speaking areas for Irish speakers? Andrea was joined by John Prendergast, West Kerry language planner with Tobar Dhuibhne and other Irish language speakers on Lunchtime Live...

Dublin City has received a lot of negative attention in the past few weeks and months – but Green Party Cllr Hazel Chu wants people to take back the city. Andrea caught up with her to walk around the capital...