Lunchtime Live

Irish boat dwellers are set to be hit with huge fee hikes which they say will tear communities apart. Barry and Emma, who live on a boat joined Andrea to discuss...

Nearly a fifth of children say it’s hard to stop playing video games. They’ve also said they stay up late gaming and aren’t getting enough sleep. Children have also said they get headaches and sore eyes and ears. The figures come from Barnardos, who surveryed children from third to sixth class. Are we taking online gaming seriously enough? Andrea was joined by listeners to discuss...

The Sunday World joined the Irish landscape in 1973. It was pitched as being ‘irreverent, campaigning, questioning and fun’. 50 years on, Andrea Gilligan was joined by Nicola Tallant, Investigations Editor and Daragh Keany, Features Editor to look back at the impact the paper has made... 

Singer RuthAnne posted a video on social media which has struck a chord with many women. She spoke about suffering a pain flare up due to endometriosis. Andrea was joined by RuthAnne and listener Ali to discuss...Image: X via @thisisruthanne

Suella Braverman, the UK Home Secretary, has called for a new international approach to granting asylum and changes to the 1951 refugee convention.    She described uncontrolled and illegal migration is an "existential challenge for the political and cultural institutions of the West",  Adding "uncontrolled immigration, inadequate integration, and a misguided dogma of multiculturalism have proven a toxic combination for Europe over the last few decades.Andrea was joined by listeners to discuss the impact of multiculturalism in Irish society...

Sally, a listener, emailed into the show about an experience of casual racism she had over the weekend.Sally joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live to tell her what happened...

The greatest baking competition on the planet returns this evening. The Great British Bake Off returns to screens on Channel 4 this evening, but what makes The Great British Bake Off so appealing?Andrea was joined by Paul Kelly, Pastry Chef: Merrion Hotel and Former Judge on The Great Irish Bake Off, Graham Herterich, The Cupcake Bloke and author of ‘Bake,  Imelda McCarron, who was on the show in 2018 and Sarina Bellisimo, Entertainment Journalist to discuss…

Andrea Gilligan was joined on Lunchtime Live by Newstalk reporter Aoife Kearns to chat about an experience she had in which someone commented on her height and size. Broadcaster and author, Barbara Scully and journalist Yvonne Redmond also joined Andrea on the show…

The Federation of Early Childhood Providers are currently gathered outside Leinster House in protest against what they say are low fees paid to them by the Government.  Andrea was joined by childcare providers Hazel, Fiona and Averil to discuss...

Andrea Gilligan was joined on Lunchtime Live by GP and lecturer, Dr Sumi Dunne to answer listeners health queries and questions...

Luke O’Brien was the victim of a one-punch attack which saw him lose his life in 2017. His killer, Jack Hall Ellis was released from custody last year after serving three years and eight months of the five-year sentence he received.  Luke O’Brien’s mother, Janet, made the decision to meet with her son’s killer as part of the Irish Probation Board’s restorative justice programme.  Janet O’Brien joined Andrea to discuss...

As the cost-of-living crisis continues to bite across the country, Newstalk is here to help with a new online series highlighting the best ways to save on your bills.Cut-the-Cost will offer tips and advice on how to save on everything from energy and the weekly shop to modern essentials like broadband and phone contracts.Aoife Kearns, from our news team has done the hard work and sourced the best deals for your calls, texts and mobile data...

Today, state funded IVF will be introduced for the first time with eligible couples receiving one publicly funded cycle. The initiative has drawn praise and criticism alike, with some citing the limits placed on age and BMI. Will it have a meaningful impact? Andrea was joined by listeners to discuss...

Was it inappropriate for Irish rugby fans to sing ‘Zombie’? As a lot of you no doubt would have heard over the weekend the sound of Ireland's rugby supporters singing The Cranberries song at the Stade de France on Saturday night, celebrating the team's World Cup win over South Africa. However, there was a backlash over the weekend as not everyone was happy with the song choice.Andrea was joined by listeners to discuss...

Andrea was joined on Lunchtime Live by mum Maggie Butler. Maggie has a son named Alex who is in Temple Street Children’s Hospital, but they're currently struggling in their attempts to get Alex home...

57-year-old Paul King, who suffered a heart attack in December, now finds himself homeless and living in the woods in County Wicklow. He joined Andrea to discuss his situation...

Should teenagers join the gym? In an Irish Independent article Mary McCarthy believes all gyms should open their doors to younger teenagers. But is it the right place for them? Does your teen go to gym? Or is your gym overrun with teens? Andrea was joined by Sarah Jayne Tobin, Content Editor with Evoke.ie, Shane Lynch from One Life Fitness and others to discuss...

'What is the deal with voice notes?' wonders Richard Hogan in the Irish Examiner this morning.  Do we no longer care for conversation with people? Have voice notes replaced phone calls? Texting?  Andrea was joined by listeners to discuss...

Yesterday on Lunchtime Live, Andrea spoke to Garreth about his wife Vicki’s story. She was diagnosed with terminal cancer and decided to avail of assisted dying in her home country Belgium. There was a huge reaction to Garreth’s interview, with many people giving their thoughts on assisted dying. Should assisted dying be permitted in Ireland? Andrea was joined by Aontú Leader, Peadar Tóibín TD, broadcaster and journalist Valerie Cox and other listeners to discuss...

Apparently Dublin is the second biggest city in Europe for a botox obsession. This is according to a new survey by VIP Italia, second only to Amsterdam. Dubliners youth obsessed it seems, searching for it over a thousand times a month online. So what’s got us so hooked? Andrea was joined by Kerry Hanaphy, nurse and Owner of the Kerry Hanaphy Aestethic Clinic and listeners to discuss...

Shocking scenes outside Leinster House yesterday as TDs and staff were unable to leave the grounds due to protestors. There’s videos circulating of Michael Healy Rae being jostled and harangued, verbal abuse being thrown at him.  13 people were arrested in connection with the protests. Where you there? What do you think of these kind of demonstrations? Andrea was joined by some of those who were in Leinster House yesterday including; patient advocate, Stephen Teap, Adrian Cummins and CEO of the Restaurant's Association. Cllr Jackie Healy-Rae, Fine Gael Senator Barry Ward, Joe O'Shea, Editor of CorkBeo and more listeners joined Andrea to discuss...

Today marks 25 years since the launch of TV3. One of the stars that launched the station, Gráinne Seoige joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live to discuss her memories...

A listener, Garret Ahern contacted Lunchtime Live to share his story of his wife availing of assisted dying.His wife, Vicky Janssens was diagnosed with terminal cancer and in her final months she decided to avail of assisted dying in her home country Belgium. He told Andrea the story of travelling to Belgium with his wife for her final days…

Vanessa Molloy in Kerry joined Andrea Gilligan on Lunchtime Live. Vanessa has a big problem with rats in her house at the moment...

Former Dublin Lord Mayor Nial Ring has described Ireland’s bail system as a “complete joke”.  The Independent councillor made the comments after Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring also called on the State to do “something about bail” at a recent hearing. This all comes after a teenager who received bail for allegedly attacking two British tourists was brought back to court four days later over another alleged offence.   Andrea was joined by listeners to discuss... 

Why is it so difficult for some parents to get swimming lessons for their children? “It feels like the Hunger Games. Fighting for this limited number of spaces. I genuinely think people would step over their own mother to get a place.”  - so tells one parent to Deirdre McArdle, writing in the Irish Examiner this week.  Andrea was joined by Deirdre, Tim Lombard, Fine Gael Senator and others to discuss...

Parents with children for life-altering spinal surgeries have hit out at the HSE and Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) as operations have been postponed. It comes after the HSE announced that it has commissioned a review into parts of paediatric care at Temple Street after one child died and others suffered serious post-surgery complications following spinal surgery there. Andrea was joined by parents and listeners to discuss...

The National Ploughing Championship kicks off its three-day festivities today. It is believed that tens of thousands of people are due to attend the Laois festival with their wellies in toe. What makes it so popular and what exactly do people do at it?  Andrea was joined by National President of Macra Na Feirme, Elaine Houlihan, Clive Carter, the Site Owner of the Ploughing Championship land and Louise and Catherine to discuss...

Andrea Gilligan was at Liberty Hall this morning where the National Women’s Council organised a National Day of Action calling for public, affordable childcare.  She met with Vicky Masterson, a mother of two, Engineer and mum of one Sinead Massey and Eilish Balfe, the Care Officer in the National Women’s Council...

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has defended its ‘be seen, be safe’ campaign for pedestrians and cyclists to wear high-visibility clothing amid accusations of ‘victim blaming’ vulnerable road users.  Galway City Councillor and founder of Galway Cycle Bus Alan Curran has slammed the RSA for ‘failing’ in its mandate to protect pedestrians and cyclists. What do you think? Is this campaign by the RSA victim blaming?  Andrea was joined by Kevin Jennings, Chairperson of Galway Cycling Campaign and other listeners to discuss...

The Loneliness Taskforce has criticised the Government for “not living up to their commitment to tackle loneliness”. The report published in June found Ireland had the highest rates of loneliness in the EU, with 20% of Irish participants feeling lonely most or all of the time compared to an European average of 13%. Andrea was joined by listeners to discuss...

As the cost-of-living crisis continues to bite across the country, Newstalk is here to help with a new online series highlighting the best ways to save on your bills.Cut-the-Cost will offer tips and advice on how to save on everything from energy and the weekly shop to modern essentials like broadband and phone contracts.Aoife Kearns, from our news team has done the hard work and sourced the best deals for broadband providers...

DCU has come under fire for charging the students living on campus €56 to park there for the week. Previously, students living on campus had to enter a lottery to get allocated a car parking space, which cost €200 last year. But the car park will now be on a ‘first come, first served’ basis, and parking their cars overnight full-time will cost students living on campus hundreds of euro extra per year. Andrea was joined by DCU student Jack McDonald and DCU Student's Union President Thomas O'Dowd...Image: Higher Education Authority

Are we biased against people from Northern Ireland?  Talking about the recent no confidence vote in Garda Commissioner, and Northerner, Drew Harris, Sunday Times Columnist Alison O’Connor wondered whether an unconscious bias against people in Northern Ireland was to blame.What do you think? Do we have an unconscious bias against people from the North? Are they ‘othered’?  Andrea was joined by listeners to discuss...

Disability advocate Niamh Ní Hoireabhaird has spoke in the Independent about her excitement about getting married, but the issues it could create for her with her disability allowance. Niamh joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live to discuss...

For the first time ever the number of beds available to tourists on Venice’s main island has surpassed the number of year-round residents. Do we run the risk of going the same road? Are we taking care of tourists too much at a loss to everyone else? Andrea was joined by James Madigan, Stalwart of the Liberties Cultural Association and other listeners to discuss?

Last week, Andrea spoke to Mactalene Palm, whose daughter Amber disappeared while on holiday in Disneyland. Today, Mactalene joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live with an update...

The Book of Kells was in the news this week. Trinity College students blocked access for tourists to the Book of Kells this morning. They’re protesting as part of a ‘Freeze the Rents’ housing protest, we talked about it ourselves on the show on Wednesday.  Since then there has been a lot of talk about the Book of Kells and the fact that it is located in Trinity College. There have been some calls for it to be moved to the National Museum, where it could be viewed for free. Others want the Book of Kells actually returned to the town of Kells in Co Meath.  Andrea was joined by listeners to discuss…

One of the toughest things a family can go through, is having child that is sick. Particularly one that is sick for a long period of time. As well as the incredible emotional toil it can take, there is a huge financial aspect to this. And it’s often one that isn’t considered unless you’re going through it yourself. Parents have to miss work or sometimes even give up their jobs to take on caring duties, and being sick itself can be expensive Does there need to be more financial supports given to families with a sick child? Andrea was joined by Seamus and Susan to discuss…

To celebrate Love Donegal Day, Andrea Gilligan was joined by Kieran Cuddihy in studio and he put her through her paces with a quiz all about Donegal...

As part of Love Donegal Day Andrea Gilligan took a genealogy test to see just how Donegal she really is. Jennifer Doyle, researcher with ancestry.com joined Andrea in studio to reveal the results…  

The Draft Dublin City Centre Transport Plan is the latest attempt from Dublin City Council and the National Transport Authority to deal with the traffic and public transport issues in the city centre.  The plan will involve car restrictions, and in some cases total car bans from large parts of the city. Right now, there’s huge congestion and the experience for anyone cyling or using public transport can be hellish.  Andrea was joined by listeners to discuss...

Chambers Bar is a well known LGBTQ+ bar in Cork city. It hosts Drag nights and brunches regularly and has always been considered one of the top spaces for those events in the city.  For Freshers week this year they have changed their name to 'Sinners' and removed all their gay flags and signs. The speculation seems to be that’s it’s a commercial decision to get a larger crowd in. Andrea was joined by drag queen Krystal Queer, Ailsa Spindler is with me from Gay Project, Evan and Laura to discuss...Image: Google Maps/Con Keating / Drag Queen Krystal Queer

Last week, Gayle told us her heartbreaking experience of being unable to go to her mother’s funeral because she couldn’t get respite for her disabled son. Anne Rabbitte, Minister of State. Department of Children, Disability, Equality, Integration and Youth joined Andrea to give her reaction and discuss future plans for supports for carers.Gayle also joined Andrea after listening to the Minister to give her reaction...

Trinity College students have clashed with tourists as they blockade access to the Book of Kells this morning. They’re protesting as part of a ‘Freeze the Rents’ housing protest. Andrea Gilligan was joined on Lunchtime Live by László Molnárfi is the President of Trinity Student's Union and other students to discuss...

How important are soaps in discussing national issues? Between Fair City introducing a far right character to discussions surrounding storylines like teen pregnancies, addiction and gay rights – soaps have always tried to reflect the society we live in. But do they continue to have a place in our society?Andrea was joined by Alan Flannagan, Hollyoaks writer and Jay Brannigan, director of soaps like Fair City and Eastenders…

RTÉ has refused to publish a list of its top 100 earners, saying it would be “inappropriate” to ask staff for permission to release their names alongside their salaries.   The broadcaster told an Oireachtas media committee that “It remains inappropriate to ask staff for permission to release their names alongside their salaries."Andrea was joined by listeners to discuss...

Communities in North Kildare are protesting today about access to a major public site being cut off.  Access to the Castletown House estate in Celbridge will be completely cut off from one side.  It’s annoyed the local community and residents have blocked the road this morning believing the owners intended to renovate the site immediately. Andrea was joined by Social Democrats TD Catherine Murphy and other local reisdents to discuss...

Third level students around the country are struggling to find accommodation for the start of the academic year.  UCD and Trinity students union have been handing out fliers around Dublin to encourage people to rent out rooms in their homes. There are stories in nearly every university and college of the difficulties their students are facing. Andrea was joined by Charlie, Mohammed, Sam and more to discuss...

Following the devastating earthquake in Morocco, the death toll is now close to 3,000 people. It was a 6.8 magnitude earthquake, the strongest in the North African country's history, that struck 72km southwest of the city of Marrakesh.  Andrea was joined by Russell, from Bangor in Down who is living in Marrakesh and Asia from Cork who has since returned home…