Lunchtime Live

Working from home is apparently playing havoc with our diets! We’re far more likely to snack on indulgent things and eat more often when doing the day job from the comfort of your own home. That is according to a new survey by Compass Group Ireland. Andrea was joined by Keelin O'Dwyer, Behavioural Psychologist to discuss...

The school day routine has arrived back in families lives with a bang. However, uniforms are still a contentious issue among parents. How do you feel about school uniforms? Are they old fashioned? Or do they still serve a purpose? Andrea was joined by parents and listeners to discuss...

Mother of four Shannon Meenan Browse from Derry sadly died last month following gastric sleeve surgery abroad. Her family wants to tell Shannon’s story to warn others of the possible risks of having this surgery overseas. Shannon’s Dad Shane and Brother Conneith joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live to discuss…

Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis have apologised over the weekend after character letters they wrote for their former That 70’s Show co-star Danny Masterson were made public.   Masterson was sentenced last week to 30 years to life in prison for raping two women at his Californian home in the early 2000s.  In their character letters, Kunis and Kutcher described Masterson as a decent human and a “role model” for others.   Andrea was joined by listeners to discuss...

A video of ‘buskers’ in Cork has gone viral because people are complaining about the quality. It’s someone dressed up as a leprechaun, blaring a dance edit of the song ‘Stand by Me’.  Should the standard of street performers be subject to regulation? Andrea was joined by David Owens, busker and musician, Oliver Moran Green Councillor for Cork City North East, Kevin Hurlihy, from Cork Business Association and Iman from Dulce Bun House in Cork 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.Caoimhseach Connolly, from our news team has done the hard work and sourced the best deals...

Should certain breeds of dogs be fully banned?  The UK Home Secretary, Suella Braverman, has announced she has commissioned urgent advice on outlawing American XL Bully dogs after she highlighted an “appalling” attack on an 11-year-old girl in Birmingham.  Is it time that certain breeds were fully banned? Andrea was joined by listeners to discuss...

As you may have heard Ryanair Michael O’Leary was hit in the face with two cream pies yesterday while preparing to deliver a petition to the European Commission president in Brussels.    Is it ok to pie someone you don’t agree with? What do you think – is this an acceptable form of protest? Andrea was joined by listeners to discuss...

A new plan for Dublin’s North Inner city will see community safety wardens on the streets.  They’ll focus on areas like Wolfe Tone Square and O’Connell Street. It comes after weeks of crime in the city centre being put under the spotlight.   The wardens would be employed by Dublin Town to observe and report issues of anti-social behaviour. Andrea was joined by Gerry Farrell, Operations Director at DublinTown and other listeners to discuss...

More people are continuing to get in touch with Lunchtime Live about their experiences as carers and the lack of support for them in Ireland.Andrea was joined by Carmel and Chris on the show today to discuss their experiences...

On Lunchtime Live yesterday, Gayle shared her story about caring for son with profound needs. She described how she was unable to attend her own mothers funeral, because of a lack of respite services for her son. Since chatting to Gayle, we’ve been inundated with people sharing their stories. Andrea was joined by parents Ger, Jill and Cliff to discuss their current situations.Fine Gael Senator Mary Seery Kearney also joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live to discuss who is responsible for carers and patients…

Those of us that own smart home devices are often being asked for loads of personal information that is then potentially shared with social media companies.  The consumer company Which found companies appear to be gathering far more data than is needed for their products to function.   Things like smart TVs that ask for users’ viewing habits and a smart washing machine that needs your date of birth. Andrea was joined by Newstalk's Technology Correspondent Jess Kelly to discuss...

The daughter of a Cavan based family went missing while on holiday in Paris last month. Seventeen year old Amber Victoria Palm was staying in Disneyland Paris. She is thought to have left with a man she’d been talking to online. Her mum, Mactalene Palm joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live to discuss...

The IFA have decided that they will picket a proposed meeting called by the Minister for Agriculture today.  They are unhappy with a decision by the European Commission to restrict the provision of flexibility on nitrates rules which means many farmers may have to reduce animal numbers. They also want to resolve payment issues from 2023.Andrea was joined by Brendan Golden, National IFA livestock chairman and other farmers and listeners to discuss...

Speed limits are set to reduce on Irish roads under new plans, but will it make people slow down?  Will this work to make our roads safer? Or what do we need to do? Andrea was joined by listeners to discuss...

Clare County Council have been accused of ripping off tourists by charging €99 for watching the sunset from the Cliffs of Moher.  The Cliffs of Moher Experience, a visitors centre run by Clare County Council, an “enchanting evening experience” which includes a ‘Crafted in Clare’ box which features a photograph of the landscape, chocolates, lip balm and two types of soap.  Is this good value for money? Andrea was joined by Éimhín, Seán and Pat in Clare to discuss...

Gayle, a listener, reached out to Lunchtime Live about on ongoing issue she is having. Gayle is a full time carer for her 21-year-old son who had autism and is looking for help...

A disabled golfer has criticised Ryanair after being told his golf buggy could not be accepted onboard.Ian St John had booked a flight from Cork Airport to Liverpool in the UK last Saturday and joined Andrea to discuss his experience...

Ireland AM Presenter Martin King lost his mother Christina to dementia in 2019 after an eight year battle with the disease. He joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live to chat about his family's experience and remember her...

Over a quarter of primary school children and 40% of secondary school children face cyberbullying.  They are huge numbers of our children that are being bullied online. Also, Girls are more likely to be victimised online than boys.  Andrea was joined by parents and listeners to discuss...

Are you feeling lucky? How about entering a raffle to win a house? Karen is putting her house up for raffle and she joined Andrea to tell her how it works...

Andrea was joined on Lunchtime Live on Newstalk by parents Aaron Daly and Aisling Hughes to discuss issues their children who have autism are facing with their school buses...

While it is no doubt one of the most famous and beloved musicals of all time, ‘Grease’ has been getting a critical re-evaluation from modern audiences. Younger viewers are calling the 1978 movie problematic and sexist with “a gross culture of toxic masculinity and rape culture”   What do you think? Is Grease a problematic movie musical?   Andrea was joined by listeners to discuss...

Tonight the first of a three part interview series with Notorious Dublin drug dealer John Gilligan will air on Virgin Media. ‘Confessions of a Crime Boss’ sees Gilligan lifting the lid on his dubious career and his trial for the murder of crime journalist Veronica Guerin, an atrocity for which he was found not guilty, though he was jailed for importing drugs.The decision to air the programme has been met with much criticism, so today we are asking should John Gilligan and criminals similar to him be given the opportunity to speak? Andrea was joined by listeners to discuss...

Andrea Gilligan was joined by Dr. Sumi Dunne, a GP and Lecturer to answer any questions you might have for a doctor. 

Our summer memories series returns where we chat with some well-known faces and reminisce over those long summer days!  Broadcaster Pat Kenny joined Andrea on his 10 year Newstalk anniversary to discuss...

New research by One Fab Day found that a third of women admit to making excuses to avoid hen parties. Jessica O’Sullivan – Editor of One Fab Day along with callers joined Andrea to discuss.

Today it was announced that Donald Trump's impending trial will be live streamed online, this lead us to ask should court cases be broadcasted and turned into entertainment?

Following on from a discussion last week with Irish Only Fans star Megan O’Neill, a mum earning around 10k a month on the site, a listener got in touch to recount her experiences in the sex work trade.

Tommy Sheehan an ex-Defence Forces member got in touch with the show following the passing of his friend of Denis Barry last week because he was not allowed to have his coffin draped in the tricolour at his funeral mass.

Andrea was joined on Lunchtime Live by a listener to the programme, Andrea Clarke. Andrea you got in touch because she is dealing with a stage 4 cancer diagnosis and is struggling to find somewhere to live...

Mary McCarthy, writing in the Irish Independent today says we should lose the lippy and set a good example to teenage girls. She argues, we don’t need all the makeup people are wearing nowadays. Should we ditch makeup? And, does our reliance on it set a bad example to young people?  Andrea was joined by make-up artist Sandra Gillen and other listeners to discuss...

An exclusive poll carried out by Newstalk shows that the idea of whether or not gender identity should be taught in schools seems to be split almost right down the middle. 40% say it should be taught and 42% say it shouldn’t.  It’s an issue that comes up time and time again, do you think gender identity should be taught in schools? Andrea was joined by listeners to discuss...

Imagine being on a child free zone on a flight – no children screaming, no stressed parents. No babies crying for 8 hours. Sounds like bliss right? How much would you be willing to pay for it?  Or for parents – how freeing would it be to know that the people that might get worked up about your upset or noisy child are all seated in a different area. A guilt free flight!  Turkish-owned Corendon Airlines has come to the rescue. The company has just announced it is introducing child-free zones on one of its routes. The so-called ‘Only Adult’ zone will be accessible to passengers over the age of 16. At a cost of €45. Andrea was joined by listeners to discuss...

The deaths of three members of one family, including a three year old boy, in a car crash near Cashel has caused huge shock in the home community.  The crash happened at around 9pm last night. All five people in the car suffered serious injuries. They were all members of the one family from the area.   Andrea was joined by local Sinn Féin TD, Martin Browne, Fr Enda Brady and local businessman Tommy Grogan to discuss...

The Electoral Commission published its constituency review this morning  It recommends an increase of 14 TDs to 174 seats in the next Dáil and increasing the number of constituencies from 39 to 43  What do you think? Do we need more TDs in Ireland? #Andrea Gilligan was joined by listeners to discuss... 

The Spanish football federation’s regional presidents have demanded that Luis Rubiales “immediately resign” from his role following his conduct in the aftermath of the Women’s World Cup final.   Rubiales, the president of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), is under fire after he grabbed forward Jenni Hermoso by the head and planted a kiss on her lips.   Prosecutors in Spain said that they have launched a sexual assault investigation into the allegations.  Should Luis Rubiales resign? Clare McKenna was joined by listeners to discuss...

Would you ever rock up to a wedding without a gift? Or do you feel there’s pressure to give them? Kirsty Blake Knox, Columnist with the Irish Independent writes today that she wants us to do away with wedding gifts. Clare McKenna was joined by Kirsty Blake Knox and other listeners to discuss... 

Hundreds of people’s travel plans have been disrupted following air traffic faults in the UK. The travel disruption could last for days as further departures and arrivals were affected this morning, in addition to the 115 flights cancelled yesterday. Clare McKenna was joined by Will Dalton, Virgin Media Sports Reporter, who is stuck in Budapest following the World Athletics Championships and other stranded passengers to discuss...

How much do you pay in Voluntary Contribution in your child’s school? An exclusive Newstalk poll carried out by Amárach shows that 42% of parents are spending between €50-€100 per year on Voluntary contribution.  Clare McKenna was joined by Jen Hogan, Columnist with the Irish Times and other parents to discuss...

Schools return this week, but there’s added stress for some families after being told this week that there are no buses available to take the children to school. Andrea was joined by parents to discuss the difficulties they are facing...

Last week tragedy struck at the Cork Ironman with the death of two competitors- Brendan Wall and Ivan Chittenden. Lisa Bentley is a close friend and Ivan’s Coach and she joined Andrea on the show this afternoon...

Kristen Bell has revealed she allows her children to drink non-alcoholic beer. The actress, who starred in Frozen and Veronica Mars, has two daughters - an eight and a nine-year-old. What do you think? Has she got a point? Why do we continue to treat alcohol-free drinks the same as those that contain alcohol? And, would you be comfortable letting your child drink an alcohol-free beer? Andrea was joined by callers on the show to discuss... 

The community of Clonmel continues to grieve today after the deaths of four young people from a car crash on Friday night. The four victims are Nicole Murphy, Zoey Coffey, Grace McSweeney and her brother Luke McSweeney.   Nicole, Zoey and Grace had received their Leaving Cert results earlier on Friday and were being driven by Luke to meet friends in Clonmel for a planned trip to Carlow and a celebration event. Up to 2,000 people are estimated to have attended a vigil in Kickham Plaza near the centre of the town last night to remember the four victims. Councillor Máirín McGrath and Joe Leahy of C-Saw joined Andrea Gilligan on the show.

Should disposable vapes be banned? Electric Picnic have announced they're banning single-use vapes from this year's festival. Have you noticed an increase in disposable vapes? Do you agree with EP banning them?Andrea Gilligan was joined by callers to discuss banning disposable vapes... 

Our summer memories series returns where we chat with some well-known faces and reminisce over those long summer days! Wolfe Tones Singer Brian Warfield joined Andrea to discuss...

All this week we’ve been talking about the Cost of Being Single. We’re highlighting the things single people deal with, that those in couples don’t. Today we’re talking about retiring as a single person.Andrea was joined by Paul Merriman Financial Adviser along with callers to discuss the financial and personal realities of retiring alone.

A controversial mural depicting Irish revolutionary Michael Collins on the front of a packet of Chickatees is dividing opinions online. The striking artwork titled ‘Mickatees’ by Liam Robinson is located on Glasnevin Avenue. Some have dubbed it the ‘misappropriation of an extremely important Irish historical figure’ Andrea was joined by listeners to discuss...

Would you like to see more local Irish beers at festivals? Heineken seems to be the main beer in a lot of them, but would you prefer to see some craft Irish beers?  One brewery from Stradbally is calling for their local festival Electric Picnic to stock their beer. They say that if the festival claims to be sustainable, that supporting local should be an important element of that.  David Walsh-Kemmis from Ballykilcavan brewery, Craig Hughes, Co-founder & Head of Communications for Night and Day Festival, Joe Donnelly from Rascals Brewery and Peter Breen from Drink Irish to discuss...

Yesterday Garda Commissioner Drew Harris said that violent attacks in Dublin have not increased, despite the public narrative to the contrary, and Dublin city centre is safer than other European cities. However, with constant stories of people being attacked in the city centre and videos being shared on social media showcasing threatening behaviour in some of the cities key areas many would disagree with Mr. Harris’ assertion. Is it just perception, or is Dublin less safe? Andrea was joined by listeners to discuss...