Lunchtime Live

There has been an abundance of gigs happening around the county over the past few weeks, from Dermot to Kennedy to The Prodigy and everything in between. With so many gigs, brings plenty of opportunities for the general public to annoy us! Andrea was joined by callers who shared their annoying stories...

More revelations about spending at RTE this morning. They’re due before the Oireachtas media committee at 1.30 pm today. Sean Defoe, Newstalk’s Political Correspondent joined Andrea with the latest...

Andrea was joined by Rocco who got in touch with the show to hear his story as to why cannabis as to why he grows cannabis for personal use...

Irish Rail's Barry Kenny answered listeners travel questions...

Minister for Housing, Darragh O’Brien is a Malahide local. He joined Andrea to discuss the housing in North county Dublin.

Malahide boasts an abundance of pubs and restaurants. So how does a small village punch so high when it comes to entertainment and hospitality? Andrea spoke to the owner of Gibney's, Tony Gibney, Senior Executive Officer for Tourism Development for Fingal Council, Declan Power and owner of Bon Appétit, Toro Tapas Bar and the Ribeye Steakhouse in Malahide, Oliver Dunne.

Upon her arrival in Malahide Andrea met Michael Place the owner of Toots, the Malahide road train. Andrea took a tour of Malahide on Toots and chatted to Michael about what Malahide has to offer.

4th of July marks American Independence Day. Andrea was joined by Vanessa Ridder and Brady Chamberlain from School of Rock, a music group from the U.S whose 50 members have made a trip to Dublin. Andrea was also joined by American callers to hear how they are celebrating.

As part of Newstalk's Summer Tour Andrea was joined in Malahide by presenter of Alive and Kicking, Claire McKenna, Newstalk reporter, Henry McKean and Sinn Féin TD for Dublin Fingal, Louise O’Reilly She asked the north county Dublin locals what are the best things about living in the area?

Four in ten people in the EU think the most important role of a woman is to take care of her home and family. That’s according to new research undertaken by the European Commission, who are launching an EU-wide social media campaign tackling gender stereotypes. Andrea spoke to callers to hear their opinions on the new research.

With the school holidays kicking off today, is there pressure on children to always be doing something? Are kids able to be bored anymore? Andrea was joined by, Child and Adolescent Psychoanalytical Psychotherapist, Colman Noctor, Paenting life coach, Laura Guckian and callers.

Rachel got in touch with the show due to her hotel in Dublin cancelling her accommodation in Dublin for Taylor Swift and relocated her over 10km from the city center. Daniel and Chloe also got in touch with similar issues. Sinead Ryan, presenter on The Home Show on Newstalk joined Andrea on the show to discuss…

Several fans were ejected from Croke Park after a brawl broke out between supporters of Armagh and Monaghan. A video of the fighting was widely shared online over the weekend. The GAA has warned that Hill 16 could be converted to seating if fighting continues. Should Hill 16 be converted to seating? Andrea spoke to callers to hear their opinions.

Our summer memories series returns where we chat with some well-known faces and reminisce over those long summer days! Today FM Presenter Alison Curtis joined Andrea in studio...

Do we prioritize tourists too much over locals? Census figures show that Dingle is the town with the oldest population in Ireland and young families are being out-priced from buying where they’re from. Andrea was joined by Fianna Fáil Councillor in Dingle Breandán Fitzgerald and callers to discuss being priced out of Dingle...

Andrea Gilligan received an email from a listener asking if you’re using someone’s house as your free airbnb, should you bring a gift when visiting? So what do you think? Andrea was joined by callers to discuss...

Yesterday was another day of revelations from RTÉ as the controversy deepens. RTÉ management was before the Public Accounts Committee and I think it is fair to say it didn’t reflect well on them. They have been accused of using a “slush fund” to spend €275,000 on corporate hospitality in Japan and Spain and on Irish Rugby Football Union tickets. Andrea Gilligan was joined by taxpayers to discuss where do RTÉ go from here?...

One in seven people want e-scooters banned altogether. A survey by iReach Insights on behalf of Aviva Insurance also revealed about a quarter of us think e-scooters should have to pay tax and insurance regardless of how quick they can go. Andrea was joined by listeners to discuss…

Would you offer your teenager €2000 to stay away from booze? Irish Independent Columnist Mary McCarthy has an article today detailing her plans to offer her 14-year-old son this deal if he doesn’t drink until he’s 18. Andrea Gilligan was joined by Mary McCarthy, Niamh and Patricia to discuss…

Women4Election yesterday announced their new CEO as Brian Sheehan and it caused a huge backlash online. Is it really a good idea for Women4 Election, an organisation that helps women get elected to the local and national government, to hire a man in their most senior role? Andrea Gilligan was joined on Lunchtime Live by Fine Gael Senator Regina Doherty, Linda, John and more to discuss...

Two of this weekend's big All-Ireland quarter finals will be shown only on GAA GO. Saturday's double-header will be broadcast exclusively on the streaming platform. Kerry vs Tyrone and Armagh vs Monaghan will not be on terrestrial television and will be behind the paywall instead. Despite having played five championship games, Kerry's clash with Clare was the only time they’ve been broadcast on live tv in this series. Andrea was joined by Jerry O'Sullivan, Presenter of the Kerry Today program on Radio Kerry and other listeners to discuss…

Lewis Capaldi announced this week that he’s taking a break from touring to focus on his mental and physical well being. He spoke about getting diagnosed with Tourettes last year, and how he has struggled with the impact it’s had on him. Tourette’s syndrome is a nervous system disorder that causes repetitive movements, sounds, or tics that cannot be easily controlled. James MacInerney, Make Up Artist and contestant on The Glow Up joined Andrea to discuss his experience with Tourette’s…

Galway County Council are considering a proposal to ban smoking in designated outdoor dining areas across the county. What do you think? Should smoking be banned in outdoor dining areas? Would you like to see this be considered nationwide?

Childcare providers from across the country are protesting in Dublin today about funding and fees. They’re saying the sector is in crisis and if something doesn’t change soon, a lot of them will have to close. How hard is it to get childcare in Ireland? When did you put your child on the waiting list? Andrea was joined by Paula Donohoe is the owner of Clever Cloggs Creche in Ballyconnell, John, owner of Bel Childcare in Douglas, Cork and parents to discuss...

Would you eat meat that was grown in a lab? The Unites States has become the second country to go ahead to make lab grown meat commercially available. They have granted approvals to two companies to sell chicken grown directly from animal cells in a lab. Singapore gave lab grown chicken the green light back in 2020. Is it the way of the future? Andrea was joined by listeners to discuss...

Podcaster, writer and LGBT Ireland programme manager James O’Hagan told Newstalk Breakfast says his Dublin Pride experience was soured after he was twice approached by strangers ridiculing his weight. Mr O’Hagan said the experiences were "so at odds with what Pride is all about and what we want to be as an LGBTQ+ community". Andrea was joined by listeners to discuss their experiences of fat-shaming…

The government are offering up to €80,000 to purchase a property in one of the country's offshore islands as part of the ‘Our Living Islands' scheme. Andrea was joined by Chloe O'Malley, manager of Inis Oirr Island Co-Op, Jerry in Arranmore, Tom O'Malley on Clare Island and Billy O’Connor on the Blasket Islands...

Angeline, a listener, got in touch to talk about carers of the opposite sex. Her mother is receiving respite care after having pneumonia. During her stay in the care home she received intimate care from a male member of staff. Andrea was joined on Lunchtime Live by Angeline and Stefan, who is a male nurse...

It’s been revealed that not even a third of Irish cities are considered clean. A survey by Irish Business Against Litter has found the majority of Ireland's towns are clean, but two-thirds of city areas are littered. Vapes were included for the first time, masks were found in quite a few sites and coffee cups were really common. But who’s to blame? Andrea was joined on Lunchtime Live by Martin McGelligott, Dundalk Town Centre Commercial Manager, Cllr John Reilly, Councillor for Dundalk-Carlingford, Eoin Cluskey, Baker & Owner of Bread 41 in Dublin and more to discuss…

Lunchtime Live's Summer Memories series is back! Andrea chats to some well known faces and reminisce over those long summer days. First up, Comedian Emma Doran joined Andrea in studio...

The Irish Cancer Society has launched the Leave Our Leave campaign to force the Government to change the Maternity Protection Act 2004. Currently, women cannot defer their maternity leave while they are being treated and recovering from cancer. Following Andrea's conversation with Erica on the show yesterday, she was joined today by Mary and Emma who have similar experiences...

Online abuse, and abuse towards our politicians is becoming a common occurence. Fianna Fáil TD for Clare Cathal Crowe is the latest victim. He joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live to discuss... Image: Facebook via Cathal Crowe TD

RTE has admitted to undeclared payments to Ryan Tubridy of 345 thousand euro between 2017 and 2022. The broadcaster has also suspended Director General Dee Forbes. An emergency meeting of members of the National Union of Journalists working for RTE will be held today. What do you think? Does it bring into question the licence fee? Is it time to scrap it? Andrea was joined by Michael McNamara, Independent TD for Clare and listeners to discuss...

Currently in Ireland, women can’t defer their maternity leave while they are being treated and recovering from cancer. The Irish Cancer Society's Leave Our Leave campaign, which calls the legislation ‘unfair’, is fighting for change. Andrea Gilligan was joined by Erica to discuss...

In May this yea, it was announced that fashion brand SHEIN were opening an Irish pop-up store and there was outrage among people as the brand promotes fast fashion. Today, many celebrated a new Penneys store was opened in Dundrum Town Centre? Why is it not the same reaction with the opening of a huge Penneys store in Dundrum? Andrea was joined by Neale Richmond TD, Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Pat Kane, Sustainability Advocate and Founder of reuzi and Stylist Laura Mullett to discuss...

When exactly is a child old enough to be left at home on their own? It is something that more people will be thinking about now that children are off for the summer – especially now that most households have two working parents. Speaking on Newstalk earlier today Dr David Coleman, Clinical Psychologist, raised some of the issues to consider when leaving a child at home alone. Andrea Gilligan was joined on Lunchtime Live by parents to discuss…

Kim Kardashian has said that she still has imposter syndrome despite her enormous global success. She said her brand 'Skims, which was founded in 2019, has exceeded everything that she ever imagined". Imposter syndrome is the feeling that we’re going to be found out or feeling like we are a fraud. It’s the idea of feeling that we aren’t as good as people think we are. Andrea Gilligan was joined by Pamela Laird, CEO and Founder of Moxi Loves and former Apprentice candidate, Gina London, Leadership and Communications Specialist and Renee to discuss…

Andrea was joined on Lunchtime Live by Ivan to discuss being attacked whilst out walking with his husband and their dog...

Employees at an Iceland store in north Dublin arrived at work this morning only to find that there store had been closed. A large crowd has now gathered outside the store, and three employees have occupied the premises. Jeannette, employee and shop steward for Iceland joined Andrea from inside the store...

Should landlords be allowed set rules for what you do in your rented apartment? A landlord in New York set tongues wagging after posting an advert for an apartment which said that there was only one house rule - “no meat/fish in the building.” Meat eaters were not banned but the cooking of meat and fish was. Is this fair? Should landlords be allowed have rules like this? Andrea was joined by Catherine Woods, Vegan and an Animal Rights Activist, Hugh, an estate agent and landlord and more to discuss...

Andrea was joined on Lunchtime Live by Irish Independent Journalist Kirsty Blake Knox to discuss coping with pet grief, after her dog passed away at the age of 11...

Taylor Swift has announced back-to-back concerts in the Aviva Stadium on 28th and 29th June next year. However, any Swifties who live outside of Dublin could find the price of the ticket is the cheapest thing about the event; to stay in a triple deluxe room on Harcourt Street’s Iveagh Garden Hotel will cost €999 on 29th June next year. Andrea Gilligan was joined on Lunchtime Live by listeners and those in the hotel industry to discuss…

A psychologist in the US thinks our love of all things crime might actually be a bad thing. Dr Thema Bryant appeared on The Mel Robbins Podcast to say it can be a bit of a red flag if you find it relaxing to hear about horrific murders and crime. Is our love of true crime something we need to be worried about? Andrea was joined by Jess Kelly, Newstalk’s Tech Correspondent, Frank Greany, Host of Inside the Crime and Newstalk’s Court’s Reporter, Professor of Psychiatry at Trinity College, Brendan Kelly, Darren Cleary, Managing Editor, Digital Audio at Bauer Media and more to discuss…

Should there be restrictions on songs that can be played at funerals? Or should you be allowed do what you want? According to research by UK funeral directors, hymns are on the way back in, with their revival being credit to the Queens funeral. Some of the non-secular songs making the list included the classic 'Time to Say Goodbye' and also 'You’ll Never Walk Alone' by Gerry and The Pacemakers. To discuss the rules and restrictions around funeral songs, Andrea was joined by Brid McGowan from Foley & McGowans Funeral home in Sligo and McGowan’s Funeral Directors in Ballina, Celebrant Gareth Matthews and singer Liam Fitz....

Do young people these days lack the resilience to deal with life’s difficulties? Following on from a negative reaction to some Leaving Cert exams Mick Clifford, writing in the Examiner, wondered if 'Today's youth have been conditioned to inflate every disappointment into a trauma.' Talking to Newstalk earlier today, Mick Clifford argued that a large portion of the "overreaction" from young people comes from the "conditioning" of their parents and a lack of “resilience.” Have we conditioned our children to not have any resilience nowadays? Andrea was joined by listeners to discuss…

Playschools and Montessoris are no longer giving out sweet treats to children in moderation, and have descended into a "free for all." Andrea Gilligan was joined by parents and other listeners to discuss...

Is it hard to be pro-aging in the world of botox? Emer Lysaght wrote a piece in the Irish Times which explained she resents her friends for getting botox and resent them for making her look worse! Are you the odd one out in your friend group? Have they all got Botox and left you behind? Andrea was joined on Lunchtime Live by Sarina Bellissimo, host of The Bellissimo Files Podcast, Stylist Marietta Dolan and listeners to discuss...

President Higgins has been criticised for speaking out on the topic of Ireland’s neutrality. In an interview with the Business Post, Michael D Higgins said the country is "playing with fire" during a dangerous period of 'drift' in foreign policy - and should avoid 'burying itself in other people's agenda's. Has the President overstepped his role by talking about Government policy? Andrea was joined by listeners to discuss..

The town of Drogheda, in Co Louth has declared a war on seagulls. A public meeting has been called to find a solution to the seagulls that are causing havoc all over the town. What is the solution to aggressive seagulls? Andrea was joined by Frank Godfrey, Louth Councillor Michelle Hall, Wildlife expert and author Éanna Ní Lamhna and others to discuss...

It’s Fathers Day on Sunday! The role of the father has changed a lot in modern times, We want to know what you have learned most since becoming a father. Andrea was joined by Jamie and Dave of 'From Lads to Dads' and Seamus from 'Irish Gay Dads' to discuss...