Lunchtime Live

We are very nearly in the festive season – the Late Late Toy Show is on this Friday and next week we are into December. But, have you found yourself dreading the rush into Christmas? Have you ever found yourself overwhelmed with the obligation to meet friends and family and to go to work functions?  Has a holiday - which is meant to be a relaxing time - turned into a time endless plans and obligations and in which you have no free time?  Andrea was joined by Tara O'Connor from The Designed Table and listeners to discuss...

One listener Raymond got in touch with Lunchtime Live because of a situation he’s dealing with in the house he shares...

A legal loophole in the Road Traffic Act means some drivers have been able to avoid penalty points if they just get a disqualification from driving for one day. Some drivers have even been allowed to pick the day themselves. So for example could chose a Sunday – when they’re not working and don’t need to car. The Taoiseach has said he’s going to close all these loopholes. Do we take road safety seriously enough in this country? Andrea was joined by Evan O’Dwyer is a Solicitor specialising in road traffic law, Susan Grey, Founder of the Road Safety Group PARC and more to discuss...

Listeners joined Andrea Gilligan last week on Lunchtime Live to discuss eating disorder services in Ireland. On Friday, parents of children dealing with eating disorders staged a peaceful protest and march at the Department of Health, calling for eating disorder services reform. Today, Andrea was joined by Seán and Dee to discuss their experiences...

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.Barry Whyte, Newstalk's Chief Reporter has done the hard work and sourced the best deals for your banking...

Is there stigma around being an only child?  Writer and commentator Barbara Neeson talked about her experiences of growing up as an only child in Belfast in the 1980s on Newstalk Breakfast. Are you an only child or do you have an only child?  Today FM presenter Alison Curtis joined Andrea to discuss…

Should Airbnbs be allowed have cameras? Andrea was joined on Lunchtime Live by Ian, who recently had an experience where he noticed security cameras inside his Airbnb.Eoghan Corry, Editor of Air & Travel Magazine and Liz Early, Airbnb host also joined the conversation...

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to visit Antarctica? How about to live in the coldest place on Earth for an extended period? What is life like as you near the South Pole? Today on Lunchtime Live’s ‘Ask Me Anything’ Andrea was joined by Gerard Ryan from Limerick, who spent three months stationed there back in 2017.  

A survey by the Irish Council for International Students on the impact of the housing crisis on International Students has revealed some stark results.  More than 1 in 10 students said that they have been a victim of an accommodation scam while 5% of those asked had either been directly offered a room in exchange for sex or seen an ad for a room in exchange for sex. Maura, a student from Bolivia joined Andrea Gilligan to discuss...

Parents of children dealing with eating disorders are taking to the streets of Dublin today for a peaceful protest and march, calling for eating disorder services reform. Newstalk's own Sheila Naughton and others in attendance joined Andrea Gilligan on Lunchtime Live to discuss...  

Queen’s 'I Want to Break Free' has been voted the best song to clean your house to. The 1984 track has claimed the crown as the ultimate cleaning song, followed by the likes of 'I Will Survive' by Gloria Gaynor, and Cyndi Lauper’s 'Girls Just Want to Have Fun.'The song famously has an accompanying video with Freddie Mercury vacuuming in drag – which may have helped! Andrea Gilligan was joined by Scientist, Phil Smyth, Siobhan Byrne Director and owner of Body Byrne Training and Emma Maclean, Owns Macleans Cleaning Service

Is rural Ireland disadvantaged? Delivering for rural Ireland is the main focus of Fine Gael’s Special Conference tomorrow. Newstalk's Shane Coleman doesn’t think rural Ireland is disadvantaged.Andrea Gilligan was joined by listeners to discuss...

We have teamed up with Guaranteed Irish to bring you Newstalk’s Irish Christmas Guide. Over the next 4 weeks we'll feature ideas for gifting, decorations, and festive fare – all from Irish based businesses. Discover the best ideas to make Christmas all about supporting local enterprises, in association with guaranteedirishgifts.ie. This week we put our focus on festive decorations with Andrea chatting to Meadows & Byrne, ChristmasTree.ie, the Irish Handmade Glass Company & MaraBay Deco #GetTheGUnderTheTree

Róisín Tracey, who is a Sinn Féin Candidate for Ballyfermot-Drimnagh, told Lunchtime Live presenter Andrea Gilligan that she is already began receiving abuse on social media, before she’s ever even gotten a seat.

Seagulls should be put on the pill to stop them destroying towns  according to former politician Frank Godfrey in Drogheda. He says that the birds are causing absolute chaos and a contraceptive in their food is the only way of reducing their population.

The Office for National Statistics says the average age for new fathers is now 33.7 years – the highest since data collection for paternal age began in 1964. Newspaper columnist and political commentator, Alex Kane, who had his child Indy at age 62, spoke to Andrea.

Storm Debi caused much disruption yesterday as it swept across the country.  Red weather warnings were put in place for 10 counties which played havoc with public transport and school openings.  David Quinn, columnist and Iona Institute CEO, told Andrea how he thinks Met Eireann are too quick to issue red warnings. Andrea also spoke to Alan O’Reilly, of Carlow Weather and callers.

Newstalk’s Simon Tierney says that the hair transplant industry needs to stop portraying baldness as a condition that needs to be cured 

That time of week when you have the chance to put your questions to the GP. Dr Nina Byrnes joined Jess to discuss the benefits of data in medicine as well as tackling a wide range of medical queries.

A report from iWish has revealed 67% of teenage girls lack information regarding STEM careers. How do we break down barriers and encourage young women to pursue careers in STEM?Jess spoke to Caroline O'Driscoll, Corporate and International tax partner with Deloitte Ireland and co-founder of iWish, Eve O'Callaghan, a sixth-year student and STEM prefect at Mount Anville Secondary School, and Catherine Flanagan, Guidance Counsellor and TY Coordinator at Mount Anville.

TV Reviewer Sheena McGinley joined Jess to discuss her favourite boxsets to watch as the days get wintry and the evenings get dark.

It’s International Fraud Awareness Week, and we’ve teamed up with Bank of Ireland to help educate and inform how to protect our online profiles.When protecting yourself online, the rule is simple: Stop, Think, Check. Brian Honan, CEO of BH Consulting and listeners joined Jess to discuss. 

Every week, Cut-the-Cost offers tips and advice on how to save on everything from energy and the weekly shop to modern essentials like broadband and phone contracts.This time, Aoife Kearns joined Jess to unwrap the cost of wrapping paper ahead of Christmas.

Does your wearable tech help or hinder you? Does it encourage you on or just make you feel guilty if you don’t hit your goals?Fitness Goose Andrew Moore joined Jess to discuss.

There are 130,000 people with a gambling addiction in Ireland.We’re constantly being bombarded with ads to set up online betting accounts. It’s made very easy for us – but it is much harder to shut down an account than it is to close one.Jess spoke to Gambling Councillor Tony O'Reilly and other callers with personal experience of a gambling addiction.

We saw much disruption as Storm Debi swept across the country earlier this morning Red weather warnings were in place for 10 counties with power supplies, school openings and public transport affected.  But how do these weather warnings work and when are they sent out? Jess was joined by Gerry Murphy, Meteorologist and Weather Forecaster with Met Eireann. 

A letter written into the Irish Independent today detailed how someone had loaned a friend the sum of €600. The letter explained it had been two years and the friend hadn’t mentioned it since. Creating a difficult moral dilemmaBut is it ever a good idea to lend money to a friend? Does it lead to unhealthy Relationships? and how can you say no to a friend or loved one who has requested a loan?Joining Mairead Ronan to discuss this was Comedian Jim Elliot and Listeners of the show.

Have you ever wondered how animals are supplied and trained for Films and TV shows?Well for this week's edition of Ask Me Anything Mairead Ronan was joined by Eddie Drew, Animal Wrangler and Animal Co-Ordinator from Copsewood Aviaries in Bray who has been supplying animals for productions for many years

A sober festival is happening in Cork this weekend. Ecstatic Picnic aims to create a space where people can dance and connect through the medium of rave music without the hangover. The festival is open to all but is strictly a non-drug or alcohol use event.But are Gen Z ditching alcohol in favour of healthier lifestyles? When they do drink, are they doing it in a much more balanced way? And can you have a fun sober night out?To discuss this further Mairead Ronan was joined by Naoise Galvin, organiser of the festival, Natalie aka DJ Natmac, Stephanie from Babes Without Beers and Paul Walsh, Founder of Club Loosen sober rave to discussClub Loosen will be holding their New Year's Eve sober rave event on the 31st December in Complex Dublin, tickets will be announced this Monday.

Yesterday, Jozef Puska was convicted of murdering the 23-year-old primary school teacher Ashling Murphy who had gone out for a run in Tullamore, County Offaly in January last year.Mairead Ronan was joined by the CEO of Parent Line, Aileen Hickie, Gender Equality Rights Representative at UCC Alison Ní Threasaigh, Alexandra Ryan CEO of Goss.ie, Stylist Laura Mullet as well as listeners of the show to discuss.

Would you relocate to the countryside? Mairead spoke to city slickers who made the move to the countryside.

Dr Afif EL Khuffash, Consultant Neonatologist and Pediatrician at the Rotunda Hospital, spoke to Mairead about how we can spot the difference between good advice and medical misinformation when googling symptoms.

Listener Daniel got in touch about a poor experience he had in Dublin airport.Mairead Ronan spoke to Daniel and other callers about whether we are too accepting of bad service in Ireland.

'(I Am) Robbie Williams' the four-part Robbie Williams documentary has taken Netflix by storm.Mairead spoke to TV Reviewer Sheena McGinley, Former Xpose Presenter Glenda Gilson and Ray Dolan.

Keele University researchers have found that swearing can increase a person’s pain tolerance by up to 33%. The research found that swearing can help one withstand pain and even create intimacy with others.Mairead was joined by physicist, engineer and science communicator, Phil Smith and comedian, Steve Cummins to discuss the benefits of swearing.

Spotify is planning to only start paying artists for streams after a track has reached 1,000 streams.  The company is set to adjust its royalty model in 2024. A new minimum annual threshold for streams will apply for a song to become eligible for royalties.Mairead spoke to Claire Beck, DJ and Broadcaster with Today FM, singer and songwriter, Mary Coughlan and Andrew Hendy from the Mary Wallopers.

The latest annual report from Bodywhys, The Eating Disorder Assocation of Ireland, found that calls to their helpline have jumped by almost 10% compared to 2022. Mairead spoke to callers Jess, Lisa, Micheál and Eoin on their experience living with an eating disorder For more information on Bodywhys  visit www.bodywhys.ie  The Bodywhys helpline: 01 2107906 - The helpline offers a non-judgemental and confidential support and information service.  

Journalist John Gibbons posted an image of an SUV taking up half a footpath in Dun Laoighaire which sparked outrage online. Mairead Ronan asked John Gibbons and callers if it is time we ban SUVs from built up areas.

Listener Elaine got in touch in regards to the price she is paying for extra classes and activities in her child's primary school.

A Lily O'Brien's survey has revealed the most popular nicknames, which include 'Big Man', 'Ginge' and 'Spud'.Food-based nicknames such as 'Nugget' and 'Guinness ' rank highly too. Former rugby player Shane Byrne and Author and Agony Aunt Tina Koumarianos joined Andrea to chat about pet names and what they say about a person.

Abuse towards referees is certainly not a new story, but is it getting worse? And what needs to be done to deal with the problem? A Tullamore GAA player has been handed a proposed 96-week suspension for an incident which saw the referee being pushed to the ground.Mairead was joined by referees Pat, Sean, and Paul to get their take on abuse on the pitch.

Ireland’s first ever satellite is getting ready to be launched into space. EIRSAT-1, which has been developed by a team at UCD, has left Irish shores and is headed to California. It will be launched into space at the end of this month. Ireland is currently the only full member of the European Space Agency that does not have its own satellite.. Niamh Shaw, Science Communicator, Space Enthusiast and Writer, and David Moore, Editor of Astronomy Ireland magazine, joined Mairead to explain why investment in space is worth it.

When Coleen Rooney spoke about having a miscarriage in 2008, she said the grief knocked her husband Wayne "for six".Do we talk about the impact of miscarriage on male partners enough?Andrea was joined by Tony Owens of the baby loss support charity Féileacáin as well as listeners with personal experience of grief after miscarriage.If you are grieving after miscarriage, go to feileacain.ie for support.

For this week's Ask Me Anything, Andrea spoke to Soap Director Jason Brannigan, whose repertoire includes Fair City and EastEnders.

Cabinet ministers are expected to overwhelmingly approve new guidelines on the banning of smartphones in schools. Under the changes, Education Minister Norma Foley will ask parents to take a “collective decision” not to buy smartphones for children.  It follows on from the successful example of eight schools in Greystones, Co. Wicklow, where parents of primary school children agreed not to buy smartphones for their children before they enter second-level education. Listeners joined Mairead to tell her what they thought of this approach.

On this week's Ask the GP, Mairead spoke to Dr Sumi Dunne who answered your medical queries.

If you spend your free time consuming celebrity news and gossip then you might be in for some bad news.... A study has found that those obsessed with celebrities are less intelligent. Entertainment journalist Sarina Bellisimo and Presenter Conor Behan joined Mairead to discuss.

Have you heard of the Pink Tax? This week's Cut-the-Cost explains the price differences in products marketed towards women.Companies charge more for everything from razors to kid's toys when the target audience is female, and this adds up.Newstalk Reporter Aoife Kearns joined Mairead to share her top tips on how to get around the Pink Tax.

Mairead asks: has all the fun gone out of after-school activities for kids?Parents are sometimes guilty of getting involved in football teams or drama clubs and putting too much pressure on kids to excel outside of the classroom - but does this behaviour push people to do well from a young age?Listeners joined Mairead to discuss the pros and cons of encouraging competition and camaraderie among children.

E-Scooters will be banned for under 16-year-olds, the government has announced.The ban is welcomed by many, but questions have arisen regarding how the Gardaí will enforce it.While listeners joining Mairead mainly agreed that some sort of regulation was necessary, some expressed concern about the age ban and its shortcomings.