Lunchtime Live

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...

Primary schools have warned parents that a growing trend towards taking pupils out of school for holidays is disrupting children’s education and may trigger notifications to social services. New figures compiled by Tusla show the estimated number of such extended absences due to holidays jumped from 60,000-65,000 in 2019 to 350,000 in 2021. What do you make of parents taking children out during term for a holiday? Andrea was joined by listeners to discuss...

Did you feel comfortable taking maternity leave? Minister for Justice Helen McEntee has said that she is sure 'some people didn't approve' of her taking maternity leave for a second time. Andrea was joined on Lunchtime Live by Clontarf Councillor Catherine Stocker, Dr Niamh Flanagan, Assistant Professor of Social Policy in the Department if Applied Social Studies, Maynooth University, Siobhan O’Neill White founder of Mams.ie and Labour Party South Dublin County Councillor Joanna Tuffy...

The Leaving Cert is in full swing but should teachers be able to achieve a H1, the highest grade, in the subject that they teach? Andrea was joined by Jonathan Walker, Principal of Ringsend College, Derval, a secondary school and Graham to discuss...

Fine Gael TD Neale Richmond has warned the public to be vigilant after a group of climate change activists deflated car tyres in the Churchtown area of Dublin Dozens of cars were found with all four tyres flat yesterday morning with an accompanying note, that explained: ‘We have deflated one or more of your tyres...We did this because driving around urban areas in your massive vehicle has huge consequences for others.' Andrea was joined on Lunchtime Live by listeners to discuss... Image: Twitter via @nealerichmond

Aslan front man and Irish music ledgend, Christy Dignam, passed away yesterday evening aged 63. His death is a massive loss to the country. I am joined now on the line by fans of Christy’s...

Harry Styles lit up Slane Castle over the weekend, but since the big night, Lunchtime Live has received a number of emails from listeners talking about their experience of buying ‘platinum tickets’. Andrea was joined by Sharon and presenter of The Home Show on Newstalk, Sinead Ryan to discuss...

Five independent Senators say they want to allow the State to award citizens in recognition of exceptional achievement. The proposed system, known as Gradam an Uachtaráin, would comprise of a medal to be worn on special occasions, a lapel button and an entitlement to use the letters ‘GU’ after their name – similar to being ‘knighted in the UK’. The idea is being debated in the Seanad today. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said that the Government would be “reluctant” to introduce it here. Andrea was joined by Senator Gerard Craughwell and listeners to discuss...

A new Oireachtas committee, formed to consider the issue of assisted dying, has held it's first public meeting this morning. Andrea was joined on Lunchtime Live by Denise, Michael, Noel and others to discuss...

Summer is here and everyone is heading on holidays. But would you go away just for one day and would it be worth the price? Andrea was joined on Lunchtime Live by travel writer Joan Scales, Matthew, Michaela and Katie to discuss...

Noel Anderson, Managing Director at The Bridge 1859 in Ballsbridge joined Andrea GiIlligan on Lunchtime Live after Hollywood Legend Morgan Freeman paid a visit to the pub over the weekend... Image: @NoelAnderson_ on Twitter

A new bike rack has been installed in the outdoor seating area of Dublin’s Street 66 bar. The bar's application for renewal of outdoor seating was rejected last Friday evening. With just days to go until Dublin Pride, the bike rack was erected over the weekend causing outrage online. Andrea was joined by Siobhan Comny, Owner of Street 66 Bar, Liam De Brún, Journalist with Extra.ie, Paul Keville, Owner of Stoned Pizza Takeaway on Parliament Street, Cllr Claire Byrne, Green Party Councillor in Dublin and many more to discuss... Image: @st66dublin on Twitter

Gone Girl actress Rosamund Pike has said the wellness industry is a 'con'. Has the wellness industry gone too far? Does it put unnecessary pressure on people to look and behave a certain way? Andrea Gilligan was joined by David Robert Grimes, Scientist, Broadcaster and Author of the Irrational Ape, Newstalk’s wellness guru and Presenter of Alive and Kicking, Clare McKenna, Gillian Hynes from BodyProject and many more to discuss...

‘Dublin is a dirty, smelly, sticky old town once again’, so says Una Mullally in today’s Irish Times. She argues that during the summer months, in particular, Dublin suffers from a lack of waste management and that the council seem to include ‘rainfall’ as part of their clean up plans. Andrea was joined by listeners on Lunchtime Live to discuss...

Would you bare all for charity? Tomorrow, for the 10th year in a row, over one thousand ladies are braving the elements for the annual Strip and Dip in aid of Aoibheann’s Pink Tie - Ireland’s National Children’s Cancer Charity. Andrea was joined by Anne Howard, Siobhan Gleeson, Catherine Farrell Finan and Siobhan Gregg to discuss… Image: Strip and Dip

Wicklow has become a hub for TV and movie production in Ireland – both for domestic projects and huge international hits. Most recently including the likes of Cocaine Bear, Disenchanted and popular TV series Vikings. But what makes Wicklow the Hollywood of Ireland? Andrea was joined by Elaine Geraghty, Managing Director of Ardmore Studios and Eoin Naughton from Claremont Screenhub...

As part of Newstalks Summer Tour, Lunchtime Live was LIVE from the picturesque village of Enniskerry, nestled in the Wicklow mountains. Famous for Powerscourt house and gardens, but what else has the village got to offer? Lana Condron from the School House for Art in Enniskerry gave Andrea a guided tour. Andrea also met with Peter Norton, the owner of Poppies in Enniskerry...

As Newstalk's Summer Tour continues, Lunchtime Live was LIVE from the Powerscourt Hotel & Gardens in Wicklow. While there, Andrea Gilligan got the chance to sit down and chat with 'Lady in Red' singer and local, Chris de Burgh...

The booze industry is huge in Wicklow – adding to the tourism in the area and taking full advantage of the picturesque surroundings. Wicklow has become known for it’s spirits, beers and even wines as discovered last year on Lunchtime Live. Andrea was joined in the Powerscourt Hotel by Simon Lynch, Co-Founder of Wicklow Wolf, John Cashman, Head of Brand at Powerscourt Distillery and Brett Stephenson, Co-Founder and Winemaker at Wicklow Way Wines...

Lunchtime Live kicks off Newstalk's Summer Tour in Powerscourt Hotel in the Garden County - but what makes Wicklow so special? Andrea Gilligan was joined by gardener, Diarmuid Gavin, journalist, Valerie Cox and broadcaster and author, Emer O’Neill to chat...

Living with psychosis is something very few of us will understand. Psychosis refers to a collection of mental health conditions that affect the brain’s “ability to process information”. During psychosis, people experience a loss of touch with reality. Which could mean things like hallucinations – hearing voices or phones, believing you’re being watched, followed or even attacked. Andrea was joined by Lisa, Karen and Conor to discuss...

Ireland has highest levels of loneliness in Europe. That is according to the first ever EU-wide survey on loneliness which found that over 20% of respondents in Ireland responded reported feeling lonely. How hard is it to maintain friendships once you get to a certain age? Is it difficult to make new friends in midlife? Andrea was joined by listeners on Lunchtime Live to discuss...

Marks and Spencer have said they’re getting rid of use-by dates from its fresh milk. They’re replacing them with best-before dates. And we’re being told to use the ‘sniff test’ on milk from now on, to see if it’s still good. Milk is apparently the third most wasted food and drink product, after potatoes and bread. Should we be getting rid of best before dates everywhere? Should we be sniffing rashers and yoghurts? Andrea was joined by Angela Ruttledge from Foodcloud and other listeners to discuss..

Do you take your shoes off when you go into someone else's house? Or are you annoyed when people don’t take their shoes off when they come into your house? Journalist Stefanie Preissner joined Andrea to discuss why she has a no shoes indoors policy…

Are secondary school summer holidays too long here in Ireland? Speaking to Newstalk earlier, columnist & teacher Jennifer Horgan argued that secondary school should run a month longer to ease the breakneck pace of our school year. What do you think? Are secondary school summer holidays too long? Would you support a shorter break if it meant a more relaxed pace year-round? Andrea was joined by listeners to discuss...

Andrea travelled through both Virginia and Carrick-on-Shannon over the weekend. The heavy traffic in both areas highlights the need for both towns to be bypassed. Plans have been in the pipeline for years but never implemented. Andrea was joined by Councillor TP Reilly, Patrick Farrelly, Chairperson of the Virginia Development Association, Carrick on Shannon Councillor Enda Stenson and other locals to discuss...

Global superstar Harry Styles brings his Love On Tour show to Slane Castle this weekend. With tickets already sold out crowds are expected to descend on the Meath venue from early Saturday morning. Unfortunately for some concert-goers the majority of bus transfers to the gig have been sold out leaving many with no travel options. Sharon and Charlene joined Andrea Gilligan on the show to discuss...

Gardaí were forced to evacuate a Burrow Beach in Sutton, Dublin over the weekend following a mass brawl which broke out between groups of teenagers. With the good weather is set to continue, is this something which is going to become more of an issue? How do we tackle this sort of behaviour on our beaches? Andrea was joined by local residents and listeners to discuss... Image: Padraig O'Reilly Photographer

Samantha O'Connor's husband Darren is suffering from Long Covid since contracting it in October 2021. 18 months on and they’re desperately trying to get him a bed in the National Rehabilitation Hospital. Samantha O'Connor joined Andrea Gilligan on the show to tell her story...