Lunchtime Live

Actress Scarlett Johansson has spoken out about suffering from crippling acne for years. She said that when she was 14, she was told that her face looked like the surface of a volcano. Have you suffered from the skin condition? And how has it affected you? Andrea Gilligan was joined by callers dealing with acne...

Damien a taxi driver in Dublin joined Andrea Gilligan on the show to discuss the difficulties facing taxi drivers in dropping off and collecting passengers at Dublin Airport...

The Irish Hotels Federation has said it’s members are reporting a large increase in inquiries from people looking for pet-friendly accommodation. People are no longer willing to pay for the kennel or ask their relatives – so they are bringing their pooches with them! And in response to the demand, many hotels around the country have stepped up their doggy offerings. Andrea Gilligan was joined by callers to discuss if Ireland is dog friendly enough...

Weather presenter, Evelyn Cusack, announced she is retiring today after 42 years at Met Éireann. Andrea was joined by Alan O'Reilly from Carlow Weather to chat how obsessed Irish people are with talking about the weather.

Ireland saw one of the biggest increases in the number of adults living with their parents. Between 2010 and 2019 the number of 25–34-year-olds living with their parents increased by 6% between 2010 and 2019, according to figures released today by EU agency Eurofound . The study coincides with the publication of census findings that show a drop in overall homeownership of 4% between 2011 and 2022. Andrea spoke to callers about their experience being adults living at home and parents who have their adult children living at home.

A naturist in the UK, Helen Berriman, has caused a stir on social media after appearing naked on Good Morning Britain. Currently, Irish law says being naked in itself is not illegal. In order for an offence to be committed the person exposing themselves must intend to cause fear, distress or alarm to another person. Should nude bathing be made illegal? Would you ever bare all when going for a dip? Andrea was joined by members of the Irish Naturist Association and callers to discuss if we should embrace nude beaches in Ireland.

Road rage – is it something you have ever been on the tail end of? Two thirds of Irish motorists have experienced aggressive behaviour on the roads – a new survey has revealed. 29% of motorists have experienced verbal abuse, whilst 3.6% - 32 of those surveyed - said that they have been physically abused on the roads. Is this common on our roads? Or have you had a bad experience of this happen to you? Andrea was joined by listeners to discuss...

Tech industry leaders have issued a stark warning about the threat of Artificial Intelligence saying it could lead to the extinction of humanity. Recently, ChatGPT has been used to complete assignments, the controversial use of AI to create art and music. In the jobs market it is claimed that the use of AI could be as transformative as the Industrial Revolution - a recent report by investment bank Goldman Sachs says that AI could replace the equivalent of 300 million full-time jobs. Are you worried about the rise of AI? Andrea was joined by listeners and professionals to discuss…

The Census 2022 findings have been released today. It is the first time in 171 years that Ireland's population exceeded the five million threshold. There were 5,149,139 people in the State as of last April 2022, an 8% increase since 2016. There were more interesting findings from religion, working from home, commuting and home ownership! Andrea was joined by Newstalk’s Sean O’Regan, Father Paddy Byrne, Parish priest in Abbeyleix and Raheen in County Laois, Feljin José, Chairperson of Dublin Commuter Coalition and many more to discuss.

Love Island is set to return to our screens on Monday. Andrea was joined by Orlaith Condon the host of the 'My Pod on Paper' podcast and listener Ben to discuss if reality TV shows like this have a role in our society. Are shows like this damaging for young viewers or do they open up conversations that we otherwise wouldn’t have?

St. Vincent de Paul has published new report today which found that 87% of parents cut back or delay spending in order to pay school voluntary contributions. The study polled 1,447 parents, who had made voluntary contributions to schools ranging between €30 to €550. Is there a pressure to pay voluntary contribution in schools? Andrea was joined by listeners to discuss their experience with paying the voluntary contribution.

Andrea was joined by Frances to discuss mental health and the importance of checking in on young people. If you’ve been affected by any of the issues discussed, there is help available at www.samaritans.ie or www.pieta.ie

Is it time we looked at redrawing our county borders? Associate Professor of Politics at DCU, Dr Eoin O'Malley thinks so. Andrea was joined by callers to get their views...

It’s the story that just keeps rumbling on – Philip Schofield. This Morning went ahead as usual this morning, with Presenters Allison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary acknowledging that "we know we happen to be in the news at the moment". Brendan O’Loughlin, Presenter of 98FM'S Big Breakfast joined Andrea with the latest...

There are more short-term holiday lets available on Airbnb than long-term rentals listed on Daft.ie in all 26 counties. That is according to new data compiled by Newstalk Chief Reporter Barry Whyte. There are almost 100-times more properties available on Airbnb for short-term let in Co Kerry than rental properties on Daft. In west Donegal, for example, there are 572 properties available on Airbnb - with just one rental property on Daft for €2,800 a month. Is this problem getting out of hand? Just last week we saw homelessness figures reach an all time high 12,259 registered homeless in Ireland in April. Andrea was joined by callers to discuss...

Cork woman, Georgina O’Shea and her husband Ken, have welcomed a new miracle baby girl after 23 miscarriages. Georgina joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live to discuss her story...

Have you ever felt intimidated when going to the gym? A new trend on TikTok has seen people addressing and calling out what is known as ‘Gym-Timidation’. Andrea was joined by Gillian Hynes, owner and personal trainer from Body Project and other listeners to discuss...

Writing in the Irish Independent today, Anne Atkins says the implication that a grandparent has nothing better to do with their time than provide free childcare – all day, every day – is downright demeaning. Do you think grandparents should be paid for minding their own grandchildren? Andrea was joined by listeners to discuss…

Tina Turner - one of rock's great vocalists and most charismatic performers - has died aged 83, her spokesperson has confirmed. In a statement, they said: "Tina Turner, the 'Queen of Rock'n Roll' has died peacefully today at the age of 83 after a long illness in her home in Kusnacht near Zurich, Switzerland. Andrea was joined by listeners to hear their memories of the legendary singer…

Dublin Airport has warned passengers that there are no more spaces in its car parks for the coming days. 6,200 spaces that were previously available have been taken out of the system following the sale of the Quick Park facility. Andrea was joined by listeners to discuss...

It’s 11 years today since Wexford Student Nicola Furlong was murdered in Tokyo, a crime that shook the Country. Nicola’s dad Andrew joined Andrea Gilligan on the show...

France has banned domestic short-haul flights where train alternatives exist, in a bid to cut carbon emissions – is that something we should consider too? Andrea Gilligan was joined by callers to discuss...

Following conversations had here on Lunchtime Live in recent months around bullying and harassment in our health service – there was a commitment made by the Oireachtas Health Committee to look at these issues around the health, safety and well-being of our front-line health workers. The HSE were before an Oireachtas Health Committee again today. Andrea Gilligan was joined by David Cullinane, Sinn Féín TD and party Health Spokesperson...

The GAA are to clamp down and bring sanctions against those involved in providing any form of competition for players under the age of 12. The association has reminded counties that there “is no facility, under association rule, for any competitive aspect within these games”. As it stands all games played at U12 level and below are under the banner of Go Games, which are intended to be non-competitive. This clampdown will mean that any blitzes or events involving players under 12 can no longer include any form of score-keeping or competitive, knockout element, with no finals, winners or losers. Andrea Gilligan was joined by Cahair O’Kane, Sports Journalist with the Irish News and others to discuss...

The ‘miracle’ weight loss drug Ozempic is continuing to see shortages in Ireland The drug has only been approved to treat Type 2 Diabetes but demands from patients with obesity who are prescribed the drug ‘off-label' is contributing to the ongoing lack of supply. Clare McKenna was joined by Ashley and Susie, who are on Ozempic and also Sheena Mitchell, who runs Milltown Totalhealth pharmacy in Dublin – Sheena you have been doing some research into this ongoing struggle for patients...

Steven O'Riordan joined Clare McKenna on Lunchtime Live to discuss an attempt by two men to steal his dog, Molly. Aontú leader and TD for Meath, Peadar Tóibín also joined the conversation to discuss pet thieves and how they are dealt with...

A drug testing regime, introduced at Electric Picnic last year is to be rolled out to other big festivals this year. It is part of the HSE's drug harm-reduction campaign with people encouraged to anonymously surrender drugs for testing. A pilot drug checking scheme at Electric Picnic last September detected high potency MDMA pills, powders and crystals and a new substance 3-CMC. Clare McKenna was joined by Sophie Ridley, the Safety Officer at Life Festival and others to discuss...

From busy hairdresser in her early twenties to undergoing dialysis in hospital three days a week for four to five hours at a time – Trudy Haye’s life changed drastically, all in the blink of an eye. Trudy joined Clare McKenna on Lunchtime Live to discuss her father and mother both donating their kidneys to her...

A survey carried out by Leitrim County Council survey shows 60 per cent of millennial's would think about moving to another part of the country with one in five of them now working remotely. Clare McKenna was joined by Alan Mulrooney, Chief Executive of Western Development Commission and listeners to discuss...

Eoghan, a listener and member of the band The Buachaills got in touch with Lunchtime Live about the lack of late night motorway facilities throughout Ireland. Clare McKenna spoke to Eoghan, and other musicians, truck drivers and night shift workers on Lunchtime Live...

350 bike bunkers had been proposed for Clontarf, but with no sign of them yet. Siobhan Kelly took matters in to her own hands and put her own bike storage in her front garden. All was fine until she received a letter from the council…

Tomorrow night Katie Taylor is having her long-awaited homecoming fight against Chantelle Cameron in the 3Arena in Dublin. This is the first big boxing event to be held in Dublin since the 2016 Regency Hotel shooting, which took place during a weigh-in for an event that would have been held at the National Stadium. You would wonder - has boxing developed a negative image in recent years? Recently retired assistant garda commissioner John O’Driscoll has said that boxing has been unfairly maligned due to its association with criminal gangs. What do you think? Does boxing have a bad reputation?

A charity that deals with addiction treatment says cocaine is now ‘as accessible as packet of cigarettes’. Where are they getting it? Pubs? Nightclubs? And it’s not just our cities – our rural towns and villages have just as big a problem. Are there more young people using the drug now more than ever and what needs to be done to crack down on this problem?

Addressing his parishioners of St John’s Parish Falls Road this week, Fr Martin Magill criticised parents who don’t give money to the church after sacraments such as baptism, communion and confession. Adrian Kennedy was joined on Lunchtime Live by listeners to discuss...

Gardaí are continuing to investigate the assault of a teenage boy in Navan. Gardaí have appealed with people not to re-share footage of the incident that has been circulated on social media. The video highlights the fact that the issue of bullying is alive and well in our schools and amongst our young people. Adrian Kennedy was joined on Lunchtime Live to discuss their experiences of bullying...

Talks are due to take place today over the opposition of some Clare locals to the housing of male asylum seekers at a hotel in Inch.

Plans to recruit 1000 new gardai this year are already 32% behind target- but why are the numbers so low? Is being a Guard still an attractive career?

Author Salman Rushdie has slammed the trend of making PC edits and rewrites to books. Should that apply also to Ian Fleming's novels? Would you like to see James Bond series more politically corrected or you find the idea of revoking older books damaging?

Climate Minister Eamon Ryan is calling for the use of disposable cups and plates to be stopped in public sector canteens. Under a new mandate, being discussed this morning, there are also plans for parking in public sector workplaces to be phased out. Andrea was joined by Mindy O’Brien from VOICE of Irish Concern for the Environment and listeners to discuss...

A new DCU study published today reveals the hostility and abuse that women in journalism have faced online in Ireland. Andrea Gilligan was joined by former Wexford camogie player and pundit and Ivanna Youtchak from the National Women’s Council to discuss... Image: RTÉ

A new study has shown that most workers would like to retire at 60, with others eager to leave employment at an even younger age. Andrea Gilligan was joined by listeners to discuss...

From the return of the tea trolley to rail routes - Barry Kenny from Irish Rail joined us today to answer your questions.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has condemned the violence that saw a homeless refugee camp set on fire on Friday evening. There was a stand-off between anti-immigration protestors and those who were counter protesting in support of refugees. Has this extremism gone too far? We discussed on the show today.

Are we having enough conversations with our children about pornography? And, are we having these conversations at a young enough age? A new study in the UK shows how porn can link to sexually harmful behaviour in children. Andrea discussed the issue today on the show.

Chinese online fashion retailer SHEIN is setting up a headquarters in Dublin, creating 30 jobs – but should we be encouraging fast fashion companies in Ireland?

Mary Immaculate College have launched a campaign to encourage male school leaver to get apply for primary school teaching on their CAO. Do we have a lack of male teachers in our primary schools?

It seems like every day or every other day in the US now we are hearing about mass shootings. It has come to a point now where it rarely even registers as news anymore. That is part of a longer video which gives advice on what to do if you are in a mass shooting situation in the US. So we asked our listeners today, are they afraid to visit US?

A new NHS Workforce Apprenticeship Scheme plans to fix shortages of staff in the UK. A third of nurses could be trained through this vocational, more hands-on path, as soon as they finish up in school. With an ongoing crisis in our own healthcare system, is this something we should be looking at introducing here?

Klaw - The Seafood Café located in Temple Bar have experienced their third break in four months Andrea was joined by Niall Sabongi, owner of Klaw, based on Sprangers Yard in Temple Bar and Luca from Rosa Madre in Temple Bar to discuss...

Kildare Camogie have expressed their disgust at their county board’s decision to withdraw them from the All-Ireland championship. Irish women continue to create waves in sport across the world, but why are things like the lack of facilities, no showers, no changing rooms still being discussed. Andrea Gilligan was joined by Sinead O’Carroll, Camogie Player and Editor of the Journal.ie and All-Ireland winning Cork camogie player Ashling Thompson to discuss...