Lunchtime Live

Keith Russell was just 12 years of age when his struggles with body dysmorphia and disordered eating began. Now, years on, he wants more men to speak out about their body image struggles. Keith joined Andrea in studio to discuss...

Every year nurses, teacher and many other professions have to pay a retention fee to stay registered in their profession. With a shortage of healthcare staff in Ireland, what is this fee being put towards? Andrea was joined by nurses, Ciara, Ralph and Caroline...

Motorists are set to be hit again with increased toll prices – some going up by 60 cent per journey. Inflation is blamed on the rising cost. Andrea was joined by road users around the country to discuss...

We kick off our ‘Buying Irish’ series today, with thanks to Champion Green, Ireland’s Support Local Campaign. Champion Green and Lunchtime Live are encouraging local people to support local business and jobs this Christmas. First up, Irish toys. Andrea was joined by Damien Murtagh, Founder of Arckit, Kevin from Gosling Gifts & Games, Jenel from Clever Tots Toy Club, Michael from Ro Óg and Sharon Keilthy from Jiminy Eco Toys…

Jason, a listener, got in touch with the show to highlight bullying his 13-year-old son received in his secondary school. His son who has dyspraxia and autism and was being bullied by others in his class and Jason had difficulty with the staff at the school about resolving the issue... Other listeners John, Ciarán and Tracy also got in touch with their experiences...

Children in Need, one of the biggest TV events in the UK kicks off this weekend. Andrea was asking should kids have to go on national TV and disclose their illness or trauma in order for people to donate to helping charities? Andrea was joined by Carmel Doyle, CEO of Jack and Jill, Bernard Mulvaney from Access for All and Evie to discuss...

Broadcaster, Síle Seoige has revealed her and her partner have made the decision to no longer show their son Cathal's face on social media. Do you share photos of your children on social media or is it something that is off-limits? Andrea was joined by Caroline Foran, author and host of the Stretch Marks podcast and other listeners to discuss...

Gambling ads are to be banned on television and radio until late at night under plans to be approved by Cabinet today. The Gambling Regulation Bill, likely to come into effect next summer, will fundamentally change the rules of gambling in Ireland. Under the new law people will have to opt-in to receive gambling ads online and those who fail to protect children from gambling could face up to eight years in prison. Andrea was joined by Westmeath hurler, Davy Glennon and listeners David and Noel to discuss... Image: Sportsfile

The Irish Dental Association have given a stark warning to people against travelling abroad to get your teeth done. Amanda Turner and Noreen Keegan Kavanagh joined Andrea to tell her about their experiences of botched dental procedures they had abroad...

Residents of the George’s Quay area in Dublin are getting increasingly worried about the growing levels of local violence from young teenagers. Reports say incidents involving gangs are happening weekly in the area and that it’s only a matter of time before someone is seriously hurt. Andrea was joined local Councillor Ray McAdam, Local Resident Mark Fay and Alan Robinson, Dublin Docklands Business Forum to discuss...

Cervical cancer campaigner Vicky Phelan has died at the age of 48. She passed away at Milford Hospice in Limerick in the early hours of this morning. Clare McKenna was joined to remember Vicky by Senator Lynn Ruane, Newstalk's Frank Greaney, Louise O'Reilly TD, Orla O'Connor from the National Women's Council, John Wall, cancer advocate and others...

Clare McKenna was joined on Lunchtime Live by Síle Seoige, Broadcaster and Host of Ready to be Real and Former Mayor of Limerick Daniel Butler to remember Vicky Phelan, who sadly passed away at the age of 48...

Cervical cancer campaigner Vicky Phelan has died at the age of 48. David Brennan, lifelong friend of Vicky Phelan joined Clare McKenna on Lunchtime Live to remember his friend and the legacy she has left behind... Image: vickyphelanportrait.com

E-bikes and e-scooters are a common topic of discussion with a huge rise in the numbers you see on our roads. A tweet by Katie Harrington has suggested that we should give every child in the country an e-bike when they turn 16 in a bid to cut down on cars on the road, and cultivate a cycling culture. Katie and other listeners joined Adrian Kennedy on Lunchtime Live to discuss the idea…

How do age gap relationships work? Michael and Aaron Flynn-Shore met in New York and instantly hit it off, despite their 37 year age gap. They have just celebrated their 2nd wedding anniversary and joined Adrian Kennedy in studio to chat about how they met and life since marriage...

The price of your pint could be going up. If you’re a Heineken drinker, or any of their other brands like Birra Moretti, Orchard Thieves, Coors, Fosters, Beamish and Murphy's - your pint is likely going up by about 50 cent next month. This is due to Heineken increasing the price of a keg by 9 per cent. Adrian Kennedy was joined by Michael Coyne, owner of Coynes Gastropub in Kilkieran, Connemara in Co. Galway, Pauline Fay, the owner of Fay's Pub in Drumconrath in Co. Meath and Ger Hough, the owner of JJ Hough’s Pub in Banagher, Co. Offaly…

We are in the middle of peak season for baby seals being born! With their big puppy dog eyes, it can be hard to resist the temptation to go up to them. But what people don’t realise is this can scare off their mums who then abandon them. Melanie Croce, Executive Director Seal Rescue Ireland, joined Sean on the show to discuss...

There are fresh concerns today about the number of hotel and guesthouse beds being used to house refugees around the country. The Irish tourism industry have said that if something doesn’t change soon, it will have an enormous knock on effect for the sector next year. Adrian Kennedy was joined on Lunchtime Live by Niall Kelleher, Councillor and Mayor of Killarney, Fianna Fail Councillor Cillian Murphy in Clare and Anthony Gray, Owner, Eala Bhan and Hooked Restaurants in Sligo, Chair of Sligo Tourism to discuss…

Are there enough late-night options available for non-drinkers in Ireland? Starbucks Cafe on St Stephen’s Green in Dublin which was apparently the only 24/7 operated in Ireland - has closed its doors. Adrian Kennedy was joined by Vaughan Yates from The Virgin Mary Bar, Lisa Curran from the Virtue Club, a non-alcoholic nightclub operating in Kerry and other listeners to discuss…

Should more be down to protect island communities off the coast of Ireland? New research shows that West Cork islands are 'at risk of the loss of entire communities' due to the housing crisis. Adrian Kennedy was joined by John Walsh, who lives on Bere Island, Máirtín Ó Méalóid, who lives on Cape Clear and Dr Siobhan O’Sullivan, lecturer in Social Policy in the School of Applied Social Studies at UCC to discuss…

Changes being proposed to social welfare would mean people who earn more money would get higher welfare payments if they lose their jobs. The new system would see different welfare payments offered depending on the person’s previous income or PRSI contributions. It is also said that there will be a cap on the maximum weekly payments. Adrian Kennedy was joined by Brid O'Brien, Head of Policy and Media for the Irish National Organisation of the Unemployed, John Barry, from MSS the HR People and listeners Gary, Colm and Dave to discuss…

The Crown, season 5 is released on Netflix today. The series, which dramatizes the lives of the Royal family, has come under fire for bending the truth. Some critics say the show is mainly a work of fiction and have called for disclaimers on each episode Adrian Kennedy was joined by Sinead Ryan, Presenter of the Home Show on Newstalk and Royal Expert, and other listeners to discuss…

It’s been discovered that more than €42m in public funds was paid out in prize money at horse races last year. If you compare that to the combined annual funding for other sports organisations in Ireland like the GAA, the FAI, the IRFU, Special Olympics, Swim Ireland, Athletics Ireland and more, is €15 million. One of the factors that seems to be bothering people is the fact that the owners of racehorses who win the prize money do not have to pay tax on them, but trainers and jockeys do. Adrian Kennedy was joined by Paul Murphy, People Before Profit TD for Dublin South West, Daragh O’Conchuir, Freelance sports journalist and Catherine Woods, vegan and an animal rights activist to discuss…

The No. 1 podcast series hosted by Newstalk’s Court Correspondent, Frank Greaney returns for a second series. ‘Inside the Crime’ investigates the unsolved murder of RTÉ set designer, Charles Self. The new series of Inside The Crime tells the story of Charles Self, a young gay man who was murdered in Dublin 40 years ago. Subscribe now at newstalk.com/insidethecrime or wherever you get your podcasts.

Many parents throughout Ireland are continuing to campaign to be recognised as parents of their children born through surrogacy. Clare McKenna was joined on Lunchtime Live by Emma Meagher, and her sisters, Laura and Victoria. They told their story of how at the age of 17, Emma was told she couldn’t carry children but her sisters and best-friend Leigh, carried Emma’s eggs through surrogacy…

As mid-term is over and we're back to full schooling until the Christmas break, there have been more calls to get rid of homework. Do you do your children’s homework with them in the evening? Does it help in knowing what level your child is on? Clare McKenna was joined by journalist, Jen Hogan, Gemma Maher, Principal of Rathcoole Educate Together National School, Eric, a teacher in Limerick and and Alva in Sligo to discuss…

With a growing shortage of available graveyard space is it time for Ireland to move away from burials and towards alternatives? Clare McKenna was joined by Brid McGowan from Foley & McGowans Funeral home in Sligo and McGowan’s Funeral Directors in Mayo, Darragh O’Callaghan from Shannon Crematorium, Colin Mc Ateer, from The Green Graveyard Company and other listeners to discuss…

Should rich countries pay compensation to vulnerable nations hit by climate change? A June report by 55 vulnerable countries estimated their combined climate-linked losses over the last two decades totaled over 525 billion euro – should richer nations go some way in compensating these losses? That is one item on the agenda at the COP27 UN climate conference taking place in Egypt at the moment. Clare McKenna was joined by listeners to discuss this and the other impacts of climate change and what people can do in the face of the climate crisis...

Hare and Fox hunting season is upon us again, and as happens with every year, there are calls for it to be banned. Fox hunting season starts properly in November, and continues through to March. It's banned in the UK, so is it time we followed suit? Clare McKenna was joined by Aideen Yourell, Spokesperson for Ban Blood Sports, Dickie Power is on the line from the Hunting Association of Ireland and others to discuss...

Stephen Moran, owner of Yeah Burger Restaurant Group joined Claire McKenna on Lunchtime Live to tell her about a good samaritan who saved him from getting a parking ticket. Other listeners got in touch about some random acts of kindness that they have experienced….

Twitter employs 500 people in Dublin, but many of those will be receiving emails today informing them whether they still have a job, or not. Adrian Weckler, Tech Editor with the Irish Independent and Laura Harmon, equality campaigner joined Claire McKenna on Lunchtime Live to discuss Elon Musk's takeover and the layoff's he is imposing...

Thousands of families across the country have started to get their double child benefit this week. As part of the cost of living crisis, this month’s payment will be €480 instead of the usual €240. One woman in today’s papers is saying that since she would probably just spend it on extra Christmas presents, she plans to give the extra money to someone who needs it more. Claire McKenna was joined by Louise Bayliss, Spokesperson for SPARK (Single Parents Acting for the Rights of Kids) and Fergus Finlay, Former CEO of Barnardos and Columnist with the Irish Examiner to discuss…

The shortage of taxis is a topic that we’ve returned to several times on the show. However, a listener, Danny, who is a taxi driver, got in touch with the show about an issue he is having trying to get a grant to make his taxi accessible...

On Lunchtime Live, Andrea has covered the topic of phantom buses frequently. New NTA figures show a jump in scheduled buses that didn’t run. Is this something that has affected you? Andrea was joined by James, a Dublin Bus driver, Eibhlin Seoighthe from the Galway Commuter Coalition and other listeners to discuss…

A quarter of employees have had their accent mocked, criticised or singled out in a professional setting, according to new research. 30% of students cited the same problem in university. Have you ever felt singled out because of your accent? Has it ever proved a disadvantage for you in a work setting? Andrea was joined by Aoife Grace Moore, Political correspondent for Sunday Times Ireland and listeners to discuss…

'I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here' is returning to our screens this weekend. A huge part of the show’s appeal is the horrible trials they’re made do, often being locked into dark passages full of creepy crawlies. However, there are renewed suggestions that live animals shouldn’t be used in any part of the TV show. Andrea Gilligan was joined on Lunchtime Live by James Hennessy, The Reptile Zoo Director and Laura Broxson, Founder of the National Animal Rights Association to discuss...

Endometriosis is something we spoke extensively about on the show this year – hearing stories of the many, many women affected by the condition. This week Senator Lynn Ruane and some other female colleagues are writing to the Oireachtas Health Committee and the Department of Health, calling on them to take leadership on this issue and help those affected. Senator Lynn Ruane and Patricia joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live to discuss their experiences...

Do people still respect personal space boundaries? Ave tweeted about a man on the bus sitting too close to her on Monday evening. She ended up getting off the bus a stop early to get away from him. Ave joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live alongside other listeners to discuss respecting personal space and boundaries...

Is food labelling clear enough? Can you tell where your food is really coming from? And if not, is that something that bothers you? Andrea was joined by Noel from Drogheda, Shane McAuliffe a pig farmer in Kerry and MTU Lecturer, Nick Lynch from Nicks Fish, Kieran Rumley, Executive Director at Love Irish Food and others to discuss…

Ireland will see a ‘frightening’ wave of delayed cancer diagnoses next year – that's according to Taoiseach Michéal Martin. Diagnosis are not the only the only thing experiencing delays – there is also backlog in people receiving treatment. Andrea was joined on Lunchtime Live by Dara McDonagh and a listener Barbara, who both had breast cancer...

Meteorologist, Joanna Donnelly joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live after her son's bike was stolen at the weekend. Joanna and her other son's bike were also stolen this past year...

A new study claims The Pope could bring about a major reduction in global carbon emissions if he urged Catholics to stop eating meat on a Friday. A return to the tradition could apparently make a huge difference to the environment. Would you consider going meat free on a Friday, to cut back carbon emissions? Andrea was joined on Lunchtime Live by Darina McCafferty, owner of vegetarian restaurant Cornucopia, Cork Fishmonger, Pat O'Connell, Sustainable Chef, Rozanne Stevens and other listeners to discuss…

Do soap operas still have a place in society or are they facing extinction? Actor Claudia Carroll, who played Nicola in Fair City and Hollyoaks writer Alan Flanagan joined Andrea Gilligan to discuss. Other listeners and fans of soap operas got in touch to give their view too...

The live animal crib outside Dublin’s Mansion House has been a Christmas staple for the past 27 years. However, a decision has been made by the Lord Mayor to cancel the event. This has been met with huge disappointment by regular visitors to the annual showpiece. Andrea was joined by Former Lord Mayor and Labour Cllr, Dermot Lacey, Melanie Finn, Entertainment Correspondent with the Irish Independent, Rachel Batten, Fianna Fáil Councillor and Dublin City Council Protocol Committee Member and listeners to discuss...

'Tis the season of spookiness and superstitions. Black cats are on the prowl and no one wants to visit the house with 13 on the door. Is there any science behind our fears about breaking mirrors, walking under ladders or unlucky number 13? Scientist, Phil Smyth from Simply Science joined Andrea alongside some listeners to discuss...

Michaela McCollum's docuseries ‘High: Confessions of an Ibiza Drug Mule’ was released on Netflix at the weekend. Michaela, who was jailed for two years in Peru, when she and Melissa Reid dubbed the 'Peru Two' – were found with €1.6 milion worth of cocaine in 2013. Andrea was joined by Frank Greaney, Newstalk’s Courts Correspondent and Presenter of Inside the Crime, Brendan Kelly, Professor of Psychiatry at Trinity College, and Nikki from Citywest, to discuss...

The Dublin City Marathon returns this weekend after three years off due to the Covid pandemic. It’s on Sunday with apparently a record number of 25,000 entrants. Andrea was joined on Lunchtime Live by Mary Hickey, who has done every marathon since it started. Newstalk's Mike Hogan and Lochlainn Harte, who are also taking part, also popped into studio to give an insight into how their training is going...

In the past, Andrea has spoken to listeners about the reduction of fares on public transport. However, Tim got in touch with the show, he’s disgusted after a recent increase of bus fares for his daughter travelling to college. Tim and other listeners joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live to discuss their troubles with bus transport...

Port Safety Week at Dublin Port is aimed at looking at issues hauliers face – like loneliness and isolation. There are a number of jobs out there that cause isolation and mental health problems because of people having to work on their own for long periods of time. Andrea was joined by Brent Pope, rugby analyst and mental health advocate to discuss. Listeners, James, Alan, Pat and Susan also joined Andrea to give their experiences…

Are you an avid CD collector or do you still listen to them? Or have streaming services taken over from the traditional vinyl or CD? Andrea was joined on Lunchtime Live by Neil Watters, the owner of Classified Records in Dundalk and other listeners to discuss...