Lunchtime Live

Employers are complaining that young workers are unable to deal with criticism, expect their work roster to fit around their social lives and constantly use their phones in the workplace. Andrea was joined by listeners to discuss their experiences of younger workers.

With Ulster Bank and KBC Bank soon to exit the banking scene in Ireland, there is now a rush to find suitable replacements especially for your “current account”. Already the complaints are stacking up on delays, lack of service, huge communication issues and even lack of interest. John Lowe of MoneyDoctors.ie joined Andrea with tips on how to simplify the process.

Listener Michael was in touch with the show to discuss the high price of tolls and if they should be scrapped. Andrea spoke to listeners about why toll booths have not reduced their price even though there’s no cashiers anymore.

Pets for many of us are beloved part of the family and the loss of a pet can be a deeply upsetting experience. Andrea was joined by Family Therapist Eileen Finnegan, and Philip Nolan Irish Daily Mai, to discuss the process of grieving for a pet.

It’s one of the biggest weekends’s in the GAA Calander – two of the sport's biggest rivals go head to head on Sunday, while Derry and Galway face off on Saturday – but why is there so little buzz or chat about it? Philly McMahon, Former Dublin Player, John Duggan of Off the Ball, Nadine Doherty, Former Donegal Gaelic footballer & Pundit, and Richard Larkin, Dublin Supporter all joined Andrea Gilligan on the show.

Viv joined Andrea Gilligan on the show this afternoon. We first chatted to Viv back in June, on the 13th to be exact. At that stage she was telling us about how Aer Lingus hadn’t been able to locate your bags – in fact they were already missing a week when we were chatting to her. Since then we touched base with Viv throughout the month as she flew from Kerry to Dublin just to locate her bags. It is now four weeks since we first chatted to her, and five weeks almost since her luggage has been missing. Viv brought us an update on the situation.

Wimbledon draws to a close this weekend, with the men’s singles final on Sunday and the women’s final day earlier. From royals to celebrities and sports A-listers, the tennis tournament is not just a top sports event but a star-studded social gathering of the year. As a tournament celebrates its centenary this year, we take a closer look at its sport and social side with our guests, Conor Nieland, former Irish tennis player and Lorna Weightman a stylist and Wimbledon frequent.

From Heaven is a place on Earth to Leave a light on – Belinda Carlisle’s songs have been filling dance floors for decades! And now, after covid induced postponements – the Songstress is coming to Ireland! Belinda Carlise joined Andrea Gilligan on the show ahead of her gigs in Dublin and Cork next week.

Is childhood obesity a form of child abuse? That is something which has been claimed by fitness guru & owner of Ultimate Performance gyms Nick Mitchell. What do you think about comparing childhood obesity to letting your child smoke or drink alcohol? Is childhood obesity a form of child abuse?

An Irish Hospice Foundation survey of people bereaved during the pandemic has found that 56% said that they were not able to spend the time they wanted with their loved ones before they died. Jean Callanan is the chair of the Irish Hospice Foundation, she joined Andrea and listeners to discuss the trauma felt by those who had to watch relatives die alone.

Every week, we give you the chance to get access to an expert to answer your questions all your questions about their area of expertise. This week dental surgeon Dr. Paul O’Dwyer joined Andrea to answer all you're dental queries.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is set to step down after 3 years in the job. Andrea was joined by Jarlath Regan, host of the Irish Man abroad podcast, and listeners to discuss his legacy and what might be next for the conservative party.

From GAA to Gigs Corona’s Frontman Danny O’Reilly’s career could have been very different if he’d stuck to playing football. Ahead of the Electric Ireland GAA Minor Football Championship Final between Galway and Mayo tomorrow evening, Danny joined Andrea to chat about what could have been.

One in three people aged 35-44 won’t own a home by the time they retire, according to new figures from the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI). The figures are even starker for those in the 25-34 age cohort only half will be homeowners by the time they retire. Andrea was joined by listeners and Sean Moynihan, CEO of Alone, to discuss what an older generation of renters will mean for the country.

The U15 girls gaelic football team have decided to do a sponsored 48 hour phone free weekend. Phones will be handed over to team mentor on Friday July 8th at 7pm and returned 48 hours later on Sunday July 10th at 7pm. Andrea was joined by members of the team and Chris Flack co-founder of Unplug, to discuss the benefits of digital detoxing.

While housing remains an ongoing concern, the issue of facilities and amenities to service young people in this country is also an issue. Michael McLoughlin from Youth Work Ireland, joined Andrea and Mark Fay from the Northwall Community Association, to discuss if there are enough facilities for young people in cities.

It’s 'Write a Letter Appreciation Week' and Andrea was joined by Liz Maguire, a Dublin based antiquarian, who has been collecting old love letters since her teens.

There have been renewed calls for Spinal Muscular Atrophy to be added to the heel prick test for newborn babies, with a view to aiding early diagnosis and treatment. Liz McMahon has two sons with the rare condition, each with very different qualities of life, she joined Andrea to discuss the importance of early diagnosis.

A new hangover prevention pill has gone on sale in the UK. Physicist, engineer and science communicator Phil Smyth joined Andrea to discuss the science of hangovers.

Andrea spoke to listeners about the high cost of hotel prices and if they are due to an issue of supply and demand or price gouging.

Over 300 Deis schools with around 60,000 students in disadvantaged areas will not have access to school meals when they reopen in September. Andrea spoke to Julie Ahern, Head of legal policy and services with the Children’s Rights Alliance and principles about what this will mean for schools and students.

Following news that Ireland’s defence forces may be drawn upon to help with airport security amidst chronic delays and cancellations, many have voiced their concerns at the potential knock-on effects. Retired Regiment Sargeant Major Noel O’Callaghan, joined Aideen and Former Army Ranger, now Independent TD, Cathal Berry, to discuss their concerns.

The shortage of priests in Ireland has led to suggestions that lay people may be called on to do funerals. Father Iggy O’Donovan joined funeral celebrant Liza Clancy to discuss if shared funerals could be a way of addressing the issue.

After a difficult few years for the hospitality industry things are slowly returning back to normal. As part of TV show ‘At your service’ Hotelier Frances Brennan has been helping businesses to try navigate this tricky time, he joined Aideen to discuss the show.

Paul Morland, Demographer at St Antony’s College, Oxford, and the author of Tomorrow’s People: The Future of Humanity in Ten Numbers, has said taxing those who do not have children should be taxed at a higher rate to encourage them to start families. Aideen was joined by listeners to debate if this was a fair way to encourage people to have children.

The 1st of July- the kids are all finished school – summer holidays start in earnest! Today, we’re kicking off our Summer Memories series, where we chat to some well-known faces and reminisce over those long summer days! Comedian Neil Delamere kicked off the series by joining Andrea on the show.

Gerry Murphy from Met Eireann joined Andrea Gilligan on the show to discuss what lies in store for the weekend.

Flight cancellations are continuing to affect customers across the country with more Aer Lingus flights out of Dublin Airport to European destinations canceled today. The airline says it’s due to illness and strike action.

With the first in a number of Joint Oireachtas Committees on Autism underway, this week calls around representation for neurodivergent people in Ireland are to the fore. A strong advocate in this area is filmmaker Caoilinn Handley. Caoilinn first sought a diagnosis for dyspraxia after she related to a character on TV, and this has led her to explore her autism in recent years. To showcase the importance of better pathways for autistic people in Irish society, Caoilinn most recently auditioned for the Rose of Tralee. To tell us about that, and her wider story, Caoilinn joined Andrea Gilligan on the show.

Does our understanding around grammar, syntax, or phrasing in general leave a lot to be desired? Sarah in Thurles got in touch with the show to bemoan the decline of society in this area, and she spoke to Andrea this afternoon

Well, have you ever been charged for water while out and about? Are venues allowed not to serve you tap water? Would it put you off a venue if they charge for tap water? And, what about bars and restaurants? Are they allowed to charge for water? Aaron got in touch with Andrea on the issue.

Newstalk has teamed up with Ronseal for Fix it Fortnight ,two weeks of top DIY tips from the best experts in the field. It’s the perfect time to freshen up the house. Andrea was joined by Arlene McIntyre from Ventura, to answer your interior design questions. It’s all with thanks to Ronseal. For more see Ronseal.com.

Irish Rail announced that 41 new trains were in transit and heading for Ireland but disability activists say that they’ve been forgotten about as the trains are no more accessible than the current ones.Andrea was joined by listeners Sean,Veron and Jane Cregan from Irish Rail to discuss the accessibility of the Irish rail service.

Technology has made our lives so much more convenient but in the process of simplifying everyday tasks, Hilda Roche, National President of the ICA ,and Noel Cunningham, TV Personality and Author of Guide to Modern Irish Manners, joined Andrea to discuss if we lost our life skills.

Ewan McGregor has made a rare public comment about the breakdown of his first marriage and the impact the split has had on all of the relationships in his life. Andre was joined by life Coach Mark Fennell discuss the impact of divorce on those directly and indirectly involved.

Vaping has traditionally been seen as a “safer” alternative to smoking and is increasingly popular with teenagers. Andrea spoke to Dr Brendan O’Shea, GP in Co Kildare and listeners, to discuss if vaping could pose health risks to those who use them and encourage younger age groups to become nicotine dependent.

Paul Maher from University of Limerick has studied the science behind nostalgia, and he joined Andrea to explain why we love things that make us reminisce on past times or experiences.

Tenants who need to work from home are being refused by some landlords advertising rental properties. Andrea spoke to Amy Molly, Public Affairs Correspondent with Independent News & Media, who has been speaking to renters and landlords about some of the issues that arise with remote working in a rental property.

Evie Nevin from Cork has a genetic condition called Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, a connective tissue disorder which can cause dislocations. She’s on disability allowance and explained to Andrea why she is calling for the back to school allowance to be increased.

A new designed to prevent employers from using tips or gratuities to make up wages, is being brought in front of the Seanad this afternoon. Andrea was joined by Adrian Cummins, CEO Restaurant Association of Ireland, hospitality workers and listeners, to discuss how todays changes will redefine tipping culture.

Andrea was joined by listeners to discuss if our streets become too cluttered with street signs. Between signs giving directions, poles, bollards on cycle lanes, they discussed if our footpaths become more difficult to navigate.

Aisling Creegan’s start to life was dominated by alcohol and abuse as the daughter of alcoholic parents. She says that her mission as a child was to get to the next day, alive and safe. She joined Andrea to discuss her memoirs in a bid to help others that might be struggling.

It’s been a long few years for Westlife fans but the end is in sight and next week they are returning to stage for their The Wild Dreams Tour. Shane Filan joined Andrea to discuss how rehearsals are they going and what fans can expect from the tour.

Green Day, Fall Out Boy and Weezer played Marlay Park in South Dublin yesterday, for their Hella Mega Tour but it seems like music fans got a little more than they bargained for. Andrea spoke to listeners who were there who told her about the queues into the venue of up to 2km long and streams of fans left stranded looking for a way to get home.

Today is International Body Piercing Day, Andrea was joined by one of the country’s top piercers Carla Horrana,from Carla Horrana Piercing and Jewellery, to discuss if piercing is still as popular as ever and how she got into the business.

On Fridays show, listener Paddy was in touch to discuss how he was taken off a waiting list because he didn’t reply to a letter that he says he didn’t get. Andrea spoke to listener on todays show to discuss the general uncertainty around waiting lists and the length of time people are waiting to receive health care.

Aer Lingus has issued an apology to the customers affected after a number of flights were cancelled this weekend. Andrea was joined by listeners affected by flight cancellations and Eoghan Corry, Editor of Air and Travel Magazine, to advice on what to do if you have had a recent issue with a flight.

Neil Smith was in touch with the show off the back of the Eagles’ concert at the Aviva Stadium, which he attended with his partner. He explained to Andrea, the couple ended up being unable to see large parts of the performance because of the large number of people standing in what was supposed to be a seated part of the stadium.

There was unsavory scenes in Croke Park yesterday in the clash between Armagh and Galway, with a brawl as the players entered the tunnel at the end of normal time. Andrea was joined by Nickey Brennan, former GAA president, to discuss if enough being done to stomp out violence from the GAA.

Every Friday, we search for the definitive answer to some of the most burning questions in The Big Debate. Today on our Big Debate, we want to finally get the answer to the question- ‘Is the idea of marriage outdated?’