Lunchtime Live

Local business owners and members of the tourism sector in Youghal, County Cork have criticised the current refugee housing plan as the local hotels in the area are fully booked out for the foreseeable future, and tourism in the area are suffering. Andrea was joined by Pádraig Hennessy Youghal Chamber of Tourism and Development president, Eoghan O’Meara Walsh Chief Executive of the Irish Tourism Industry Confederation and Kays Flowers Yougha.

Yewande rose to fame in 2019 after appearing on Love Island alongside Maura Higgins and Greg O’Shea. The Dubliner has gone on to use the platform to speak out about issues surrounding racism and mental health. She joined Andrea to discuss her new book ‘Reclaiming’ which hit shelves last week.

A new major revamp of Sex Education will see the Junior Cert curriculum include lessons about pornography. Young teenagers will be taught about porn, the sharing of sexual as well as consent and gender stereotyping. Andrea was joined by listeners to discuss what these changes mean for students and if porn has a place in classrooms.

Whether you’re all about the thumbs up or the crying laughing face – emoji's have crept into our daily life. To celebrate World Emoji Day – our tech correspondent Jess Kelly joined Andrea Gilligan live from Waterford.

When you hear about Waterford, it’s all Blaa, Blaa, Blaa! But we want to know why! Andrea Gilligan went out and about in the Deise to hear about the famous delicacy and why it’s so special to the county.

According to a new survey, 57% of women in Ireland feel obligated to work while sick compared to 34% of men. Fiona Looney columnist for the Irish Daily Mail and Dr. Ebun Josep - Author, Social Justice Activist, public speaker, Diversity & Career Consultant joined Andrea Gilligan on the show.

Did you know that Waterford is home to Ireland’s only Amish Mennonite community? We’ve all heard about the Amish community but what is life actually life for those who have chosen to dedicate their lives to that faith? Simon and Dan who live in the Amish Mennonite community in Waterford joined Andrea Gilligan live from the Tower hotel and leisure center.

The highest temperature ever recorded in Ireland was on June the 26th 1887 at Kilkenny Castle… this record breaker could be broken over the coming days with Met Eireann issuing an urgent temperature warning and a seven-day advisory already in place. So how do we all keep cool and not wilt in the heat? Holistic Gardener and author of First Aid From The Garden, Fiann O'Nuaillan joined Andrea Gilligan on the show with his remedies to keep us cool.

Does Waterford get enough recognition? The sunny southeast and Ireland's oldest city was recently voted the best place to live in the Country – but does is it a bit ignored? Sean Defoe - Bauer Media Political Correspondent & proud Waterford man along with Dr. Aisling O’Neill, ArcLabs and Research Manager at South East Tech University joined Andrea Gilligan live from the Tower hotel in Waterford.

In this week's 'Ask The Expert' Barry Kenny answers all your rail related questions.

Almost 1,700 cyclists were hospitalised due to crashes last year. According to Freedom of Information figures released to Newstalk, that includes nearly 200 children under the age of nine. Andrea was joined by Ciaran Cannon, Fine Gael TD for Galway East, and listeners who had been involved in cycling accidents to discuss if our streets are safe for cyclists.

Complaints to the Passport Office have increased almost fivefold this year with travellers in many cases experiencing delays in processing their applications. Andrea was joined by a caller who in touch with the show to discuss the issues she has had with applying for a first time passport for her three year old daughter.

A new hospital has opened in Spain with the sole purpose of treating patients on the long public waiting lists here in Ireland. Around 1,500 Irish patients will get routine planned surgeries each year at the facility. Andrea was joined by listeners waiting for surgeries to discuss if they feel this would be a workable solution.

Odile Le Bolloch, Environmental scientist with the Environmental Protection Agency joined Andrea to discuss how strictly you should adhere to best before and use by dates.

There have been renewed calls to cut fuel excise as long queues emerged at some forecourts around the country who had reduced their prices. Andrea was joined by listeners across the country to discuss how high fuel prices are unsustainable.

As airport issues continue Andrea was joined by listeners who were in touch with the show to share their travelling experiences.

Andrea was joined by Darren Geraghty Mixologist and Bar manager with the Siam Thai group and Jess Murphy Head Chef and co-Proprietor at Galway Restaurant Kai, to debate if the “old school” plate, glass, knife and fork, have been replaced by food severed in something more kooky to pull in a trendy audience.

On yesterday on the show Andrea spoke to Senator Lisa Chambers about how women feel they aren't listened to when engaging with healthcare in Ireland. After hearing the piece Joanne was in touch to share her own experience of struggling to receive a diagnosis.

Lisa Chambers is launching a policy document off the back of the women's health conference she had recently. A key takeaway from the research has been that women feel they aren't listened to when engaging with healthcare in Ireland. She joined Andrea and listeners to discuss what can be done to better support women's health in Ireland.

Yesterday was officially the hottest day of the year so far, with a temperature of 25.9 degrees recorded at Shannon Airport. The heavy, humid weather can make it hard to get a good sleep, Andrea was joined by Sleep Expert Tom Coleman with his advice on getting a good nights rest during heavy heat.

Listener Danny was in touch Andrea from Berlin, to highlight the negative perception some of his German peers have of Ireland. He told Andrea he worries high prices, among other things, could end of putting people off holidaying here.

Donna O’Connor is an American tourist who travelled to Ireland to spread some of her parents’ ashes on a family farm. However she explained to Andrea, her baggage, which includes the remains of her parents, has been lost in transit.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.