Lunchtime Live

More than 25,000 bicycles have been reported stolen across the country since 2019, but campaigners say that up to three quarters of their victims don’t report bike thefts… Is this number surprising to you? What can be done about them? Joining Andrea to discuss is Derren Ó Brádaigh, Sinn Féin Representative for Lucan, Colin Baker, Managing Director of Back from the Future Tech Support Stephen McMan...

Many people take great pride in their homes and go to considerable lengths to keep them clean and tidy. For some, that means maintaining spotless floors, and expecting guests to help keep them that way. So, is asking visitors to remove their shoes at the door a reasonable request, or does it risk making them feel uncomfortable? Joining Andrea to discuss is Presenter Claire Ronan, Associate Profess...

Breakfast Briefing Presenter Shane Beatty joins Andrea Gilligan with plenty of stories from around the country this week!

Should we consider banning ‘X’? The UK is, should we be following suit? This is fallout from the issues around their AI chatbot Grok. X users undressed thousands of pictures of women and children using Grok AI… So, what should we do about it? Joining Andrea to discuss is Newstalk’s Technology Correspondent, Jess Kelly, Host of the ‘For Techs Sake’ podcast Elaine Burke, as well as listeners.

Usually on the show this segment covers the lovely aspirational things with your home: renovations and new ideas. But, what do you do when things go wrong? What do you do if a pipe bursts in your home and causes damage? This week, the Home Squad are here to discuss dealing with bursts and leaks! Joining Andrea to discuss is Jenny Sheehan, Irish Examiner Columnist and former winner of ‘Home of the...

Do you treat yourself? Even when you’re a little broke, do you find some way to do something nice? Maybe it’s just some time out, some R&R - or maybe a fancy coffee on the way to work. But, do you prioritise it? Andrea is joined by Broadcaster Padraig Wilson McCarthy and Brendan Kelly, Professor of Psychiatry at Trinity College Dublin and author of ‘The Science of Happiness’ to discuss…

A new study has revealed that people who stop taking weight-loss jabs regain weight in under two years. Joining Andrea to discuss this is Professor Donal O’Shea, the HSE Clinical Lead for Obesity, as well as listeners.

Little Mix singer Jesy Nelson announced on Sunday that her twin daughters have been diagnosed with a severe muscular disease. She said she will be campaigning for SMA1 (spinal muscular atrophy) screening at birth, after her twin babies were diagnosed with this rare genetic condition. The test has been approved in Ireland, but hasn’t yet been implemented. So, why not? Andrea is joined by listeners...

We’ve decided to do a deep dive on some of our favourite albums to explore the stories behind them. What did the artists really think of each other? Where did the inspirations from the songs come from? Joining Andrea to discuss is Head Tour Guide at the Irish Rock ‘N’ Roll Museum Experience, Alan Buckley, who’s going to talk through Bob Dylan’s album album ‘The Times They Are A-Changin'!

Minister for Further and Higher Education James Lawless has come under criticism for comments suggesting that providing each student with a private bathroom would be “wasteful.” The remarks were made during a discussion on the Government’s plans to move towards a co-living model for university accommodation, which would involve more communal living spaces. What are your thoughts on the minister’s...

Is there any need for wedding speeches anymore? TV Chef Gordon Ramsay said he was a “hot mess” before daughter Holly’s wedding speech. What’s your stance on wedding speeches? Do you love or loathe them? Joining Andrea to discuss is Wedding Planner Lyndsey Moynagh, Barry McLoughlin from the Communications Clinic, owner of Crofton Motors in Dublin Joey Donnelly and Speech Writer Cormac Lally.

Lunchtime Live's Reasons to be Happy looks at some of the news stories that you might have missed that will leave you feeling more optimistic. 98FM’s Cathal O’Sullivan joined Andrea in the studio to put a smile on your faces…

It’s one of the things you’ll come across in your parenting journey: pocket money. Should children get pocket money, should they “earn” it, and what can it teach them? And, how much should they get? Joining Andrea to discuss is Paul Merriman, Founder of Ask Paul and CEO of Fairstone and Psychotherapist Bethan O'Riordan.

Every Wednesday afternoon, we’ll be talking Making Babies. Andrea will be joined by Professor Shane Higgins, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, to cover every area of trying to have a baby. From the very start of knowing how to prepare, right up to pregnancy – and all the bumps in the road in between. This week, Shane joins Andrea to go back to basics, and discuss how to get pregnant.

If you’re feeling in need of a detox, or a break after the Christmas madness, maybe it’s time to think about a health holiday. The wellness economy has doubled in size since 2013, and doesn’t seem to be stopping… So, could it be for you? Joining Andrea to discuss is Host of Zen & Tonic Wellness Activity Holidays Sinéad Kennedy and Host of Alive and Kicking on Newstalk, Clare McKenna.

Jim Ahern is co-owner of Trade Path and a bricklayer by trade. He contacted the show because he believes there are too few real opportunities for people to pursue a trade in this country, and that something needs to change if we’re serious about getting more men and women into the workforce… So, are apprentices struggling to find work? Jim joins Andrea to discuss, as well as listeners.

For this week’s Ask the Expert, Andrea is joined by Ann Teahan, Founder of Neatly Home Organisation to answer all your questions about decluttering, which a lot of people may want to do at the start of the new year!

Have you seen the film ‘Saipan’? Apparently, two thirds of Irish people have said they won’t watch it… Would your loyalty to Roy Keane keep you away? Or would it be the reason you’re rushing to the cinema? Joining Andrea to discuss is Off the Ball’s Adrian Barry and The Echo’s Features Editor, John Dolan.

In recent months, we’ve been warned about the risks of posting our children on social media. Many parents now cover their faces with emojis, believing it’s a safer option. But cyber-security experts say even these photos still train facial recognition systems and build data profiles… So, do you use emojis to hide your children’s faces, and did you think you were protecting them? Joining Andrea to...

Today is Nollaig na mBan, a day traditionally dedicated to recognizing the women who carried the workload over Christmas. As many head out to celebrate with friends, it raises an interesting question: is Nollaig na mBan still relevant today? Is it a feminist tradition, or has it become a capitalist one? Joining Andrea to discuss is Wellness Advocate, Keri Deeney, Irish Independent Columnist, Mary...

It's How I live well time! Where someone joins to discuss what they do to improve their life... This week, Andrea is joined by Endocrinologist Dr Mary Ryan to discuss what good hormone health looks like, and how you can achieve it!

Listener Christian got in touch with the show over something a lot of people might be doing this year: ice skating. One rink in Belfast would cost 8 pounds for an adult to skate - while prices in Dublin could be double that! Why is this the case, and do we need a permanent ice rink in the city? Christian joins Andrea to discuss, as well as Aaron Gili, President of the Irish Ice Hockey Association,...

Dr. Nina Byrnes, GP at Generation Health Medical Clinic to tackle your medical queries.

In January, we get bombarded with New Years resolutions, fitness trends and "new year, new me" chat. But Elaine Power, host of What’s Trending in F1?’ podcast says January doesn’t have to be endured! She joined Andrea to discuss...

With many people dusting off the Christmas cobwebs and returning to work this week, for some the commute won’t stretch much further than the kitchen table or a spare bedroom. Working from home has become the new norm for many, easing the daily strain of long commutes and heavy traffic. But despite this shift, our roads still tell a familiar story. Traffic congestion appears to peak mid-week, as mo...