Lunchtime Live

If you are a Dublin Bus user you might notice that, today, they are introducing new private security to curb anti-social behaviour on their service.  The 20-week pilot will comprise two dedicated mobile units: one on Dublin’s southside and another on the northside. What do you think? Security on our buses, is it needed? Andrea is joined by listeners to discuss.

Every Friday, as part of our ‘Ask Me Anything’ series, we put your questions to people from interesting backgrounds or working in different careers. This week, Adrian Kennedy was joined by naturist Kate Turner from the Irish Naturist Association to answer your questions.

There was very sad news today about a five week old baby that was found unresponsive after he had been carried around in a sling by his mother. It’s sure to worry a lot of parents today who own slings – and might be afraid to use them from now on… Adrian Kennedy is joined by Dr Afif El-Khuffash, Consultant Neonatologist and Paediatrician to discuss how to use one.

In a bold new effort to tackle New York City's infamous pest problem, city officials have approved a pilot programme that aims to control the rodent population with birth control. Starting next year, contraceptive pellets will be placed in rat-friendly traps in a section of Manhattan. Once ingested, it will make them infertile. What do you think about this approach? Is it something that might work...

A new horror sequel, Terrifier 3, was screened in the UK this week. Cinema goers were apparently left ‘traumatised’, with walkouts and one person even vomiting in the cinema. But, why do we put ourselves through such terror? To discuss, Adrian Kennedy is joined by Entertainment Journalist Rory Cashin, Dr Sarah Cleary, who holds a PhD in horror from Trinity and Psychiatrist Brendan Kelly.

From the spice bag to a mammoth endurance challenge, Ellen Butler from Newstalk’s News Team joins Adrian Kennedy with stories from around the country this week.

Ryanair passengers will soon have no option but to use the Ryanair app on their phone as the company announced they will be going paperless in the next few months. Ryanair Chief Executive Michael O’Leary said: “Everybody who travels with us has the app, the mobile boarding pass is on the app and we’ve got to move more and more people that way.” It is expected that the paper boarding pass will be s...

To big light, or not to big light – the age old debate!  For this week’s Home Squad, Jenny Sheahan, Irish Examiner Columnist and former winner of ‘Home of the Year’ and Emma Delaney, Senior Interior Designer from April & the Bear join Andrea to give advice on how to create atmosphere through lighting.

James Blunt has vowed to legally change his name to whatever fans choose if his album reaches number 1 in the charts! It’s the latest in a long line of stunts by artists to get attention. Alan Buckley, Head Tour Guide at the Irish Rock ‘N’ Roll Museum Experience joins Andrea to look back over some of the big ones.

Irish Rail released a new timetable in late August, and it seems to have caused nothing but issues since… They apologised for the impact on commuters a few weeks ago, and are due to release a new timetable to fix the problems. Have you been affected? Andrea is joined by Barry Kenny from Irish Rail, Labour Councillor Corina Johnston and listeners who have been impacted to discuss.

Following yesterday’s coverage of inheritance tax changes from the budget in the show, Andrew McCann, Author of ‘Know your Rights’, emailed in with his situation of a blended family. He joins Andrea to discuss more.

From James Bond hitting our screens to the Thrilla in Manila fight, Ciaran O’Connor from 98fm joins Andrea Gilligan to rewind the clock!

The annual state grant to the horseracing and greyhound industries has increased by €4.1 million to €99.1 million for 2025: the highest the fund has reached in its 23 years of existence. The funding will be split between the two sports in an 80:20 ratio, €79.28m will go to Horse Racing Ireland, with €19.82m for Greyhound Racing Ireland, the governing bodies for the two industries. What do you thin...

For this week’s Ask the Expert, Andrea Gilligan is joined by Frank McGrath, Hearing Aid Audiologist with Ear Care Clinics, to answer all of your hearing-related questions!

It’s International Coffee Day this week! Technically it was yesterday, but with Budget day overshadowing things, it seemed right to still celebrate! But, do we know enough about the stuff we’re consuming every day? Andrea is joined by James McCormack, CEO of the Dublin Barista School and Heather Leeson, Registered Nutritional Therapist with Glenville Nutrition.

The amount that a person can receive as a gift or inheritance from a relation before having to pay Capital Acquisitions Tax will be increased as part of Budget 2025. Inheritance tax, which is technically known as the Capital Acquisitions Tax (CAT), is a tax of 33% on gifts and inheritances which kicks in at a particular limit. It does not have to be paid if the inheritance does not reach this limi...

‘Anyone else find friendship in their 40s hard?’ – so asked Journalist Niamh O’Reilly as she scribbled on the wall of a bathroom cubicle! Niamh joins Andrea as well as other listeners to discuss why she wrote that.

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. Ciara Treacy, Newstalk’s Digital Content Creator, joined Andrea this week to share all the things to make you smile!

Earlier on Newstalk, Home Show Presenter Sinead Ryan spoke about being a Godparent despite not being religious, and whether or not that matters.  What do you think?  Should you have to be religious to be a Godparent? Andrea is joined by listeners including Anne Marie McAuley, Wedding and Family Celebrant to discuss.

Are we losing the ability to write legibly? Poor handwriting in Scottish schools is holding pupils back with assessors increasingly deducting marks from “indecipherable” exam papers. Do you think handwriting has gotten worse? Andrea is joined by listeners to discuss.

This year on Lunchtime Live we’ve been looking at things that we can do in order to make ourselves that bit happier and healthier. This week, Andrea is joined by Collette O’Hagan to learn all about marathons - she’s about to do her 1,000th!

Irish people are living in their childhood home until they are 28 on average, according to an analysis from the European Union’s statistic agency Eurostat. The Irish figures are above the EU average of 26.3 years, while people in Finland are living independently at the age of just 21.4 years. What do you think about the younger generation staying at the parental level until so much later in life?...

Dr Niall Breen from the Portmarnock GP Clinic joined Andrea Gilligan to tackle your medical queries.

Did you go to many weddings this summer? If so, how many of them took place in a Church? Odds are, it’s been less than usual. Fewer and fewer Irish couples are opting for traditional Irish weddings, but it still remains the most popular option for those getting wed. So, why are so many of us forgoing faith based ceremonies? Andrea is joined by Broadcaster Ruth Scott, who is a qualified Humanist Ce...

Sadie entered the foster system before her first birthday and left at the age of 18. She's now working as a special needs assistant. She has found love, and has a family of her own. And works in Wexford. She joins Andrea to talk about her experience of the foster system. If there was anything in this podcast that affected you, The Samaritans can be reached at any time on 116 123.