Lunchtime Live

Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan has said that we shouldn’t jail shoplifters and other non-violent offenders – and should use community sanctions to ease prison overcrowding… So, should we consider community service over prison? Andrea is joined by listeners to discuss, including John Lonergan, former Mountjoy Governor.

Welcome to The Pod Squad! We review podcasts every Tuesday so you always have something new to listen to. Today FM’s Shelly Grey and Host of the ‘No Encore Music’ Podcast Dave Hanratty joined Andrea to review ‘Peak Danger’! Image: BBC

If you have an EV charger at home and you’re looking for a little side hustle – this could be good news for you. Homeowners will be able to rent out their EV chargers through an app, for people who don’t have one. It also means that if you’re thinking of getting an EV, but don’t have a charger – you might now be able to use your neighbours. So, is this good news? Andrea is joined by listeners to d...

A tourist tax is being explored by the Government as a method to raise tax for local councils. Venice and Lisbon are just a few of the European cities which already impose such a levy. Would you be in support? To discuss, Andrea is joined by Niall O’Callaghan, Independent Councillor in Killarney and Hotelier, Micheal Lennon, Director of the Skylon Hotel in Dublin, Melanie May, Solo Travel Blogger...

Would you support the idea of health warning labels on alcohol bottles, like those on cigarettes? From May next year, Ireland will be the first country in the world to make cancer warnings on alcohol bottles mandatory. Joining Andrea to discuss is Cathal McHugh, Chair of the National Off-Licence Association, Cathal O’Donoghue from Rascals Brewery, Dean McGuinness, Managing Director of Premier Inte...

It’s How I Live Well time! Where Andrea Gilligan is joined by someone to discuss what they do to improve their life. This week, Andrea is joined by Gut Health Dietician and operator of the Gut Health Clinic in Blackrock Clinic, Lorraine Cooney, to learn all about maintaining a healthy gut!

Is there a baptism barrier for admission into schools in Ireland? Dublin listener Natalia got in touch with the show as she says her two boys are at the bottom of a secondary school’s waiting list - because they are not baptised… She joins Andrea to discuss.

Dr Nina Byrnes, GP at Generation Health Medical Clinic joined Andrea Gilligan to tackle your medical queries…

You probably heard the shocking news over the weekend that 34 year old Quham Babatunde was fatally stabbed in Dublin City Centre… It begs the question: is Dublin a violent city? Andrea is joined by Ellen Fitzpatrick, News Reporter with The Sun, as well as listeners, to discuss.

Newstalk Reporter Henry McKean was at the Baftas last night - where Kneecap won 1 award out of its 6 nominations and Warwick Davis recieved a Fellowship award! But, there was surprise when Mikey Madison beat Demi Moore for Leading Actress... He joins Andrea to discuss!

Are people ignorant of Ireland’s national anthem? Listener Claire was watching the Dublin-Kerry match on Saturday, and noticed that many of the players seemingly didn’t know the words to Amrhán na bhFiann! She joins Andrea, along with other listeners, to discuss…

There was a time that you would pop to the corner shop for some essential items. However, small retailers are now being decimated by bigger chains and are struggling to compete… Andrea is joined by Martin Mulligan, President of the Federation of Independent Retailers as well as shop owners to discuss.

This is Lunchtime Live’s Big Batch. Every Monday we’ll be learning new easy to cook batch recipes to keep you eating well. No more staring into an open fridge looking for inspiration! This week, Paul Knapp, aka @official_firefightingchef on Instagram, joins Andrea to discuss some protein-rich vegetarian recipes!

The Government is planning a new crackdown on Airbnbs to help with housing. They’re saying it could bring roughly 12,000 short-term lets back on to the long-term rental market. The new laws would mean that landlords will have to register their short stay accommodation or face being fined up to €5,000. What do you think? Would you want a crackdown on Airbnbs? Andrea is joined by Katie Makk from the...

Last night a brand new Irish dark comedy drama on Sky called 'Small Town Big Story' by Chris O'Dowd premiered at the IFI. Henry McKean was there and met the star of the new series, actress Christina Hendricks, best known for Mad Men.

For this week’s Ask Me Anything, Michael McQuillan, CEO & Founder of Pulse Security joins Andrea in studio to answer you questions about being a professional bodyguard

Our listener Siobhan got in touch because the Fairer Fares that had been promised for travel in 2024 still haven't been implemented. She wants to know when the Government are going to act!

You may not have it, but wall cladding is something that can add a lot to your home during a revamp. From paneling to soundproofing and heat, the Home Squad are here to talk about all things walls! Andrea is joined by Róisín Lafferty, Founder and Creative Director of Róisín Lafferty and Sarah Carroll from Sand and Deliver DIY to discuss.

The new Bridget Jones movie is set to break box office records. The fourth instalment, ‘Mad About the Boy’, is on course to become the biggest hits of the year - the pre-sales are apparently even bigger than Barbie! So, what is it we love so much about romantic comedies, and how have they stood the test of time? Andrea is joined by Bella Finn from Newstalk’s Newsroom and Entertainment Journalist B...

Earlier this week, Andrea spoke to parents who were impacted by the lack of public health nurses, and it really hit home with a lot of listeners. It seems there are a lot of babies in the country not getting enough health checks… Joining Andrea to discuss further is People Before Profit TD, Richard Boyd Barrett, as well as more listeners.

Every Thursday on Lunchtime Live, Andrea will be joined by followers of different religions in Ireland to learn more about them. This week, Andrea is joined by Patrick Dawson to learn about the Baha’i Faith!

For this week’s Throwback Thursday, Rebecca Shekleton, Presenter on 98fm’s Big Breakfast joins Andrea to look back on the year that was 1981!

The housing crisis is “delaying marriage and children” for 84% of adults, according to a new study. 48% of couples planning to tie the knot and 60% of couples planning to have children said they would have done so before now if it wasn’t for the housing crisis… Are you in a similar situation? Has it delayed marriage or starting a family for you? To discuss, Andrea is joined by Fertility Coach and...

For those of you that got engaged over Christmas but have yet to buy the ring... Or are planning a proposal in the coming months and need to start saving, this is for you... For this week’s Ask the Expert, Andrea is joined by Jeweller David Wilson to answer any of your ring-related questions!

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Harris will take part in an emergency meeting of EU trade ministers later about US trade tariffs. US President Donald Trump has imposed tariffs on European steel and aluminium imports. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has condemned the tariffs and promised "firm and proportionate" countermeasures, although the commission has yet to...