Lunchtime Live

We have seen large increases in healthcare funding and staffing in recent years – but this has not led to an improvement in our healthcare system. A report drawn up by personnel in the Irish Government Economic Evaluation Service and the Department of Health says the health budget has risen from €13.7 billion in 2014 to €22.8 billion in 2024 and that more than 50,000 additional healthcare staff ha...

Every Friday, as part of our ‘Ask Me Anything’ series, we put your questions to people from interesting backgrounds or working in different jobs.   Today, Andrea Gilligan was joined by Private Investigator Liam A Brady, from Special Investigation Bureau Éire.

Fine Gael TD Ciaran Cannon has announced that he won’t be running for reelection. He says that a  climate of abuse and harassment online is now “one of the main reasons” why some TDs are leaving politics.  Ciaran joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live today...

A recent study has found that parents who act aggressively on the sidelines of their child’s sports games are more likely to influence their children to take part in antisocial behaviour towards both their teammates and opponents.  Andrea was joined by parents to discuss...

Every day we scour the newspapers but often, many great stories from the regional papers don’t make the headlines. Newstalk's Breakfast Briefing presenter Shane Beatty has rounded up some of the best stories that you might have missed... 

OJ Simpson, the former NFL player, who is probably more famous for his part in one of the most notorious criminal trials in 20th century America died yesterday. The murder trial captivated the world – with people tuning in daily to watch it. But why did it grab everyone’s attention so much? Andrea Gilligan was joined by Larry Donnelly, Law Lecturer in University of Galway, Comedian Jim Elliot...

It's time for Throwback Thursday, where we look back on things that happened this week in history. Ciaran O’Connor from 98fm joined Andrea Gilligan on Lunchtime Live... 

Listener Brigid Timmons got in touch, she runs the company Good Grief, and says the rules aren’t fair for single people and she wants change.

Listener Eleanor got in touch with the show. Her son was bullied in school – when his two brothers defended him, they were accused of bullying. 

How do you make your hallway a fitting entrance to your house? Hardware Expert Alan Grant  and Arlene McIntyre from Arlene McIntrye designs join Andrea with their tips and tricks. 

Retired rugby star Rob Kearney may have ruffled some feathers when he said that his wedding day wasn't even in the top ten best days of his life. Do men and women have different attitudes, experiences and expectations of their big day?

From making a will to disputing one – we’re putting your questions to Solicitor Susan Murphy from Makemywill.ie

The Government will establish a Cabinet Committee on Children and Education and Disability, Harris has said.    “This is about breaking down silos across Government and making change happen more quickly,” he said.     “We are determined to bring new coherence and faster progress on solving the issues that matter most to people with disabilities.” 

Whether its little bottles of shampoo or a pair of slippers – we’re all guilty of taking things from hotels – but where do you draw the line? 

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.   Newstalk’s own Cathal O’Sullivan joined Andrea in studio to put a smile on your faces...

Should we be teaching children that it is alright to fight back if they are being bullied?   Dr David Coleman, Clinical Psychologist, writing in the Irish Independent today argues: When it comes to a child being physically attacked, or physically bullied, my advice has always been to give that child permission to defend themselves. Hitting back shows the aggressor that a child is no...

Simon Harris has been confirmed as Taoiseach by the Dáil. Mr Harris was nominated as Taoiseach by the Dáil with a majority vote of 88 to 69 after he was proposed by Fine Gael and supported by Fianna Fáil, the Green Party and a number of independents. Mairead Ronan was joined by Craig Hughes, Political Correspondent with the Irish Daily Mail and Kevin Doyle, Group Head of News at Mediahuis to...

Have you ever grieved the life you had before you had children?  Comedian Katherine Ryan has spoken about how she loves her kids but thinks they 'ruined' the life she used to have – can you relate? Or do you feel you can even speak openly about it?  Mairead Ronan was joined by journalist Chrissie Russell, Aileen Hickie, CEO of Parentline, Newstalk's Henry McKean and Siobhan O'Neill-White...

This year, we are determined to make some changes and become that bit healthier!  Over the next few weeks we will be joined by a number of different people to find out how they live well. Mairead Ronan was joined by Kim and Lyn, founders of 'A Sorted Affair' to discuss...

Parts of the quays in Dublin City centre will close to cars from August.  Bus gates at Bachelors Walk and Aston Quay will be the first measures of the council's new Transport Plan to be introduced.   This will mean only public transport, taxis, pedestrians and cyclists will be allowed to use the route.  A ban on cars turning left from Westland Row onto Pearse Street will also k...

Three people died in separate tragedies in Dublin, Wicklow and Cork in the spaces of just 12 hours over the weekend.   So far this year the death toll from Irish roads stands at 61 – which is 45% higher than the rate from the same time period last year.   Are we going backwards when it comes to road safety?   Mairead Ronan was joined by Susan Gray, founder of PARC roa...

A new survey has shown that the most valued skill for a parent is Patience. Also on the list are Responsibility, showing affection and time management. Do you think it’s the most important skill? Can you learn patience?   Mairead Ronan was joined by Brendan Kelly, Psychiatrist, Keith Walsh, Podcaster and Broadcaster and Ollwyn Moran Neuro Developmental Therapist & Founder of COGNI Ki...

Tomorrow, Ireland's women's soccer team will play England at the Aviva Stadium in the European Championship qualifiers.  A listener to the show Nicky got in touch, because she want to talk about the lack of media coverage. Mairead Ronan was joined by listeners to discuss...

This is Lunchtime Live’s Big Batch. Every Monday we’ll be learning new easy to cook batch recipes from Cook Book Author and Recipe writer Sarah Butler to keep you eating well. No more staring into an open fridge looking for inspiration! This week Mairead Ronan and Sarah looked at some more handy meals for batch cooking... Follow the hashtag #LLBigBatch for all our recipes.

A new study has found that people who work from home are less likely to get pay rises and promotions – but is that fair?  Andrea Gilligan was joined by Mary Connaughton, Director CIPD Ireland, the professional body for HR and other listeners to discuss...