Lunchtime Live

From how much to put away to when to start for this week’s Ask the Expert, we’re putting your pension questions to Paul Kenny, Ireland’s former Pensions Ombudsman and Course Leader with the Retirement Planning Council of Ireland.

Weight loss drugs such as Ozempic are apparently being sold on the black market, causing huge concerns amongst the medical community.  Pharmacist Kate O’Connell joins Andrea to discuss the drug - and why the illegal sales are an issue. Image: Novo Medlink

E-scooters are to be banned for people under the age of 16 soon. This comes alongside new regulations like a 20km speed limit, seats being banned and a ban for passengers on scooters. What do you think of these new rules? Do you agree with all of them? Andrea is joined by listeners to hear their takes.

Mairead Anderson, owner of Killybegs Seafood Shack, has been informed that she has to cease trading on the 22nd of May to make way for a new bus stop in town. She joins Andrea to discuss why this is happening.

Should there be stricter rules around dress codes in workplaces?  Or, have we completely lost the run of ourselves in what we’re wearing to work?  The Home Show’s Sinead Ryan certainly thinks so, and joins Andrea alongside Stylist and Fashion Journalist Laura Mullet to discuss.

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.   Today FM’s Cathal O’Sullivan joined Andrea in the studio to put a smile on your faces…

Should the Leaving Cert exams be scrapped in favour of something different? Is there a better way for teenagers to learn? Labour Education & Justice Spokesperson Aodhan O’Riordan says that it should be abolished.  He joins Andrea alongside listeners to discuss.

Welcome to The Pod Squad!  We’ll review podcasts every Tuesday so you’ll have something new to listen to.   Andrea was joined by host of the ‘For Tech’s Sake’ podcast, Elaine Burke and Dave Hanratty, host of the ‘No Encore’ podcast to review Richard Osman and Marina Hyde’s ‘The Rest is Entertainment’. Image: Goalhanger Podcasts

The founder of dating app Bumble Whitney Wolfe Herd has said that the future of dating is having your AI date other people's AI, and recommend the best matches for you to meet!  Would you love this? Or loathe it? Andrea is joined by Irish Matchmaking and Dating Specialist, Mairead Loughman, to discuss.

It’s Lyme disease awareness month: Lyme disease is a bacterial infection that can be spread to humans by infected ticks. It's usually easier to treat if it's diagnosed early.  There’s thought to be between 50 and 100 cases in Ireland every year – but how much do we really know about it?  Andrea is joined by listeners as well as  Professor Jack Lambert, Consultant in Infectious Disea...

Fr Patsy Lynch has been a priest for over 50 years, and he spent 31 of those as a missionary in Ghana. However, when he applied for his pension, he was told that he was not entitled to a state pension.   Fr Patsy joins Andrea to discuss his situation.

This year Andrea Gilligan is determined to make some changes and become that bit healthier! Over the next few weeks Andrea will be joined by a number of different people to find out how they live well. Andrea was joined by Jessica Ahern from The Salt Rooms Ratoath to discuss the benefits of salt therapy.

Dublin City Council says it is working on “technical solutions” to address “inappropriate behaviour” by some on the newly installed Dublin-New York portal.   The two-way live-stream portal, which offers a real-time glimpse of New York City, was installed on North Earl Street, looking on to the Spire, last week.   It was temporarily closed after video clips surfaced on social me...

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

Have you tried dipping your cheese in your morning coffee? Well, it might be the new foodie hit in 2024. Joining Andrea to discuss are Kevin Sheridan from Sheridan’s Cheese and Dee Laffan, freelance journalist and Editor-in-Chief at ScoopMagazine.

Following the success of Netflix’s Baby Reindeer, a spotlight has been put on stalking and how being a victim of it can affect you. Jarlath Rice is one of those victims, who was even physically assaulted by his stalker. He joins Andrea to share his story…  If you find that you might be a victim of stalking, or want to learn more about the signs, visit https://www.stalkinginireland.ie

Lunchtime Live listener Aaron got in touch with the show to talk about an issue in his daughter’s school: the roof has been leaking for almost a year, leaving many of the rooms out of use due to the water running through them. Most of the students are in wheelchairs. Andrea is also joined by Antonia Maguire, Principal of Fermoy Educate Together National School, to discuss how they do not have the...

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 Andrea and Sarah looked at the perfect recipes for a Communion or Confirmation party - covering everything from nibbles, brownies and beef bourguignon. F...

The minimum legal age for the sale of tobacco will be increased from 18 to 21 under plans due to be approved by Cabinet this week.   It comes amid concerns about a recent plateau in the decline of smoking rates in Ireland.   Do you agree with raising the smoking age?  Andrea is joined by listeners to hear their takes.

Every Friday, as part of our ‘Ask Me Anything’ series, we put your questions to people from interesting backgrounds or working in different careers. Andrea Gilligan was joined by Niall Spelman who, until recently served as the second Governor of Wheatfield Prison, to answer all of your questions.

With the Junior and Leaving Cert exams just a few weeks away, many students are turning to TikTok for study tips and advice. Has this trend changed how we learn? We speak to three Irish teachers who are making a big impact on #StudyTok to discuss their strategies and how social media is transforming exam prep. Stacy Stout has amassed over 12K followers on TikTok, becoming the go-to source for Leav...

Andrea was joined by guests to discuss France’s new approach to tackling a decade-long decline in its birth rate. President Emmanuel Macron has introduced a program offering free fertility testing to all 18 to 25-year-olds, including semen analysis and ovarian reserve checks. Is this a measure Ireland should consider adopting?

We've frequently discussed palliative care and elder care on this show, as they often involve challenging and emotional conversations. Simon Chambers, who has created a poignant documentary about his relationship with his elderly uncle, joined Andrea to delve into these topics and share his insights on the responsibilities and burdens of caregiving.

From a Netflix show filming in Ireland to a thatched pub hitting New York – Breakfast briefing Presenter Shane Beatty has some of the stories from around the country that you may have missed this week.

Andrea talks to Irish fans about the dramatic buildup to this year's Eurovision final in Malmö, Sweden. Ireland’s Bambie Thug has secured a spot in the final for the first time since 2018. However, protests in Malmö and outside RTE headquarters back home have overshadowed the event, primarily due to Israel's participation.