Lunchtime Live

Could you go without your phone for the weekend? Pat Phelan, CEO and co-founder of SISU Clinic has decided to do a digital detox every week from Friday after work to Monday morning. Pat Phelan joined Andrea alongside Newstalk’s Technology correspondent Jess Kelly to discuss…

US President Joe Biden arrived in Belfast last night. He will visit Louth today visiting Carlingford and Dundalk before heading to Dublin tomorrow to address Leinster House and on to Mayo on Friday. But, not everyone is happy that he is here. A number of people will be protesting the visit of the 46th US President. Andrea was joined by Richard Boyd Barrett, People Before Profit TD for Dún Laoghair...

Ranae Von Meding, CEO of Equality for Children joined Andrea today to discuss what more needs to happen to help families looking for the support in their surrogacy journey.

Beloved Irish movie The Snapper was on RTE on Saturday night, did you catch it? Well, if you did you would have heard a trigger warning before the 1993 movie began. It divided viewers over the weekend. Andrea discussed with some of them today to hear their opinions.

As you know we've been covering allegations of bullying in the HSE & how they're dealt with since January of this year. According to Sunday Independent the HSE’s National Investigation Unit has launched high level probes into 83 cases of workplace bullying, sexual harassment and harassment in the health service in three years. We were joined today by David Cullinane, Sinn Fein Health Spokesperson...

Recent survey from the activity group PGL Adventure that two out of three working parents rely on screen time to keep their children entertained. Yet excessive screen use by children, tweens and teenagers is has many side effects, including health risks. Why do parents still rely on it so much?

With the new Barbie trailer released we ask, does Barbie still have a place in society today?

Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has ruled out subsidised housing for healthcare workers. But should we introduce a Dublin allowance for workers struggling with costs of living in the city?

Former Boyzone star Shane Lynch will tonight star in a new BBC documentary where he explores his relationship and journey back towards his religion.  It’s release of course marks Good Friday and the start of Easter weekend, a time when many turn their attention to their faith.  But are we seeing more and more people returning to religion? 

Today we’ve asked our listeners what have their experiences, or lack thereof, have been in regards to the Good Friday Agreement.

A charity has warned posting calorie counts on menus is having a negative impact on those who are recovering from an eating disorder.  The research suggested calorie counts left those surveyed feeling pressure to follow dangerous disordered thinking around food. 

Former Ireland and Ulster Rugby player Tommy Bowe joined Andrea today on the show to share his memories from before the Good Friday agreement and talked about the importance of teaching students about the history of the Troubles.

Students at University College Cork (UCC) have voted to ban the promotion of student race days and to no longer condone or endorse events involving horse racing or betting on animals. The motion was passed as a result of a petition by the UCC Vegan Society which argued that the horse racing industry “knowingly and willingly partakes in the mistreatment and abuse of animals” Are the students right?

A new survey of teachers has shown that teaching is no longer viewed as an attractive profession. The survey also indicates that there are unfilled teaching vacancies in almost half of all second-level schools. Why are people not taking up these posts? Is teaching still an attractive job? Andrea was joined by teachers; Adrienne, Warren, Bill and more to discuss…

Amsterdam has warned rowdy sex and drug tourists to ‘stay away.’ The Dutch city have launched a new ad campaign aimed at cracking down on lewd stag and hen dos. The online ads will be triggered when people type in terms like - stag party, cheap hotel or pub crawl Amsterdam. What do you think about Amsterdam taking this new approach to stag parties and hen dos? Andrea was joined by listeners to dis...

Cabinet today will discuss plans to establish a unit aimed at reducing child poverty and improving the well-being of children in Ireland. This new unit will look at issues like the cost of education & childcare, potential welfare reforms, public health measures, preventing family homelessness as well as participation in sport and cultural activities. Is Ireland a good place to be a child? Is it a...

The pressure on of the rising cost of living on consumers pockets continues to grow with annual grocery bills set to rise by €1,200. Andrea Gilligan was joined by listeners on Lunchtime Live to discuss how they are being affected...

TikTok Influencer Amy Chan wants to normalise ‘career showers’ for people who get a new job or promotion in their career. Do we put too much emphasis on celebrations around marriage and children and not enough that celebrate single people as well? Andrea was joined by journalist Andrea Smith, Ali, Michael, Maria and Nicole to discuss…

Andrea Gilligan was joined on Lunchtime Live by Spin 1038 Presenter Michaela Hayes. Michaela has Crohn's disease and as a result has an ostomy bag. She recently had an experience at an Elton John concert where she was judged by others for queuing for the disabled toilet, because she has an invisible illness. Andrea was also joined by other people suffering from invisible illnesses and disabilities...

A shop in Limerick is losing €250,000 a year through shoplifting and break-ins. Michael Gleeson owns five convenience stores in Limerick city, says he is considering employing security staff with protective gear and body cameras. Andrea was joined by Michael Gleeson, Finbarr Filan, owner of a Centra shop in Sligo and listeners to discuss…

Planning a trip abroad? From cancelled flights to missing luggage and getting sick abroad, Travel Expert Eoghan Corry joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live to answer your travel insurance questions...

A recent tweet by Eoin O Broin has been drawing a great deal of criticism. The Sinn Fein housing spokesperson shared a caricature picture of a famine eviction with masked members of the gardaí superimposed into the scene. Minister of Justice Simon Harris said: ‘It’s offensive, inappropriate and disrespectful to the men and women of An Garda Siochana. Eoin O Broin is standing by the tweet saying it...

Brian Crowley, a listener, got in touch with Lunchtime Live with a suggestion to change the political voting system. He suggests a system whereby people would vote by their age group, instead of their geographical location. Do you think your voice is heard in elections? Are you fairly represented in Government? If not, do you think things would improve if there were more people your age making the...

Donald Trump has become the first ever former US President to face criminal charges in court He has been indicted by a grand jury in New York over an alleged hush money payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels. Republicans have condemned the move while Democrats say that no one is above the law. Donald Trump is at his home in Florida at the moment and Florida governor Ron DeSantis said his sta...

Youghal Greyhound racing track looks set to close it’s door, with animal rights groups claiming it’s more evidence of the decline in public support for the sport. What does the future hold for Greyhound racing in Ireland? Do you support it? Andrea was joined by Damien Matthews is the Chairman of the Irish Greyhound Owners & Breeders Federation, Nuala Donlon from Greyhound Action Ireland and other...