Lunchtime Live

The Government has confirmed it will launch a statutory inquiry into the care of children with scoliosis and spina bifida at Children’s Health Ireland. The announcement follows months of emotional campaigning by parents, including the family of Harvey Sherratt, who tragically passed away in July. Families have long called for answers about the treatment, and today’s decision marks a significant st...

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. 98FM’s Cathal O’Sullivan joined Andrea in the studio to put a smile on your faces… Image: Disney

From today, Ryanair switches to 100% digital boarding passes. They claim paperless boarding will be “faster, smarter and greener", but will it be “seamless”? And, has flying just become too much hassle? Andrea is joined by Eoghan Corry, Travel Journalist and Writer, as well as listeners, to discuss.

Prince William has opened up about telling his children about his wife Kate’s diagnosis. Just how hard is it to tell your kids about a cancer diagnosis, and how should you go about it? Andrea is joined by Amy Nolan, Director of Clinical Affairs with the Irish Cancer Society, as well as listeners, to discuss.

Have you ever gone absolutely bananas when your team scores that last-minute winner against an old rival? Or slouched on the couch for hours after a devastating defeat? Well, it’s not just you being dramatic, your brain is actually getting rewired in real time! A new scientific study has revealed that when football fans watch their favourite team win or lose, it’s not just their hearts racing, the...

A recent rental report released by Daft.ie shows that there will continue to be a shortage in the supply of rental properties across the country. The report shows that there has been a 21% drop in homes available to rent across Ireland this year… The demand for accommodation is so high that people who are fortunate to find a place are living in subpar housing and paying way over budget. This is ve...

For this week’s Ask the Expert, Andrea is joined by Trichologist Carol Johnson to answer any of your hair-related questions!

Today is International Single’s Day! Are you celebrating? Or is it something that’s actually costing you? There are many joys to being single - getting to pick out your own furniture, never having to go for dinner with the in-laws, being totally in control of the TV… But then there are the obvious downsides; paying a mortgage on your own, going to events on your own, never getting to have dinner w...

Canadian actress Shay Mitchells recently launched a product of Rini, face masks which are designed for kids. Her announcement has caused quite the stir and backlash online, with many saying that skin care products shouldn't be pushed towards young kids… Joining Andrea to discuss this is Professor Catriona Ryan, Consultant Dermatologist at the Institute of Dermatologists, Psychotherapist and author...

All this week, Lunchtime Live is focusing on renters, and the issues they face in this current housing market. Today, Andrea is joined by Lucie Cunnimngham, Founder and CEO of THE Homeshare, a not for profit enterprise, as well as listeners, to discuss the issues facing older generations who are renting…

It's How I live well time! Where someone joins to discuss what they do to improve their life... This week Andrea is joined by John Belton from No. 17 Personal Training to discuss the power of the squat!

Across the country, we’re beginning to see more and more Irish flags flying on flagpoles, roundabouts, homes, and buildings. For some, this display represents national pride and love for our country. For others, it’s being interpreted as a symbol of anti-immigration sentiment. When you see our tricolour, what does it mean to you? Should it stand for unity and pride in the Irish people, or does its...

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

Today, after 14 years of serving as Uachtarán na hÉireann, Michael D. Higgins will step down as President. Outspoken, opinionated and even somewhat controversial in his time - he was a President who loved the arts, literature and the Irish language. But, how will he be remembered? Stuart Clark, Deputy editor of Hot Press, Avril Ryan, CEO of Gaisce - The President’s Award, Leonie Cornelius, Garden...

All this week Lunchtime Live is focusing on the renting situation around the country. How tough is it to find somewhere to live? And if you do find somewhere, how expensive is it? And, is there much competition for places? We want to highlight as many of your stories as we can, so please send them to us - we’ll be covering it all week. Andrea is joined by listeners to discuss their experiences of...

A video surfaced online of an alleged assault of a young boy by two others in Tuam, County Galway has caused a lot of concern and criticism from the local community, and raises questions as to why this alleged attack happened in the first place… Joining Andrea to discuss is Fine Gael TD Pete Roche and Kabbier, family friend of the boy who was attacked.

Welcome to The Pod Squad! We review podcasts every week so you always have something new to listen to. Today FM’s Cathal Minogue and Editor of DMG Media Sarah-Jayne Tobin join Andrea to review ‘My Dad Wrote a Porno’ on its tenth anniversary!

Traffic congestion. Those long lines of brake lights, the endless stop-and-go, the clock ticking past your morning meeting time… we’ve all been there. But, have you ever stopped to think about what all that gridlock is really costing us, not just in fuel or frustration, but in productivity, health, and even happiness? Joining Andrea to discuss is Mark Wall, Kildare South Labour TD, as well as list...

For this week’s Ask Me Anything, Elizabeth Oakes, Founder of Pure Reflections, joins Andrea to answer any of your questions around water cremation.

We all have them, we all use them, and some of us would rather forget them: nicknames! From childhood tags that never seem to die, to the affectionate (or not-so-affectionate) labels we pick up at work or online, nicknames say a lot about who we are, and how others see us. So, the question is - why are we so obsessed with using them? Newstalk’s Henry McKean has been out asking the public, while An...

November is Remembrance Month in the UK. In honour of this, celebrities, football teams and people around the world wear a red poppy to remember soldiers that have fought for the British army in wars of years gone by. However, not everyone is comfortable wearing the poppy, given the British Army’s history, particularly in Ireland. But. would seeing an Irish person wearing the poppy offend you, or...

Mick Kelly of Grow It Yourself shared a story on his instagram page of his local newsagent, following an impressive revamp. But, with the new and improved look and stylish new coffee machine, came a sight that Mick did not welcome: an aisle filled with ultra processed foods and sugar-laden snacks snaking up along by the registers with the stands at what he calls ‘pester-height’ for younger shopper...

Breakfast Briefing Presenter Shane Beatty joins Andrea Gilligan with plenty of stories from around the country this week!

Two MEPs have condemned the sale of childlike sex dolls on fast fashion retailer Shein. Both Barry Andrews and Regina Doherty are shocked with what they have come across and have called for a €5 levy on ultra-fast fashion purchases from China, as the sale of these dolls violates both our moral and legal obligations to protect children. What needs to be done to tackle the sale of these products and...

This week, the Home Squad are in Cork to discuss wall finishes, and how you can get them just right! Joining Andrea to discuss is Ger Cooney from Ger Cooney Design and Kate Hobbins-Lockett from Interiors By Kate Hobbins-Lockett.