Lunchtime Live

A tweet from Psychologist and Author Katriona O’Sullivan shocked many today. Her son told her that 'The poor kids are often the rule breakers & don't get accepted into TY!'. This was after a conversation on the cost of school trips. Is this a common thing? Andrea is joined by Katriona as well as listeners to discuss.

There have been calls to ban energy drinks in Ireland after two men suffered cardiac arrest due to excessive consumption.  What do you think? Should there be restrictions on energy drinks? Photo by cottonbro studio

Every Monday we're going to explore this gorgeous island of ours and all that it has to offer.  Today, Andrea chats to Yvonne Reddin about holidaying as a single parent

Andrea Gilligan was joined on Lunchtime Live by Dr Niall Breen from Portmarnock GP Clinic to answer listeners' health queries and questions…

Should there be more public toilets provided when there are large public events? Listener Eimear wonders why Croke Park can't put portaloos around the stadium so stop people urinating in the streets and in her own garden.

A listener got in touch with the show 'My wife and I have both pay our salaries into a joint account and have been doing so since we bought our first home. We don’t maintain any bank accounts in our own names. All joint accounts. I mentioned this at work the other day and everyone around me said this was weird...' Should you avoid joint bank accounts? Sinead Ryan, Presenter of the Home Show explai...

Glenda Gilson, Model & TV Presenter joined Andrea Gilligan to share some of her favourite summer memories!

Do we risk our politicians being too afraid to speak out about issues because of the backlash they receive?   Apparently, public figures are increasingly afraid to talk about certain issues in the face of online harassment.  Fine Gael Cllr Eileen Lynch has been at the receiving end of online abuse and joins Andrea as well as SocDem Cllr Elisa O’Donovan to discuss.

Have kids birthday parties lost their way? Costing way too much to run? It seems like there is an issue where pressure is put on parents to run the best party possible; what happened to just bringing them over to the house? Andrea is joined by Niamh Hennessy from the Irish Examiner, Katie Makk from the Opinions Matter Podcast, Mary McCarthy, Columnist with the Irish Independent, Niamh Dunlea, Owne...

Ethan Boyle, Wexford FC Captain was recently in the local playground with his 18 month-old son when he experienced a racist encounter.  He joins Andrea to discuss what exactly happened.

From pitch invaders to bee invasions – Breakfast Briefing Presenter Shane Beatty joins Andrea with a roundup of some of the stories you might have missed this week.

Dublin Airport is warning people not to drive to Dublin airport unless they have parking pre-booked. All the car parks are currently sold out over the next several days. They’ve told anyone without a booking to use public transport or to get a taxi or a lift. So how bad are things now, and what should we expect over the rest of the summer? Andrea Gilligan is joined by listeners to discuss.

Built-in versus freestanding furniture – what should you go for? Joining Andrea Gilligan to give their recommendations are Jennifer Sheahan, Irish Examiner columnist and former winner of ‘Home of the Year’ and Colin Baker from DecWells Expert Hardware. Image: MyLife Bathrooms

Here’s a really good news story – a reunion 17 years in the making. Victoria O’Leary’s daughter Fatima was taken to Saudi Arabia by her husband 17 years ago. Ever since she’s been fighting to get her back. Last week, they finally reunited. Victoria joins Andrea to discuss.

Almost a third of childcare and early years facilities are now at risk of closing. With also 95% of workers in the industry apparently struggling to make ends meet. Finding childcare places is already an enormous stress for parents, so what does the future look like? And what needs to change? Andrea is joined by Elaine Dunne, Chairperson of the Federation of Early Childhood, Averil Sheenan from Ca...

The Daily Express says you should ‘Vote Tory’, The Daily Mirror says ‘Vote for Labour’ and The Daily Mail says ‘Vote Farage’. You may notice that there is a distinct difference in how elections are covered in the UK versus in Ireland. Seán Defoe, Newstalk’s Political Correspondent, joins Andrea to discuss, as well as listeners across the UK and Ireland. Image: The Daily Express

It's Throwback Thursday, where we look back on things that happened this week in history. Rebecca Shekleton, Co-Presenter of 98FM’s Big Breakfast joined Andrea Gilligan to rewind the clock. Image: Paramount Pictures

Taoiseach Simon Harris has re-opened the debate around GAAGO by reiterating his stance that Gaelic games should not be behind a paywall.  Has GAAGO affected your GAA watching experience this year? Or do we need to just get over it and pay to watch the games? Andrea is joined by Conor Grimes, sports journalist Mortimer Murphy, Liam Brassil from Kilrossanty GAA and more to discuss.

The Irish Blood Transfusion Service has issued an appeal for an additional 2,000 blood donations over the next four weeks to help the national blood supply, as some blood groups have fallen to less than three days of stock. Dr Ellen McSweeney, Irish Blood Transfusion Donor Consultant joins Andrea to answer all of your blood donation questions!

Andrea was invited to Donegal to see the launch of Muff Liquor’s new million euro facility, also announcing celebrity investment. Which celebrities? Well, Andrea spoke with Ronan Keating, Ryan Tubridy and Russell Crowe all about why they are backing the brand!

Sweden have just launched a groundbreaking new law that would entitle grandparents to get paid parental leave while taking care of their grandchildren for up to the first 3 months of a child’s life. Should grandparents get paid parental leave while taking care of their grandchildren? Andrea is joined by broadcaster Claire Ronan and listeners to discuss.

Josie Rowley, who has been living in West Cork for over 40 years, had to have both of her legs amputated after getting insect bites at her home. Josie, who is now staying with her daughter Jen and granddaughter Becky, joins Andrea to discuss the situation. Photo: Jen Rowley

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…

You have probably heard the tragic news this morning that a mum and her eight-year-old daughter have died after a car crash in Co Mayo.  Andrea Gilligan is joined by Teresa O'Malley, Head of News Midwest Radio, Frances Mitchell, Road Safety Officer with Mayo Council, Local Councillor John Caulfield and Susan Grey from the Road Safety Group PARC to discuss what happened and share their thought...

Welcome to The Pod Squad!  We’ll review podcasts every Tuesday so you’ll have something new to listen to.  This week guest host Anna Daly is joined by Newstalk’s Tech Correspondent Jess Kelly and Entertainment Journalist, Rory Cashin to review ‘Generation Why’! Image: Wondery