Lunchtime Live

Andrea Gilligan was at Liberty Hall this morning where the National Women’s Council organised a National Day of Action calling for public, affordable childcare.   She met with Vicky Masterson, a mother of two, Engineer and mum of one Sinead Massey and Eilish Balfe, the Care Officer in the National Women’s Council...

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has defended its ‘be seen, be safe’ campaign for pedestrians and cyclists to wear high-visibility clothing amid accusations of ‘victim blaming’ vulnerable road users.   Galway City Councillor and founder of Galway Cycle Bus Alan Curran has slammed the RSA for ‘failing’ in its mandate to protect pedestrians and cyclists.  What do you think? Is this cam...

The Loneliness Taskforce has criticised the Government for “not living up to their commitment to tackle loneliness”. The report published in June found Ireland had the highest rates of loneliness in the EU, with 20% of Irish participants feeling lonely most or all of the time compared to an European average of 13%. Andrea was joined by listeners to discuss...

As the cost-of-living crisis continues to bite across the country, Newstalk is here to help with a new online series highlighting the best ways to save on your bills. Cut-the-Cost will offer tips and advice on how to save on everything from energy and the weekly shop to modern essentials like broadband and phone contracts. Aoife Kearns, from our news team has done the hard work and...

DCU has come under fire for charging the students living on campus €56 to park there for the week.  Previously, students living on campus had to enter a lottery to get allocated a car parking space, which cost €200 last year.  But the car park will now be on a ‘first come, first served’ basis, and parking their cars overnight full-time will cost students living on campus hundreds of euro...

Are we biased against people from Northern Ireland?   Talking about the recent no confidence vote in Garda Commissioner, and Northerner, Drew Harris, Sunday Times Columnist Alison O’Connor wondered whether an unconscious bias against people in Northern Ireland was to blame. What do you think? Do we have an unconscious bias against people from the North? Are they ‘othered’?   An...

Disability advocate Niamh Ní Hoireabhaird has spoke in the Independent about her excitement about getting married, but the issues it could create for her with her disability allowance.   Niamh joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live to discuss...

For the first time ever the number of beds available to tourists on Venice’s main island has surpassed the number of year-round residents.  Do we run the risk of going the same road? Are we taking care of tourists too much at a loss to everyone else?  Andrea was joined by James Madigan, Stalwart of the Liberties Cultural Association and other listeners to discuss?

Last week, Andrea spoke to Mactalene Palm, whose daughter Amber disappeared while on holiday in Disneyland. Today, Mactalene joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live with an update...

The Book of Kells was in the news this week. Trinity College students blocked access for tourists to the Book of Kells this morning. They’re protesting as part of a ‘Freeze the Rents’ housing protest, we talked about it ourselves on the show on Wednesday.    Since then there has been a lot of talk about the Book of Kells and the fact that it is located in Trinity College. There have been...

One of the toughest things a family can go through, is having child that is sick. Particularly one that is sick for a long period of time. As well as the incredible emotional toil it can take, there is a huge financial aspect to this. And it’s often one that isn’t considered unless you’re going through it yourself. Parents have to miss work or sometimes even give up their jobs to take on caring du...

To celebrate Love Donegal Day, Andrea Gilligan was joined by Kieran Cuddihy in studio and he put her through her paces with a quiz all about Donegal...

As part of Love Donegal Day Andrea Gilligan took a genealogy test to see just how Donegal she really is. Jennifer Doyle, researcher with ancestry.com joined Andrea in studio to reveal the results…  

The Draft Dublin City Centre Transport Plan is the latest attempt from Dublin City Council and the National Transport Authority to deal with the traffic and public transport issues in the city centre.    The plan will involve car restrictions, and in some cases total car bans from large parts of the city. Right now, there’s huge congestion and the experience for anyone cyling or usi...

Chambers Bar is a well known LGBTQ+ bar in Cork city. It hosts Drag nights and brunches regularly and has always been considered one of the top spaces for those events in the city.    For Freshers week this year they have changed their name to 'Sinners' and removed all their gay flags and signs. The speculation seems to be that’s it’s a commercial decision to get a larger crowd...

Last week, Gayle told us her heartbreaking experience of being unable to go to her mother’s funeral because she couldn’t get respite for her disabled son.  Anne Rabbitte, Minister of State. Department of Children, Disability, Equality, Integration and Youth joined Andrea to give her reaction and discuss future plans for supports for carers. Gayle also joined Andrea after listening to the Mini...

Trinity College students have clashed with tourists as they blockade access to the Book of Kells this morning. They’re protesting as part of a ‘Freeze the Rents’ housing protest.  Andrea Gilligan was joined on Lunchtime Live by László Molnárfi is the President of Trinity Student's Union and other students to discuss...

How important are soaps in discussing national issues? Between Fair City introducing a far right character to discussions surrounding storylines like teen pregnancies, addiction and gay rights – soaps have always tried to reflect the society we live in. But do they continue to have a place in our society? Andrea was joined by Alan Flannagan, Hollyoaks writer and Jay Brannigan, director of soaps li...

RTÉ has refused to publish a list of its top 100 earners, saying it would be “inappropriate” to ask staff for permission to release their names alongside their salaries.     The broadcaster told an Oireachtas media committee that “It remains inappropriate to ask staff for permission to release their names alongside their salaries." Andrea was joined by listeners to discuss...

Communities in North Kildare are protesting today about access to a major public site being cut off.    Access to the Castletown House estate in Celbridge will be completely cut off from one side.    It’s annoyed the local community and residents have blocked the road this morning believing the owners intended to renovate the site immediately.  Andrea was joined by Social...

Third level students around the country are struggling to find accommodation for the start of the academic year.    UCD and Trinity students union have been handing out fliers around Dublin to encourage people to rent out rooms in their homes. There are stories in nearly every university and college of the difficulties their students are facing.  Andrea was joined by Charlie, M...

Following the devastating earthquake in Morocco, the death toll is now close to 3,000 people. It was a 6.8 magnitude earthquake, the strongest in the North African country's history, that struck 72km southwest of the city of Marrakesh.    Andrea was joined by Russell, from Bangor in Down who is living in Marrakesh and Asia from Cork who has since returned home…

Working from home is apparently playing havoc with our diets! We’re far more likely to snack on indulgent things and eat more often when doing the day job from the comfort of your own home. That is according to a new survey by Compass Group Ireland.   Andrea was joined by Keelin O'Dwyer, Behavioural Psychologist to discuss...

The school day routine has arrived back in families lives with a bang. However, uniforms are still a contentious issue among parents. How do you feel about school uniforms? Are they old fashioned? Or do they still serve a purpose?  Andrea was joined by parents and listeners to discuss...

Mother of four Shannon Meenan Browse from Derry sadly died last month following gastric sleeve surgery abroad. Her family wants to tell Shannon’s story to warn others of the possible risks of having this surgery overseas. Shannon’s Dad Shane and Brother Conneith joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live to discuss…