Lunchtime Live

Should the GAA reverse its cashless ticketing at the gates for games? Aontú and Age Action Northern Ireland is calling on the GAA to scrap its policy of no longer accepting cash for tickets as some elderly people struggle to buy things online. Andrea was joined on Lunchtime Live by Paddy in Donegal, Craig in Swords and Paul Dolan from The Barn in Glenmire...

The priority for the €3.5 billion spending by the Department of Transport this year is the development of local link and town bus services. Andrea had her own problem with public transport recently and she spoke to other listeners about difficulties with public transport is in their area…

There has been a spate of vandalism and antisocial behaviour across the country this week. Spray paint on the ancient Lia Fáil standing stone on the Hill of Tara in Co Meath, damage to the green in Tidy Town winning village Malin in Donegal and the theft of a virgin Mary statue in County Wicklow. Andrea was joined by Councillor Nick Killian, Chairperson of Meath County Council, Andy McGonigle of M...

Following an Oireachtas Health Committee on Bullying in the HSE this morning, Andrea was joined on Lunchtime Live by Sinn Féin TD and Party Health Spokesperson, David Cullinane to discuss...

An Oireachtas Health Committee on Bullying in the HSE was held this morning following stories raised by listeners on Lunchtime Live. Politicians, General Secretary of the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation Phil Ní Sheaghdha, Dr Clive Kilgallen from the Irish Medical Organisation and representatives from other unions all spoke at the committee this morning. For reaction to this, Andrea was join...

A decision by Lidl in Navan to refuse service to unaccompanied under-18s has caused a stir locally. Andrea was joined by locals Julia, Thomasina and other listeners to discuss…

Up to 12,000 vulnerable people were denied their disability allowance payments from the State. Louise got in touch with Lunchtime Live to discuss a situation her sister was in a number of years ago…

Figures from the Department of Education show that there are record numbers of teachers on career breaks. With a current shortage of teachers, is it time career breaks were suspended? Andrea was joined by Kieran Christie, General Secretary of ASTI, Simon Lewis, Principal of Carlow Educate Together and others to discuss...

Would you like to see street art legalised here? Sinn Féin TD Eoin Ó Broin has launched a bill in the Dáil to make it easier for public city art to be produced without fear of prosecution. What do you think of the idea?

It something we spoke about on the show earlier in the week – online abuse. We’re still getting emails in in reaction to it. George Lawlor, Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council joined Andrea today to share his experience with threats and abuse.

Should the state pay half a million euro so that Katie Taylor can fight in Croke Park? That’s the question on everyone’s lips today as it turns out the only thing standing in her way, is a five hundred thousand euro security bill. Otherwise, she’ll be fighting in The Point. The Point has between 8,000 or 10,000 tickets, but if it was Croke Park has 80,000 seats. Would she sell out such a venue? Ar...

Should drugs be decriminalised? Two Fianna Fáil TDs, have said that the on drugs is not working, and there must be a decriminalisation of drugs. Recreational drug users could be able to access ‘natural-grown’ substance in an ‘off licence’-style outlet. What do you think? Would you like to see this introduced? Andrea was joined by Dr. Garret McGovern Medical Director of the Priority Medical Clinic...

It’s been announced that Katie Taylor won’t play Croke Park because of the costs of using the venue. On top of that, we found out yesterday that Beyonce won’t be coming here as part of her world tour – that adds her to the names like Madonna and Coldplay that have skipped Ireland on their tours. Is it just too expensive here to play gigs? Does it make Ireland less appealing as an option? Andrea wa...

There is a video circulating online from an anti-immigration protest outside Finglas Garda station last night. A protestor can be heard shouting “You need to go to where these people are staying and burn them out”, - that is what we are hearing – to cheers – at these anti-immigration protests. Is this what we have become as a country? Andrea was joined on the show by listeners to discuss the threa...

Monday sees the first St Brigid’s Day Bank Holiday. However, some people feel that it shouldn’t be called after a Saint and we should be moving away from religious bank holidays. Andrea was joined by listeners on Lunchtime Live to discuss...

Journalist, Kathy Donaghy’s had an article in the Irish Independent over the weekend, where she wrote about her experience of miscarriage and how she coped in the aftermath. Andrea Gilligan was joined on Lunchtime Live by Jennifer to talk about her experience...

Emily Atack’s documentary on sexual harassment Asking for It? aired on TV last night. The former Inbetweeners actress star told viewers how every morning she would wake up to unsolicited pictures from men. Have you ever received unsolicited pictures?

Childcare costs have long been a crippling cost for parents across the country, but good news could be on the horizon. Under plans going to Cabinet, thousands of parents may receive childminding subsidies. Will this help you? How much are you currently paying? Andrea was joined by Treasa, Sarah and Siobhán to discuss...

What are the roads like in your local area? Meath County Council has revealed that it has paid out almost €60,000 in pothole claims in the last three years. Andy McGuinniety, a driving instructor in Meath joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live to discuss…

A novel from Jane Austen has been given a trigger warning for depicting ‘gender stereotypes’ and ‘toxic relationships and friendships.' Austen’s ‘Northanger Abbey’, released in 1817 has been deemed to be potentially upsetting by academics at the University of Greenwich. What do you think about adding ‘trigger warnings’ to books, movies, TV shows? Andrea was joined by listeners of Lunchtime Live to...

When you’re diagnosed with a serious illness, it’s enough to try focus on getting the right treatment and keeping yourself strong without fighting for support at every turn. Our listener Lisa joined us to share her story.

There are over 500 households in Ireland living in so-called ghost estates. So some will be occupied but with a few shells of houses left. The Department of Housing is finalizing a survey from last year which found that there are 459 occupied houses and 63 occupied apartments remaining in locations that would be considered ‘unfinished’. These are crazy numbers when you consider our housing crisis,...

A new campaign is calling on everyone in Ireland to learn the words to Amhrán na bhFiann. Rachel J Cooper, who is heading up the ‘Learn Our Anthem’ initiative says Amhrán na bhFiann should be learned in the classroom, so people don't continue to mumble it at matches... So few of us seem to know the words of the national anthem – is it time for a change? Do we need a new, updated national anthem?

Our listener recently fell victim to a scam. He clicked a link and handed over his bank details. His bank accounts were hit. EBS were great and helped him get his money back, however, he says Revolut were absolutely no help and he wants to warn people about it. What to do in such case? We ask Sinead Ryan, our consumer affairs expert.

Protests have taken place across the country over the last few months about the influx of refugees into the country. Some with genuine concerns around housing and facilities, but a lot using it as an excuse to spread anti-refugee hatred and racism. Has there been a rise in the far right here? Is it just that we’re seeing their views more? Or are they growing as a movement? Shane Beatty was joined...