Newstalk

Lunchtime Live

Society EN ↓ 5023 episodes

Andrea Gilligan invites callers to have their say on the topics of the day - get in touch by emailing  lunchtimelive@newstalk.com Listen and subscribe to Lunchtime Live on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. CONVERSATION THAT COUNTS | Ireland’s national independent talk station for news, sport, analysis and entertainment Listen to Newstalk at  http://newstalk.com/listenlive  | Download the GoLoud app now, the new home for Newstalk

Author

Newstalk

Category

Society

Podcast website

pscrb.fm

Latest episode

Jul 10, 2026

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Episodes

Séamus Culleton’s daughter: “no sympathy whatsoever” on ICE detainment 18.02.2026

Irishman Seamus Culleton was issued a temporary order postponing his deportation  from the US yesterday… He was moved to a detention facility after being arrested by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers in September. He spoke out last week - prompting much discussion about his detention here at home. Today, one of his twin daughters, Heather Morrisey, joins Andrea to discuss…...

Making Babies: Barriers for conception 18.02.2026

Every Wednesday afternoon, we’ll be talking Making Babies. Andrea will be joined by Professor Shane Higgins, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, to cover every area of trying to have a baby. From the very start of knowing how to prepare, right up to pregnancy – and all the bumps in the road in between. This week, Shane joins Andrea to answer any of your questions, and discuss the common bar...

What are ‘mass bangers’? 18.02.2026

Hopefully you’ll be singing from the same hymn sheet as Andrea’s guest… Musician Paul Luby is well known for his covers of ‘mass bangers’ and he joins to discuss what they are, and why they have become so popular.

What should be done about dangerous scrambler driving? 18.02.2026

A video has been posted online, showing a group of teenage boys riding scramblers on Cork’s busiest road at near-peak traffic. The youths were seen speeding and doing wheelies along the N40 near Douglas, only two weeks after the government announced a crackdown on scramblers following the death of Grace Lynch in Finglas… So, what should be done about this behaviour? Joining Andrea to discuss is Jo...

Does the new ‘Monk’ play glamourise crime? 17.02.2026

Rex Ryan’s ‘The Monk’, which is about the life of Gerry ‘The Monk’ Hutch, opened last night at the Ambassador Theatre in Dublin. Andrea was in attendance, as well as Gerry Hutch, who also performed in the play. The question surrounding this play is: does it glamourise crime? Andrea was able to ask this exact question to those who watched it…

Should we expect more rain this week? 17.02.2026

Met Éireann has issued a yellow weather warning for multiple counties this week. So, how bad should we expect the weather this week, and how are people recovering after Storm Chandra? Andrea is joined by Cathal Nolan, Founder of Ireland’s Weather Channel, as well as listeners, to discuss.

How I Live Well: Pancakes 17.02.2026

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 Nutritionist Aileen Cox Blundell (@babyledfeeding on Instagram) to discuss how you can make this Pancake Tuesday a bit more healthy with a few smart ingredient swaps!

Should rent be increased in social housing? 17.02.2026

People living in council housing may be required to pay higher rent contributions if their adult children are working and earning an income. With the rising cost of living and the ongoing housing crisis making it increasingly difficult for adults to move out, is the Government’s failure to address housing affordability now placing an unfair financial burden on families who are already struggling?...

Ask the GP with Dr Niall Breen 16.02.2026

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

What needs to be done for carers? 16.02.2026

For the past few weeks, we’ve heard heartbreaking stories from listeners about their experiences of being carers for their disabled adult children – and their worries about what’ll happen to them when they die… So, where do we go from here? Joining Andrea to discuss is Derval McDonagh, CEO of Inclusion Ireland.

Vaping added to Confirmation pledge: is it necessary? 16.02.2026

The pledge taken by children at confirmation has been updated to include abstinence from smoking and vaping, alongside drinking and using illicit drugs. The change follows a sharp increase in young people smoking and vaping, which the church described as a “thoughtful and prayerful response to the lived realities of young people today.” Andrea is joined by listeners to discuss.

Summer McKesson on discovering dark truths after DNA test 16.02.2026

DNA tests have become very popular, whether to find long lost relatives, to trace your ethnicity, or maybe to find out some answers about your health – but sometimes the results can bring up more questions than answers... That was certainly the case for Summer McKesson, who joins Andrea to discuss…

The Pod Squad: Ill-advised by Bill Nighy 16.02.2026

Welcome to The Pod Squad! We review podcasts every week so you always have something new to listen to. Newstalk’s Rory Galvin and Host of the ‘For Tech’s Sake’ podcast Elaine Burke join Andrea Gilligan to review ‘Ill-advised by Bill Nighy’! Image: EYEPOD Studios

Over 1,000 arrested driving under the influence in 2025 - what needs to be done? 16.02.2026

More than 1,000 people were arrested for driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol at the end of 2025. Even more concerning, one individual was arrested 15 times within a three-year period in 2021 - a striking example of repeat offending that calls into question the effectiveness of current enforcement measures and deterrents on Irish roads. What does this mean for the safety of drivers, cy...

Ask me Anything: Ross Ennis, Manager at Emerald Park 13.02.2026

For this week’s Ask Me Anything, Andrea was joined by the manager at Emerald Park Theme park Ross Ennis !

Will you feel pressure to propose on valentines tomorrow? 13.02.2026

With tomorrow being Valentines day, there will be many who may feel pressure to pop the question tomorrow. But should you? Joining Andrea to discuss  was Counselling psychologist Niamh Delmar and  Nick Appleby from Appleby Jewellers, who sell engagement rings

Continued: Taoiseach responds to Anna, a mother, who dropped her disabled adult daughter at A&E due to a lack of care supports 13.02.2026

For the past two weeks, Lunchtime Live has spoken to parents who are caring for adult children with intellectual disabilities about their struggles to get support for their care. Yesterday, Andrea spoke to Mother “Anna” who dropped her daughter off at A&E because she had reached a breaking point in trying to care for her. Today, Taoiseach Micheal Martin responded to Anna's story. Andrea also s...

Is Dublin just a city for tourists? 13.02.2026

Over the past few decades, the number of tourists in Dublin has been on the rise, helping to create jobs and fuel the economy. But has the city become to tourist centric? And is it making the quality of life for residents worse with noise pollution ? Joining Andrea to discuss was Robbie Kitt - DJ, Give us the Night Campaign, Jamie Harrington and Aaron, a Taxi Driver in Dublin

Regional Roundup with Laura Donnelly 13.02.2026

From ghostly goings on in Leinster House, to Irish interest at Crufts – Laura Donnelly joined Andrea with a roundup of some of the stories from across the country this week.

Flooding in Dublin causes significant disruption, including to Dublin Airport. We speak to those who have been impacted 13.02.2026

Severe flooding has caused significant disruption across Dublin following heavy rainfall overnight, with many areas experiencing dangerous road conditions and traffic delays. Dublin Airport has urged passengers to allow extra travel time due to heavy congestion and flooding on key routes to the airport. Meanwhile, residents on Marrsfield Avenue in the Belmayne area have been particularly hard hit,...

Political Reaction to the mother who dropped her disabled adult daughter at A&E due to a lack of care supports 12.02.2026

Earlier in the show Andrea spoke to one mother Anna who had been driven to breaking point looking for support who had no other option but to drop her daughter at A&E. Cian O’Callaghan- Deputy Leader of the Social Democrats joined Andrea to discuss.

Continued: Mother caring for disabled adult child reached breaking point and dropped her child at A&E 12.02.2026

Tony Murray spoke to us about how difficult life can be for parents looking after adult children with intellectual disabilities, he mentioned one mother who had been driven to breaking point looking for support who had no other option but to drop her daughter at A&E...  That mother joined Andrea to discuss

The Home Squad: Integrating tech without ruining your interior 12.02.2026

You spend a lot of your life on one, so how do you know if you’re sleeping on the right mattress for you? This week, the Home Squad are here to discuss all things tech and home, Joining Andrea to discuss is  Jenny Sheahan -Home Squad Regular and ‘workers cottage’ on Instagram  and Jenny Butler  from Jennifer Anne Interiors  

Dail Bar Tab revealed with the sale of shots on the up. Is it time to get rid of the bar altogether? 12.02.2026

It has been revealed that sales of shots and drinks surged in the Dail bar last year, rising by a four hundred and forty five thousand euro. So what do you think of this bar tab? Andrea was joined by Aisling Moloney, Newstalk Reporter and former Political Correspondent Fianna Fail TD, Malcolm Byrne Malcolm Byrne, Brid Smith former People before profit TD, former Senator, Mary Seary Kearney  a...

Are daughters more expensive than sons? 12.02.2026

A recent study has found that daughters cost parents more than sons. According to the research, daughters are more likely to want pricier clothes, beauty products and experiences, with parents also reportedly spending more on things like activities and social costs.?   So Are boys more expensive than their female siblings?   Joining Andrea was  Katie Makk from Opinions Matter Podcas...

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