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

Would you like to live to 150? 21.11.2025

A Chinese start-up has claimed to have developed a pill in the lab that could potentially extend human life to 150 years. This begs the question, even if we could, would you like to live to 150 years of age? Joining guest host Anna Daly to discuss is Terry Prone, Columnist with The Irish Examiner and Chairman of the Communications Clinic and Liam Collins, Columnist with The Irish Independent.

Regional Roundup with Alex Rowley 21.11.2025

From €80 t-shirts to a record wool map of Ireland, Alex Rowley from the Newstalk Newsroom joins guest host Anna Daly with stories from around the country that you might have missed this week…

Does parking put you off going places? 21.11.2025

Fingal County Council has approved plans to introduce paid parking at Blanchardstown Shopping Centre, despite growing local protests. The new system, proposed by the centre’s owners, aims to improve traffic flow, but residents, workers and public representatives say it will place extra costs on staff and undermine what has long been a key community space in Dublin 15. So, is parking getting too ex...

Should Ireland’s World Cup playoff come with a national holiday? 20.11.2025

Anna’s guest has launched a petition calling for a once-off national holiday on March 27th, 2026: the day after Ireland’s World Cup playoff semi-final. The aim is to give the whole country the chance to come together and support the team during what could be a rare and historic moment for Irish football… If Ireland reaches the final, the petition also calls for March 31st and April 1st to be decla...

Should we introduce bowel cards? 20.11.2025

Many people living with conditions such as IBS and Crohn’s disease can be left in distressing situations when they suddenly need to use the toilet. For them, this isn’t a matter of convenience - it’s a medical necessity. Yet, many bars and restaurants restrict toilet access to paying customers. So, what does that mean for those living with long-term digestive conditions, and how can society better...

The importance of sharing a meal! 20.11.2025

Gen Z are accused of many things: that they’re chronically online, surgically attached to their phones, avoidant of eye contact and allergic to small talk. They are, we’re told, the loneliest generation, and supposedly the one least able to hold a conversation with a stranger… So, it may come as a surprise to learn that they, not the extroverted, freewheeling generations before them, are the ones...

The Making of Amy Winehouse’s ‘Back to Black’ 20.11.2025

We’ve decided to do a deep dive on some of our favourite albums to explore the stories behind them. What did the artists really think of each other? Where did the inspirations from the songs come from? Joining Andrea to discuss is Head Tour Guide at the Irish Rock ‘N’ Roll Museum Experience, Alan Buckley, who’s going to talk through Amy Winehouse’s album ‘Back to Black’!

How will the Government get enough workers for the MetroLink? 20.11.2025

Dublin’s MetroLink project is expected to need around 8,000 construction workers. Programme Director Sean Sweeney has said Ireland may have to recruit many from abroad to meet that demand. But, with construction already facing labour shortages and workers continuing to emigrate due to high living costs and the housing crisis, serious questions are being raised about how the State can attract and h...

Does a lack of confidence rub off on your children? 19.11.2025

If you have a lack of confidence in yourself, how likely is that going to be carried over to your children? And, what should be done about it? Joining guest host Anna Daly to discuss is Personal Trainer and mam Georgy Dillion and Life Coach Mark Fennell.

Reasons to be Happy: Wicked, Cookies, Locals 19.11.2025

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 guest host Anna Daly in the studio to put a smile on your faces… Image: Universal Pictures

Should defibrillators be on Google Maps? 19.11.2025

Defibrillators when used are often lifesaving. With many registered defibrillators provided in towns and villages, they are a great resource. While registered, however, it can often be hard to locate. By adding these to Google Maps, residents and visitors will be able to find the nearest defibrillators in the event of an emergency… Do you think Google should make defibrillators available on Google...

Making Babies: Birthing Options 19.11.2025

Every Wednesday afternoon, we’ll be talking Making Babies. Andrea will be joined by Professor Shane Higgins, Master of the National Maternity Hospital, 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 guest host Anna Daly to discuss your birthing options when the tim...

Is dating dead? 19.11.2025

According to a recent survey, 62% of men believe that “women have too many expectations of how men should be in relationships these days”. 44% say they would have to change too much about themselves in order to make a serious relationship work long-term… Not very romantic, is it? It begs the question: is dating dead? And if it is, who, or what is killing it? Joining guest host Anna Daly to discuss...

Is it fair to increase the health insurance levy? 19.11.2025

Health insurance costs are set to rise again as the HIA plans a 10% increase in the levy that funds subsidies for older and higher-risk customers. With premiums already climbing, we ask: what will this mean for the 2.5 million people with cover, and is the system fair? Joining guest host Anna Daly to discuss is Dermot Goode, Health Insurance Expert with Health Insurance Ireland, as well as listene...

Ask the Expert: Tinnitus 18.11.2025

For this week’s Ask the Expert, guest host Anna Daly is joined by Audiologist Frank McGrath, to answer any of your hearing and tinnitus-related questions!

How to avoid Christmas burnout 18.11.2025

Christmas parties are starting, group dinners are being planned, the shopping has already started… It can be easier to feel overwhelmed in the run up to Christmas, so how do you avoid feeling burned out? Joining guest host Anna Daly to discuss is Siobhan Murray, Psychotherapist and Expert on Burnout Management.

Is there too much pressure on women to ‘bounce back’? 18.11.2025

If you or someone you know has had or is having a baby, chances are you’ve talked about the idea of ‘bouncing back’. It’s the idea that women should ‘recover’ as quickly and seamlessly as possible, even though pregnancy and birth are major, sometimes traumatic, medical events. Niamh O’Sullivan is an influencer and a new mother, and she recently posted about this, writing that she looks the same at...

How I Live Well: Vitamin D 18.11.2025

It's How I live well time! Where someone joins to discuss what they do to improve their life... This week, guest host Anna Daly is joined by Aileen Cox Blundell, Nutritionist, to talk all things Vitamin D!

How many interview rounds is enough for a job? 18.11.2025

We’ve all heard the stories - you ace the first interview, then the next, then another, and you’re still not sure if you’ll get the job! It seems more and more Irish jobseekers are being asked to jump through hoop after hoop to secure roles, but is all this really helping companies, or just putting great candidates off? Joining guest host Anna Daly to discuss is Tracey Keevans, Global FDI Director...

Do we need more checkpoints on roads? 18.11.2025

After a very tragic accident occurred in Dundalk at the weekend, many people are saddened and worried by the danger of Irish roads. One listener got in touch to discuss his frustration and upset at the lack of Garda checkpoints on Irish roads, despite plenty being in place during the lockdown… How do you feel? Are there enough checkpoints, or do we need to see more to prevent further accidents fro...

Ask the GP Dr Nina Byrnes 17.11.2025

Dr. Nina Byrnes, GP at Generation Health Medical Clinic joined Anna Daly to answer your questions .

Does having an unusual name impact your life ? 17.11.2025

There’s a lot of research to say that what you are called impacts the kind of life you will lead, especially if you have an unusual name. Over the last few years, there has been a rise in ‘uncommon’ names with people calling their kids Apple, North, and Peach, even! But does having a strange name have any impact on your life ? Joining Anna Daly in for Andrea was Baby Name Expert & Celebrity Na...

Dublin Women housebound due to accessibility issues at accommodation 17.11.2025

Miriam is a 69-year-old wheelchair user. She got in touch with  Lunchtime Live to tell the current issues she is facing with her accommodation. As a wheelchair user, her Dublin City Council apartment fails to meet her disability needs, making her housebound. She joined Anna Daly in for Andrea to discuss the impact the issue is having on her life.

Euphoria in Budapest, where were you on a famous day for Irish Football ? 17.11.2025

It’s a moment we’ll be ‘parroting’ about for many years to come – Ireland’s World Cup dream kept alive, with Troy Parrot sealing victory in the sixth-minute of injury-time, scoring a hat-trick and securing the comeback win against Hungary, 3-2 the final score. Where were you when the goal was scored, and is this up there with Ireland’s greatest ever sporting moments? Joining Lunchtime Live were Ir...

Does the application process for school places need reform after all ? 17.11.2025

  On Friday, families across Ireland received school place offers.  In many areas in the country where acute population growth has been recorded, many families struggle to secure school places for their children. Despite a pilot scheme being rolled out to remove the need to apply for schools individually in towns facing shortages. Louise in Greystones joined Lunchtime live to discuss her...

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