Lunchtime Live

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 Andrea in the studio to put a smile on your faces…

Due to a nationwide teacher shortage, the Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) is calling for improved pay for educators returning from the United Arab Emirates, in an effort to attract and keep qualified professionals. TUI President Anthony Quinn described the current situation as “utterly unacceptable,” highlighting the lack of secure employment for new teachers. A recent union survey revealed that...

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 Andrea to discuss the early signs of labour!

Legislation was brought in in 2021 that banned the reselling of tickets for more than their face value. The idea was to curb ticket touting and protect consumers.  But, why is it still happening? Joining Andrea to discuss is Consumer Journalist and Presenter of the Home Show on Newstalk Sinead Ryan and Newstalk’s Technology Correspondent Jess Kelly.

U2 is facing online backlash due to statements of support for Gaza that they posted to social media on Sunday. Critics are saying that it’s “too little, too late” and labeling the statements as “performative.” Joining Andrea to discuss is Arts Journalist Louise Bruton, Singer Mary Coughlan, Co-Founder of the Music & Entertainment Association of Ireland Jackie Conboy, Spin Presenter Jess Spence...

For this week’s Ask the Expert, Andrea is joined by Dr Alex Andreev, Consultant Ophthalmologist at Eyedoc Eye Clinic in Blanchardstown to answer all of your eye-related questions!

The Ireland India Council has decided to postpone India Day on the back of the recent attacks faced by the Indian community in Ireland since January. Chairman of the Ireland India Council Preshant Shukla expressed how it was a very difficult and emotional decision to make, but expressed that the celebration is merely postponed, not cancelled. Andrea is joined by members of the Indian community, in...

A shortage of Bean an Tí’s could spell the end of the Gaeltacht… It started with the Covid shutdown apparently, and just hasn’t recovered. What can we do to preserve this tradition? Joining Andrea to discuss is Ruairí Ó Donnáin, Principal of Colaiste Machaire Rabhartaidh Gael Linn. Criostóir Ó Faoláin, Stiúrthóir of Coláiste na Rinne and Bríd, a Bean an Tí in Waterford.

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 owner of Ireland’s first Rage Room, Lukas Baltrusis and Psychologist Dr Malie Coyne to discuss controlled smashing in rage rooms!

Castlebar in Mayo has voted in a motion to ban car clamping in the town. So, should clamping be banned across the country? Andrea is joined by Michael Kilcoyne, Independent Councillor on Mayo County Council, as well as listeners, to discuss.

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

People are apparently taking selfies at the farm of Michael Gaine… Michael Gaine was murdered earlier this year, and it seems to have stoked up some tourism in the area. Who would do this? Andrea is joined by Independent Kerry TD and Junior Minister Michael Healy-Rae to discuss.

Information obtained by Newstalk Breakfast under freedom of information has shown a sharp drop in fines issued for littering in Dublin City. The data collected has shown that only 68 fines have been given out in 2025. If this continues, there will be an 89% drop in fines in the past two years. That includes a 77% drop in Central Dublin, and just one single fine has been issued in Dublin North cent...

A 22-year-old Palestinian woman, Haya, who has been offered a place on a course at TU Dublin, is urgently appealing to the Irish public for help. Currently trapped in Gaza, she faces immense danger and uncertainty, unable to leave safely to pursue her education in Dublin. Haya joins Andrea to discuss…

Welcome to The Pod Squad! We review podcasts every week so you always have something new to listen to. Tom Douglas from the Newstalk Newsroom and Sarah Jayne Tobin, Editor of DMG Media join Andrea Gilligan to review ‘Titanic: Ship of Dreams’! Image: Noisier

There are plans to eradicate “cheat foods” like chicken nuggets or sausages from hot school meals. They will kick off from the start of the new academic year this September. So, is it bad to have a ‘cheat day’ in school meals? Andrea is joined by listeners to discuss.

It’s time for some summer memories! We chat to some well known names and faces and reminisce over those long summer days. Broadcaster Muireann O’Connell joins Andrea to reminisce!

Apparently, Irish people are the second biggest spenders when we’re on holiday - we spend twelve times more than Italians do when they go away! The only people who hit their wallets harder are the Austrians. So, are we really such big spenders? Andrea is joined by Meghann Scully, Freelance Broadcaster and Broadcaster Padraig Wilson McCarthy to discuss.

Independent Senator Gerard Craughwell spoke with Pat Kenny this morning about how he feels equality should be given to all members of the public service after The Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act (FEMPI) cuts were unwound for all members apart from those in Leinster House. So, should politicians be entitled to more perks, or do they get enough? Joining Andrea to discuss is P...

Parents are keeping their pockets lined by teaching their children to steal from shops in Limerick. That’s what Shane Gleeson, who runs several Spar branches across the city, said, and that the Child Protection Agency needs to get involved. How big of a problem is this, and what should the solution be? Andrea is joined by Shane, as well as other shop owners, to discuss…

From an international first date with a Longford man to objections to a British billionaire's Waterford mansion, Breakfast Briefing Presenter Shane Beatty joins Andrea Gilligan with plenty of stories from around the country this week!

AIB and Bank of Ireland have caused uproar in recent weeks with announcements that they expect workers to return to the office. So, is it fair to expect workers to stop working from home? Joining Andrea to discuss is Tracy Keogh, Co-Founder and Chair of Grow Remote, as well as listeners.

When you want to give a room that extra touch of brightness - how do you know which type of lighting to get? Well, the Home Squad are here to talk about all things lighting your home! Joining Andrea to discuss is Jenny Sheehan, Irish Examiner Columnist and former winner of ‘Home of the Year’ (@workerscottage on Instagram) and Founder and Creative Director of Arlene McIntyre Design, Arlene McIntyre...

Once considered a glamorous career among the clouds, the role of cabin crew has evolved into one increasingly focused on sales. Flight attendants, once seen purely as caretakers of passenger comfort, are now often viewed as frontline salespeople, offering everything from snacks to duty-free goods mid-flight. But, has this shift changed the way we perceive cabin crew? Terry Prone, Columnist with th...

A young six-year old child was verbally and physically abused by a group of young teens in Co. Waterford - yet another racially-motivated attack in recent weeks. Anupa Naveen, mother of Nina, joins Andrea to discuss what happened…