Lunchtime Live

Welcome to The Pod Squad! We review podcasts every week so you always have something new to listen to. Elaine Power, host of ‘What’s Trending in F1?’ podcast and Sarah Jayne Tobin, Native Content Editor at DMG Media Ireland join Andrea Gilligan to review ‘Shite Talk: An Irish History Podcast’! Image: HeadStuff Podcasts

With fuel prices rising due to the ongoing war, many people across Ireland are worried about managing their bills in the months ahead. The Government is considering support, including a double fuel allowance payment for vulnerable groups such as pensioners, and a possible extension of the fuel allowance season beyond April, though details are not yet confirmed… Would you accept Government subsidie...

A social enterprise in Queensland, Australia has brought a virtual reality train journey experience to nursing homes. But how does it work? Joining Seán to discuss is Kim Turner, Co-Founder and Experience Designer of Olive Express…

NASA has given the go ahead for the Artemis II mission to the Moon to launch in April, but what exactly is the mission designed to achieve? Joining Seán to discuss is Peter Gallagher, Director of DIAS Dunsink Observatory in Dublin and former employee of NASA… Image: NASA

A bold new addition to this year’s Chelsea Flower Show is turning heads and raising eyebrows. Organisers have unveiled a sex-themed “pleasure garden” sponsored by a sexual wellness brand, aiming to challenge taboos and spark conversation through plants linked to love, lust, and romance. It’s part of a wider shake-up at the iconic event, which will also see the return of garden gnomes and even cont...

It’s become a hallmark of the Trump presidency that visiting world leaders have to sit next to him while he answers questions in the Oval Office. Recently, Trump made a joke about Pearl Harbour in front of the Japanese Prime Minister… Newstalk’s Political Correspondent Seán Defoe has been gathering the most memorable mistakes both from politicians, and joins Seán to discuss.

For this week’s Ask Me Anything, Brian Breathnach, former member of the Garda Water Unit joins Andrea to answer any of your questions!

Today is Daffodil Day. You’ll see people out on the streets collecting money to raise vital funds for the Irish Cancer Society. Andrea decided it would be a good opportunity to be a bit proactive with her health and go and have her skin checked!

Many new fathers are only given two weeks of paternity leave once their baby is born. With the arrival of a new baby being a precious and challenging time, many fathers feel that two weeks off is not enough to help bond with their baby, as well as help their partner to navigate parenthood. Joining Andrea to discuss is Newstalk’s Political Correspondent and new dad Seán Defoe, content creator, ment...

Breakfast Briefing Presenter Shane Beatty joined Andrea with a roundup of some of the stories from across the country this week.

Cork City Council have sparked debate over their new posters to try to encourage people to pick up after their dog. The controversial poster has the slogan ‘Get your shit together’ which has led to some people saying that it’ll only encourage children to curse. What do you think? Are shock tactics the way to go? Or is it a bad example to set our children? Joining Andrea to discuss is Joe O’Shea, E...

Newstalk's Lunchtime Live is hosting this town hall event to bring together listeners who have shared their stories of caring for loved ones with intellectual disabilities, and putting their questions to our expert panel. Speakers on the night included Tony Murray of the 'Before We Die’ campaign alongside Solicitors Aileen Curry and David Hickey to discuss and answer questions on The Assisted Deci...

With the weather (hopefully) taking a turn for the better, now is a great time to set your garden up for success, but what’s the best way to go about it? This week, the Home Squad are here to discuss how to get the garden ready! Joining Andrea to discuss is Brian Burke Woodie's DIY & Garden Expert and RTÉ Super Garden judge and Hazel Burton from The Home Reset.

How would you react if you received a 13 minute voicenote? Would you be delighted, or does it fill you with dread?  Deirdre Reynolds, Writer and Columnist and Rob Kenny of Rob Kenny PR join Andrea to discuss.

This month is Endometriosis awareness month. It’s a condition that we’ve talked about at length on the show, so Andrea decided to travel out to St Michael’s Holy Faith in Finglas to listen to - Endo and Me – which is a talk on Menstrual education and endometriosis. How important are these talks? And have we come much further on endo treatment? Also joining Andrea to discuss is Damien Donoghue, Cha...

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 Alan Buckley from the Irish Rock ‘N’ Roll Museum Experience, who’s going to talk through The Undertones’ self-titled album!

The Newstalk Changemaker Business Awards are back, and there is still time to enter! These awards in association with FBD, recognise extraordinary business achievements across nine different categories. CEO of Open Doors, Jeanne McDonagh, won the Inclusive Workplace category last year and she joins us now...

Many hauliers across the country have taken to the picket lines this morning, calling on the Government to introduce measures to ease the burden of rising fuel costs. With fuel prices now exceeding €2 per litre, hauliers are urging the temporary suspension of planned carbon tax increases, as well as the removal of toll charges on the M50 for both hauliers and motorists. Joining Andrea to discuss t...

For a number of weeks, we have been hearing stories from parents of children with intellectual disabilities, with many parents fearing what will happen to their adult children after they are gone… Caroline Roche is the mother of Helena. Helena has Down syndrome, autism, epilepsy, and finds it increasingly difficult to walk. Caroline joins Andrea to share her story…

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…

During the annual St Patrick’s Day visit to the White House, US President Donald Trump called Irish President Catherine Connolly a man in an answer to a question on Iran. This mistake is not the only reason this is in the news: people are talking Taoiseach Michéal Martin did not correct him… So, what do you think, and how often do you see this happening in general? Joining Andrea to discuss is New...

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 discuss what to know if you’re travelling while pregnant...

Are you trying to buy a house? What things do you wish people had told you? Buying a home can be long and stressful, and Journalist Céire Sadlier has been writing about the things that actually helped her during the process… She joins Andrea to discuss, as well as listeners.

Tens of thousands of people took to the city of Dublin yesterday to celebrate St Patrick's Day. Tourists and locals alike gathered in their droves, with many celebrating on the streets while others filled bars and restaurants, partying well into the night. This morning, those returning to the city center were met with the aftermath of the festivities. Streets were strewn with litter, broken glass,...

Dr Brian King from Drumcondra Medical joined Andrea Gilligan to tackle your medical queries.