Lunchtime Live

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

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...

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

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

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...

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

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.

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,...

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.

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

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  

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...

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...

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 David Bowie's Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust

Panic attacks can be brought on by bouts of anxiety and leave people utterly debilitated...   Dominique McMullan, Image Media Editorial Director, shared her story online and joined Andrea to reflect on the impact of Panic Attacks on her and what she has done to address them

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…

Recently, we have had a few of our listeners reach out to tell us their experience when getting their staff Garda vetted.   Garda vetting is a check of your criminal record or any threat to children or vulnerable adults in Ireland.   Andrea was joined by James Hennessy, Zoo director of the National Reptile Zoo Antonio Montero, Coach, Mark Candon, Principal of St. Laurence O'Toole's Natio...

New Airbnb regulations will prevent homeowners in towns with populations exceeding 20,000 from renting their properties on a short-term basis for more than 90 days per year. Enterprise Minister Peter Burke confirmed that Government leaders agreed to the change on Monday night, stating that the Coalition must remain “cognisant” of tourism-dependent towns with limited hotel capacity. With hotel pric...

It’s time for Making Babies. We hope that this piece and all the podcasts of the episodes before it can help people anywhere on their fertility journey.   Today, we’re talking about taking the step to try IVF, and how you should be prepared for that. Professor Shane Higgins, Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist at the National Maternity Hospital, joined Andrea

The Oyekanmi family came to Ireland a number of years ago from Nigeria. Titilayo Oluwakemi Oyekanmi, and her three boys sought asylum here. But the family is to due face deportation tomorrow. Titilayo joined Andrea to discuss their campaign for the Justice Department to intervene in their case. Also joining Andrea was Finbarr O’Brien, De La Salle Rugby Club, where Titilayo's son has become involve...

Has your train line been closed for a few months?   Or maybe there’s a new one due to open near you and you’re wondering when? Joining Andrea to answer all your rail-related questions was Barry Kenny of Irish Rail.

Over the past week and a half, we’ve been hearing from parents of children with disabilities who are living with constant fear, anxiety, and deep frustration at the lack of support for their children when their parents are no longer here. Their stories have been powerful, and the emotional toll on families is impossible to ignore. Joining Andrea was another parent whose son has managed to secure a...

In a bid to tackle Frances declining birth rate  every 29-year-old in the country will receive a letter encouraging them to have babies before it’s too late. What do you think of this? Is it a good approach? Or a bit heavy-handed? Joining Andrea was Helena Tubridy, Fertility coach, and Newstalk's own Laura Hannon and listeners who joined Andrea with their opinions

We’ve been breaking down all the most instrumental elements of exercise over the last few weeks- and how sometimes embracing simple things can be the most important. This week, we’re looking at walking – often overlooked and probably underrated- should we embrace it more? Joining Andrea was John Belton, Head coach and owner of No.17 Training who brought in a walking pad for Andrea to try.

We all need a bit of inspiration in the kitchen, but have we moved away from the traditional cookbook altogether, with TikTok changing our food habits once and for all? Joining Andrea was Chef Daniel Lambert, Keith Grant Master Butchers in Roundwood, Wicklow and Aileen Cox Blundell Nutritionist, and known on Instagram as @babyledfeeding