Lunchtime Live
Episodes
'It's a life skill': Should driving lessons be carried out in schools?
18 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Independent Kerry TD Michael Healy Ray told Newstalk Breakfast that students should be finishing school with a leaving cert and a driving license.Shou...
Israel-Hamas war: 'It's difficult for the west to get involved in this'
18 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
US President Joe Biden landed in Israel on a solidarity visit this morning. It comes after around 500 Palestinians were killed in a blast at a Gaza Ci...
‘We love our town’ - Locals respond as Fermoy labelled 'horrible town' on Graham Norton Show
17 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On the Graham Norton Show on BBC last week, a woman who used to live in Fermoy called it a ‘horrible town’.The comments made by the woman while in...
Listener email: ‘I have always had an issue with alcohol, but it’s gotten worse’
17 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A listener emailed Lunchtime Live as she was seeking some help and guidance around her struggle with alcohol.Brendan Kelly, Professor of Psychiatry at...
'It's absolutely crazy' - Christmas shopping starting earlier every year
17 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Halloween is right around the corner, and yet shops are stocked with Christmas decorations. Brown Thomas on Grafton Street has had it’s Christmas sh...
President Higgins is 'in touch with the people' of Ireland
17 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
President Michael D Higgins says Ursula von der Leyen is ‘not speaking for Ireland’ following comments she made on the Palestine / Israel conflict...
Weight jokes ‘not acceptable anymore’ in film and television
16 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Director and Writer Richard Curtis has promised never to make “fat” jokes in his work again. He’s famous for films like Love Actually, Four...
Cut-the-Cost: Here's the best way to save on your groceries
16 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
As the cost-of-living crisis continues to bite across the country, Newstalk is here to help with a new online series highlighting the best w...
Pressure for expensive Halloween costumes 'coming from parents'
16 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Halloween is right around the corner. If you have children in school you’ll probably be bombarded with costume parties. We want to talk about w...
'We'd end up being ruled from abroad' - Should the Irish abroad get a vote in elections?
16 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Thousands of Polish nationals queued outside the Polish embassy in Dublin over the weekend to cast their votes in their country’s election. Wou...
Ask Me Anything: Former Prisoner
13 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
‘Ask Me Anything’ is a new series every Friday on Lunchtime Live. Over the next number of weeks we will be chatting to people from different backg...
‘I thought she was gone’ - Mum of 12-year old girl left in a coma due to vaping
13 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
12 year old Sarah Griffin was put into an induced coma after being rushed to hospital with difficulty breathing from vaping. In support of Northe...
Coping with Baby Loss: 'I was broken and trying to fit the pieces together'
13 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On 12th January 2015, Anne Marie’s son Max was stillborn at almost 42 weeks. To mark Baby Loss Awareness Week, Anne Marie joined Andrea to tell her ...
‘We’re a bandwagon nation’ - Has Ireland's rugby success increased it's popularity?
13 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We are counting down to the Rugby World Cup Quarter Finals between Ireland and New Zealand tomorrow night at 8pm in Paris. This could be our mome...
'It can tear a family apart': Cocaine use on the rise among young farmers
12 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Family farms are being put at risk by drugs debts racked up by young farmers. An Irish Country Living investigation has found people in rur...
Lunchtime Live Endometriosis Panel
12 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Endo is experienced by one in 10 women in Ireland and it is a lifelong condition. Lunchtime Live has been hearing from women across Ireland over ...
'Our wonderful children, the states wonderful children, deserve so much better' Foster parents disappointed with Budget 2023
12 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A listener emailed into Lunchtime Live to express her frustration with the Budget which she feels is leaving down Foster parents: 'I am writing to you...
'The system is all wrong' - Woman with dementia not entitled to special equipment depsite having a medical card
10 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Kevin, a listener got in touch with Lunchtime Live about an issue he is having. Kevin's wife was diagnosed with dementia five years ago and is now a r...
Kanye West spotted wearing 'highly coveted' limited edition Belfast school sport jacket
10 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Who would have thought if Kanye West was looking for the lastest fashion accessory he would have found it on the corridors of St Mary's Christian Brot...
'Some people have a tendency to overshare' - Are you being yourself in work?
10 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
More than a third of people have felt the need to hide aspects of who they are at work for fear of judgement. Almost half have felt their c...
Sex education - How young is too young?
09 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
When it comes to Sex Education – how young is too young to talk to your children about sex? One UK couple – Clio Wood and her husband Bryn t...
Ask the GP: 'I have a chronic cough.. I am worried it could be cancer'.
09 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Andrea Gilligan was joined on Lunchtime Live by Kildare GP, Dr Siobhan Chidley to answer listeners health queries and questions...
Israel attacks: 'The nature of the attacks were so audacious'
09 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Israel attacked the Gaza Strip overnight last night as fighting raged with Hamas. The death toll from the war against the Palestinian militants s...
Cut the Cost: Streaming Services
09 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
From TV to music – how much are you spending on streaming services? As part of Lunchtime Live's Cut the Cost series Newstalk reporter, Aoife Ke...
Kiera Dignam: 'You don't get good days, you get good hours'
09 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Kiera Dignam spoke to Andrea about the loss of her father Christy Dignam, dealing with grief and the upcoming release of her new album, 'Nepo Baby'.
Israeli attacks on Gaza: 'I just ask her to text me that they are fine''
09 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Andrea spoke to Fatin Al Tamimi, a Palestinian living in Ireland, about watching the attacks from Ireland and trying to contact her sister who is curr...
'It was daunting' Big Brother is back !
06 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Big Brother returns this weekend after a five-year hiatus. The reboot will see a new cast of carefully selected housemates from all walks of life...
'The System has collapsed and is gone' Public Child Dentistry Crisis
06 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Some school children have to wait until secondary school for their first dental check due to backlogs for public routine dental services. Many parents...
'It's back big time' What is a Black Tie Event?
06 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The entire Irish Radio industry is getting suited and booted tonight for the IMRO awards. With it being a Black Tie event, Andrea was joined by Stylis...
"Sharenting" The ethical dillemma of sharing images of our children online
06 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
With the rise of social media, many parents are sharing images and videos of their children leading to the phenomenon known as “sharington”. But i...
Limerick shop owner 'wouldn't encourage' the public to intervene with shoplifters
05 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Members of the public who witness shoplifters stealing from supermarkets should arrest them, even if they have to use force. That is according to...
'It's closure' - Should children be brought to wakes?
05 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A tweet from News Editor of the Irish Examiner Deirdre O’Shaughnessy has sparked off great conversation with the team here. She tweeted: “My ...
Listener email: 'Men don't want to date women over 30'
05 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
One listener, Jerry, emailed Lunchtime Live about something he wanted to raise following an item on the show.Jerry writes: “However, the main point ...
'I don't think he should be allowed out' - Mother of Rachel Callaly fears Joe O'Reilly could soon be released
05 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The mother of murder victim Rachel Callaly says she fears for the first time in her life that killer Joe O’Reilly could soon be released. Rachel's 1...
'I had to give up my career' - Woman left unable to work due to endometriosis
04 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Over the past week, women across Ireland have shared their experiences of living with endometriosis on Lunchtime Live. Do we need an awareness ca...
E-scooters 'a danger' without legislation - Dundalk Councillor
04 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The Road Safety Authority will hold their annual conference today – with the issue of e-scooters hitting the agenda. Do we need more regulation arou...
‘A bit Irish’ - Man charged €107 for one week’s parking at Dublin Airport
03 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
When was the last time you tried to park at the airport? Some people are saying the cost of parking is prohibitive and is an enormous extra cost to go...
How to navigate Whatsapp group chats: 'It's so overwhelming'
03 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Love them or loath them, there’s no getting away from Whatsapp groups. Are you a fan? Or are you a mute and leave type of person? Writing in th...
‘In Ireland, I was told I had IBS’ - Woman diagnosed with Stage 4 endometriosis in the UK
03 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Last week singer songwriter RuthAnne spoke about her experience with endometriosis. Niamh, who heard RuthAnne, got in touch about her own experience.....
‘My two kids were nearly knocked down’ - Calls for 30km/hr speed limits outside schools
03 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Jason, a listener, got in touch with Lunchtime Live about an issue he wanted to raise. He is calling for a reduction in speed limits in school zones a...
Ask the GP: 'Should I ask my doctor before taking viagra?'
03 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Andrea Gilligan was joined on Lunchtime Live by GP and lecturer, Dr Sumi Dunne to answer listeners health queries and questions...
'It's unfair': Woman ordered to remove bike storage from her garden
03 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A man whose one-car family cycles as much as possible to minimise emissions in a city that aims to be carbon neutral by 2030 has been refused planning...
‘I’ve nowhere to turn’ - Woman (62) living with chronic pain after spinal cord injury
02 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We get a lot of letters and emails into the show with people outlining experiences that they’re living with. Frances, a listener, sent a Whatsa...
Cut-the-Cost: Here's the best way to save on your bin costs
02 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
As the cost-of-living crisis continues to bite across the country, Newstalk is here to help with a new online series highlighting the best w...
'What they've achieved has been absolutely sensational': Do we celebrate U2 enough?
02 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Social media has been full of videos and clips of U2 in Las Vegas over the weekend.The band opened their residency at Sphere in Las Vegas at the weeke...
Driving Test: 'Everyone should redo it every 10 years'
02 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Thousands of people in Ireland are driving without ever taking a driving test. Up to 30,000 people are on their 3rd or subsequent provisional li...
Cancer survivor (72) 'watching her home fall down' around her from mica
29 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
72-year-old cancer survivor, Mary O’Regan is watching her house crumble around her due to mica and says she has nowhere to turn. She joined Adr...
Next Taoiseach needs ‘strength of character to do what’s right for the country’
29 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
What do you want in a Taoiseach? According to a new Irish Times/Ipsos poll – Sinn Fein’s Mary Lou McDonald is the most popular choice f...
'Skeptics will continue to be skeptics': Do you believe in ghosts?
29 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
It turns out one of Ireland’s most famous newsreader’s Anne Doyle believes in ghosts! She’s written a new book - ‘Tales of the Otherworld...
'Legalising it is naive': Should drugs be decriminalised?
29 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Following the record breaking drug seizure in Cork this week, Tom in Leitrim got in with Lunchtime Live to discuss the legalisation of drugs in Irelan...
Fiona Doyle: ‘I told my father I needed to see his coffin in the ground’
28 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Fiona Doyle is a Rape survivor and campaigner. She was abused by her father Patrick O’Brien. Last week he passed away following a long illness. His ...
'If it's not going to show up, tell us that' - Phantom buses disrupting people’s commutes
28 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Sinn Fein TD Louise O’Reilly yesterday told the Dail that workers in her constituency are at risk of being sacked as they cannot get to work on time...
The Impact of Social Media on Young Girls
28 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
All week Newstalk have teamed up with The Shona Project to bring issues facing young girls in Ireland to light. Today we’re talking about manag...
Unusual Phobias: 'We can have a fear of anything'
28 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Kylie Minogue says she has a fear of hangers and she’s brought out her own range of coat hangers - £25 for 3! Simple wooden hangers with her name o...
'The nuclear option is on the table' - Gardaí vote for work-to-rule and strike day
28 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Frontline Gardaí are to withdraw services and refuse to work overtime on key dates including Halloween and Budget Day as part of the worsening roster...
Living on a boat: 'We have the freedom to move around'
28 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Irish boat dwellers are set to be hit with huge fee hikes which they say will tear communities apart. Barry and Emma, who live on a boat joined A...
Online gaming 'just another platform for bullies' to abuse
27 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Nearly a fifth of children say it’s hard to stop playing video games. They’ve also said they stay up late gaming and aren’t getting enough ...
Sunday World turns 50
27 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The Sunday World joined the Irish landscape in 1973. It was pitched as being ‘irreverent, campaigning, questioning and fun’. 50 years on...
‘Surgery saved my life’: Singer RuthAnne on living with endometriosis
27 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Singer RuthAnne posted a video on social media which has struck a chord with many women. She spoke about suffering a pain flare up due to endometriosi...
'Multiculturalism has really helped our country'
27 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Suella Braverman, the UK Home Secretary, has called for a new international approach to granting asylum and changes to the 1951 refugee convention.&nb...
‘It made me very uncomfortable’ - Woman’s experience of casual racism in café
26 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Sally, a listener, emailed into the show about an experience of casual racism she had over the weekend.Sally joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live to tell h...
‘It’s so wholesome’ - What makes The Great British Bake Off so appealing?
26 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The greatest baking competition on the planet returns this evening. The Great British Bake Off returns to screens on Channel 4 this evening, but what ...
Height shaming: ‘It got this idea in my head that I was a monster’
26 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Andrea Gilligan was joined on Lunchtime Live by Newstalk reporter Aoife Kearns to chat about an experience she had in which someone commented on her h...
‘We’re protesting for fair funding’: Childcare providers begin three-day strike
26 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The Federation of Early Childhood Providers are currently gathered outside Leinster House in protest against what they say are low fees paid to them b...
Ask the GP with Dr Sumi Dunne
26 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Andrea Gilligan was joined on Lunchtime Live by GP and lecturer, Dr Sumi Dunne to answer listeners health queries and questions...
Mother who met with son's killer encourages other families to 'take that next step'
25 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Luke O’Brien was the victim of a one-punch attack which saw him lose his life in 2017. His killer, Jack Hall Ellis was released from custody la...
Cut-the-Cost: Here's the best way to save on your phone bills
25 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
As the cost-of-living crisis continues to bite across the country, Newstalk is here to help with a new online series highlighting the best w...
Criteria for state funded IVF scheme 'very restrictive'
25 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Today, state funded IVF will be introduced for the first time with eligible couples receiving one publicly funded cycle. The initiative has drawn prai...
Critcism of Irish fans singing Zombie song labelled 'overly politicised nonsense'
25 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Was it inappropriate for Irish rugby fans to sing ‘Zombie’? As a lot of you no doubt would have heard over the weekend the sound of Ireland's...
'We can't get nurses': 12-year-old can’t leave hospital due to lack of home nursing staff
22 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Andrea was joined on Lunchtime Live by mum Maggie Butler. Maggie has a son named Alex who is in Temple Street Children’s Hospital, but they're curre...
'Something will be done when something happens me': Homeless Wicklow man living in a woods
22 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
57-year-old Paul King, who suffered a heart attack in December, now finds himself homeless and living in the woods in County Wicklow. He joined Andrea...
14 is the ‘correct time to introduce them to the gym’ - fitness expert
22 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Should teenagers join the gym? In an Irish Independent article Mary McCarthy believes all gyms should open their doors to younger teenagers. But ...
'A voicenote is a great way of communicating'
21 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
'What is the deal with voice notes?' wonders Richard Hogan in the Irish Examiner this morning. Do we no longer care for conversation with p...
Assisted dying: 'The cultural change has an enormous knock on effect' - Tóibín
21 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Yesterday on Lunchtime Live, Andrea spoke to Garreth about his wife Vicki’s story. She was diagnosed with terminal cancer and decided to avail of as...
'People have moved away from vanity to wellness': Dublin has a botox obsession
21 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Apparently Dublin is the second biggest city in Europe for a botox obsession. This is according to a new survey by VIP Italia, second only to Amsterda...
Leinster House protests: ‘It wasn't a protest, it was a mob'
21 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Shocking scenes outside Leinster House yesterday as TDs and staff were unable to leave the grounds due to protestors. There’s videos circulating of ...
TV3 turns 25: 'It was really great fun' - Gráínne Seoige
20 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Today marks 25 years since the launch of TV3. One of the stars that launched the station, Gráinne Seoige joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live to discuss h...
‘I couldn’t abandon her’: Man who helped his wife avail of assisted dying abroad
20 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A listener, Garret Ahern contacted Lunchtime Live to share his story of his wife availing of assisted dying.His wife, Vicky Janssens was diagnosed wit...
'I'm a guest here, it's their house': Tralee woman's house overrun with rats
20 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Vanessa Molloy in Kerry joined Andrea Gilligan on Lunchtime Live. Vanessa has a big problem with rats in her house at the moment...
'The state has a duty to protect us': Does our bail system need to be reformed?
20 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Former Dublin Lord Mayor Nial Ring has described Ireland’s bail system as a “complete joke”. The Independent councillor made the comm...
'Too many people, not enough pools' - Children waiting up to three years for lessons
20 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Why is it so difficult for some parents to get swimming lessons for their children? “It feels like the Hunger Games. Fighting for this limited ...
‘I want to move away’ - Parent of child awaiting spinal surgery at Temple Street
19 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Parents with children for life-altering spinal surgeries have hit out at the HSE and Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) as operations have been postpon...
Ploughing: 'The best show in the whole of Europe'
19 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The National Ploughing Championship kicks off its three-day festivities today. It is believed that tens of thousands of people are due to attend the L...
Childcare: ‘We need a public model that’s affordable and accessible’
19 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Andrea Gilligan was at Liberty Hall this morning where the National Women’s Council organised a National Day of Action calling for public, affordabl...
'Everybody has a shared responsibility' to ensure road safety
19 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has defended its ‘be seen, be safe’ campaign for pedestrians and cyclists to wear high-visibility clothing amid ac...
Making friends in Ireland: 'It's all so superficial'
18 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The Loneliness Taskforce has criticised the Government for “not living up to their commitment to tackle loneliness”. The report published in June ...
Cut-the-Cost: Here's the best way to save on your broadband bills
18 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
As the cost-of-living crisis continues to bite across the country, Newstalk is here to help with a new online series highlighting the best w...
'A gut punch': DCU charging students €56 per week to park at accommodation
18 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
DCU has come under fire for charging the students living on campus €56 to park there for the week. Previously, students living on campus had to...
People from Northern Ireland 'all tarred with the same brush'
18 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Are we biased against people from Northern Ireland? Talking about the recent no confidence vote in Garda Commissioner, and Northerner, Drew...
'I don't think it's fair': Disability advocate may lose benefits when married
15 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Disability advocate Niamh Ní Hoireabhaird has spoke in the Independent about her excitement about getting married, but the issues it could create for...
'The priority is tourism' - Are tourists our priority in Ireland?
15 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
For the first time ever the number of beds available to tourists on Venice’s main island has surpassed the number of year-round residents. Do w...
'My baby will be coming home' - Missing Cavan teen makes contact with family
15 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Last week, Andrea spoke to Mactalene Palm, whose daughter Amber disappeared while on holiday in Disneyland. Today, Mactalene joined Andrea on Lunchtim...
'We need the Book of Kells back in Kells' - Locals campaign for return of cultural treasure
15 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The Book of Kells was in the news this week. Trinity College students blocked access for tourists to the Book of Kells this morning. They’re protest...
The Cost of Having a Sick Child: 'It's just relentless'
14 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
One of the toughest things a family can go through, is having child that is sick. Particularly one that is sick for a long period of time. As well as ...
Andrea Gilligan takes the Ultimate Donegal Quiz
14 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
To celebrate Love Donegal Day, Andrea Gilligan was joined by Kieran Cuddihy in studio and he put her through her paces with a quiz all about Donegal.....
'You're from Leitrim' - Andrea Gilligan takes a Genealogy Test
14 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
As part of Love Donegal Day Andrea Gilligan took a genealogy test to see just how Donegal she really is. Jennifer Doyle, researcher with ancestry.com ...
Car free Dublin: 'Cyclists should be paying a road tax too'
14 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The Draft Dublin City Centre Transport Plan is the latest attempt from Dublin City Council and the National Transport Authority to deal with the traff...
'They're putting us back in the closet': Cork gay bar's rebrand criticised
13 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Chambers Bar is a well known LGBTQ+ bar in Cork city. It hosts Drag nights and brunches regularly and has always been considered one of the top s...
Lack of support for carers is ‘unacceptable’ - Anne Rabbitte
13 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Last week, Gayle told us her heartbreaking experience of being unable to go to her mother’s funeral because she couldn’t get respite for her disab...
‘Access to accommodation is a barrier to education’ - Trinity students blockade entrance to Book of Kells
13 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Trinity College students have clashed with tourists as they blockade access to the Book of Kells this morning. They’re protesting as part of a ‘Fr...