Lunchtime Live
Episodes
Childcare providers 'need an injection of funding immediately'
27 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Childcare providers from across the country are protesting in Dublin today about funding and fees. They’re saying the sector is in crisis and if som...
'I wouldn't call it meat!': Would you eat lab grown meat products?
27 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Would you eat meat that was grown in a lab? The Unites States has become the second country to go ahead to make lab grown meat commercially availab...
Fat-shaming: 'People are becoming increasingly unkind'
27 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Podcaster, writer and LGBT Ireland programme manager James O’Hagan told Newstalk Breakfast says his Dublin Pride experience was soured after he was ...
COVID 'baby boom' boosted population of Aran Island
27 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The government are offering up to €80,000 to purchase a property in one of the country's offshore islands as part of the ‘Our Living Islands' sche...
Intimate Care for Elderly People
26 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Angeline, a listener, got in touch to talk about carers of the opposite sex. Her mother is receiving respite care after having pneumonia. During her s...
'There's no consequences' - Calls for harsher penalties for littering
26 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
It’s been revealed that not even a third of Irish cities are considered clean. A survey by Irish Business Against Litter has found the majority o...
Summer Memories with Emma Doran
23 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Lunchtime Live's Summer Memories series is back! Andrea chats to some well known faces and reminisce over those long summer days. First up, Comed...
‘It’s just so cruel’: Cancer patients call for new maternity leave law
23 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The Irish Cancer Society has launched the Leave Our Leave campaign to force the Government to change the Maternity Protection Act 2004. Currently, w...
‘Enough is enough’ - Cathal Crowe threatened in online hate message
23 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Online abuse, and abuse towards our politicians is becoming a common occurence. Fianna Fáil TD for Clare Cathal Crowe is the latest victim. He joine...
RTÉ Tubridy pay scandal: ‘It really is beggar’s belief’
23 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
RTE has admitted to undeclared payments to Ryan Tubridy of 345 thousand euro between 2017 and 2022. The broadcaster has also suspended Director Genera...
Cancer survivor 'robbed of' maternity leave due to legislation
22 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Currently in Ireland, women can’t defer their maternity leave while they are being treated and recovering from cancer. The Irish Cancer Society's ...
Penneys making ‘great progress’ in shift to more sustainable products - Richmond
22 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In May this yea, it was announced that fashion brand SHEIN were opening an Irish pop-up store and there was outrage among people as the brand promotes...
Teenagers 'going to take advantage' of being left home alone
22 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
When exactly is a child old enough to be left at home on their own? It is something that more people will be thinking about now that children are off...
Imposter syndrome 'quite common for a lot of women in business'
22 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Kim Kardashian has said that she still has imposter syndrome despite her enormous global success. She said her brand 'Skims, which was founded in ...
'They threw rocks and called us f****t bastards' - Couple attacked in Co Louth
21 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Andrea was joined on Lunchtime Live by Ivan to discuss being attacked whilst out walking with his husband and their dog...
Iceland employees 'got no notification' of store closure
21 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Employees at an Iceland store in north Dublin arrived at work this morning only to find that there store had been closed. A large crowd has now gathe...
Vegans are 'more compassionate' landlords - Activist
21 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Should landlords be allowed set rules for what you do in your rented apartment? A landlord in New York set tongues wagging after posting an advert f...
'It can be really devastating': Coping with pet loss
21 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Andrea was joined on Lunchtime Live by Irish Independent Journalist Kirsty Blake Knox to discuss coping with pet grief, after her dog passed away at t...
'It's a crazy amount of money!' - Hotel prices hiked for Taylor Swift gigs
21 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Taylor Swift has announced back-to-back concerts in the Aviva Stadium on 28th and 29th June next year. However, any Swifties who live outside of Dub...
‘More women than men’ interested in true crime - Psychiatrist
20 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A psychologist in the US thinks our love of all things crime might actually be a bad thing. Dr Thema Bryant appeared on The Mel Robbins Podcast to say...
Selecting appropriate funeral songs 'a balancing act' - Funeral Director
20 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Should there be restrictions on songs that can be played at funerals? Or should you be allowed do what you want? According to research by UK funeral...
'Massive issue' with resilience in young people nowadays
20 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Do young people these days lack the resilience to deal with life’s difficulties? Following on from a negative reaction to some Leaving Cert exams...
Schools are 'stuffing' sweets and chocolate into children
20 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Playschools and Montessoris are no longer giving out sweet treats to children in moderation, and have descended into a "free for all." Andrea Gilliga...
Botox treatments 'not a taboo subject anymore'
19 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Is it hard to be pro-aging in the world of botox? Emer Lysaght wrote a piece in the Irish Times which explained she resents her friends for getting bo...
President's comments on neutrality 'totally undermined Ireland's reputation'
19 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
President Higgins has been criticised for speaking out on the topic of Ireland’s neutrality. In an interview with the Business Post, Michael D Hi...
'There's an invasion!' - Seagulls terrorising locals in Drogheda
16 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The town of Drogheda, in Co Louth has declared a war on seagulls. A public meeting has been called to find a solution to the seagulls that are causing...
The Changing Face of Fatherhood: 'They want to be hands on'
16 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
It’s Fathers Day on Sunday! The role of the father has changed a lot in modern times, We want to know what you have learned most since becoming a fa...
'I don't see a problem with it': Taking children out of school for holidays
16 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Primary schools have warned parents that a growing trend towards taking pupils out of school for holidays is disrupting children’s education and may...
Reports of barriers to maternity leave for politicians are 'misleading' - Tuffy
15 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Did you feel comfortable taking maternity leave? Minister for Justice Helen McEntee has said that she is sure 'some people didn't approve' of her taki...
'I'd happily sit Leaving Cert biology': Should teachers have to resit the subject they teach?
15 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The Leaving Cert is in full swing but should teachers be able to achieve a H1, the highest grade, in the subject that they teach? Andrea was joined b...
Tyre deflating campaign by climate group ‘a cowardly act’
15 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Fine Gael TD Neale Richmond has warned the public to be vigilant after a group of climate change activists deflated car tyres in the Churchtown area o...
'One in a million' - Christy Dignam remembered
14 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Aslan front man and Irish music ledgend, Christy Dignam, passed away yesterday evening aged 63. His death is a massive loss to the country. I am jo...
Harry Styles concertgoer felt 'misled' by sale of 'platinum tickets'
14 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Harry Styles lit up Slane Castle over the weekend, but since the big night, Lunchtime Live has received a number of emails from listeners talking abou...
Honours system would recognise 'people who went over and beyond' - Craughwell
14 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Five independent Senators say they want to allow the State to award citizens in recognition of exceptional achievement. The proposed system, known a...
Assisted Dying: 'There's too many people out there suffering'
13 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A new Oireachtas committee, formed to consider the issue of assisted dying, has held it's first public meeting this morning. Andrea was joined on Lu...
Day trips abroad: What’s the appeal?
13 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Summer is here and everyone is heading on holidays. But would you go away just for one day and would it be worth the price? Andrea was joined on Lun...
'An absolute gent' - Hollywood legend Morgan Freeman visits Dublin pub
13 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Noel Anderson, Managing Director at The Bridge 1859 in Ballsbridge joined Andrea GiIlligan on Lunchtime Live after Hollywood Legend Morgan Freeman...
Bar owner 'very upset' by new bike rack blocking outdoor seating
13 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A new bike rack has been installed in the outdoor seating area of Dublin’s Street 66 bar. The bar's application for renewal of outdoor seating was r...
Wellness industry has become 'a little bit of a con'
12 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Gone Girl actress Rosamund Pike has said the wellness industry is a 'con'. Has the wellness industry gone too far? Does it put unnecessary pressure on...
Dirty Dublin: Filthy streets is 'a citywide issue'
12 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
‘Dublin is a dirty, smelly, sticky old town once again’, so says Una Mullally in today’s Irish Times. She argues that during the summer months...
'Strip and Dip' for charity in Wicklow
09 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Would you bare all for charity? Tomorrow, for the 10th year in a row, over one thousand ladies are braving the elements for the annual Strip and Dip...
'You can have anything here!' - TV and Filmmaking in Wicklow
09 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Wicklow has become a hub for TV and movie production in Ireland – both for domestic projects and huge international hits. Most recently including th...
Enniskerry: 'It's so thriving most of the time'
09 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
As part of Newstalks Summer Tour, Lunchtime Live was LIVE from the picturesque village of Enniskerry, nestled in the Wicklow mountains. Famous for Pow...
Andrea Gilligan meets Chris de Burgh
09 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
As Newstalk's Summer Tour continues, Lunchtime Live was LIVE from the Powerscourt Hotel & Gardens in Wicklow. While there, Andrea Gilligan got the c...
'The Gargle County' - Wicklow's Booming Booze Business
09 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The booze industry is huge in Wicklow – adding to the tourism in the area and taking full advantage of the picturesque surroundings. Wicklow has b...
'Wicklow Has Everything' - Lunchtime Live On Tour
09 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Lunchtime Live kicks off Newstalk's Summer Tour in Powerscourt Hotel in the Garden County - but what makes Wicklow so special? Andrea Gilligan was j...
'It took me a long time to make friends': Coping with loneliness
08 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Ireland has highest levels of loneliness in Europe. That is according to the first ever EU-wide survey on loneliness which found that over 20% of resp...
Living with Psychosis
08 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Living with psychosis is something very few of us will understand. Psychosis refers to a collection of mental health conditions that affect the brai...
The Sniff Test: ‘Use By’ vs ‘Best Before’ Dates
07 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Marks and Spencer have said they’re getting rid of use-by dates from its fresh milk. They’re replacing them with best-before dates. And we’re be...
'It's gross' - Stefanie Preissner on wearing shoes inside the house
07 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Do you take your shoes off when you go into someone else's house? Or are you annoyed when people don’t take their shoes off when they come into your...
School Holidays: '3 months is too long!'
07 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Are secondary school summer holidays too long here in Ireland? Speaking to Newstalk earlier, columnist & teacher Jennifer Horgan argued that secondary...
‘A nightmare’ - Calls for bypasses in Virginia and Carrick-on-Shannon
07 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Andrea travelled through both Virginia and Carrick-on-Shannon over the weekend. The heavy traffic in both areas highlights the need for both towns to ...
'No buses to be gotten' for Harry Styles' Slane gig
06 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Global superstar Harry Styles brings his Love On Tour show to Slane Castle this weekend. With tickets already sold out crowds are expected to descend ...
Anti-social behaviour 'happening all the time' at Burrow Beach
06 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Gardaí were forced to evacuate a Burrow Beach in Sutton, Dublin over the weekend following a mass brawl which broke out between groups of teenagers. ...
'His brain has forgotten how to breath' - The implications of long covid
02 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Samantha O'Connor's husband Darren is suffering from Long Covid since contracting it in October 2021. 18 months on and they’re desperately trying to...
Dealing with adult acne
02 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Actress Scarlett Johansson has spoken out about suffering from crippling acne for years. She said that when she was 14, she was told that her face loo...
Difficulties facing taxi drivers at Dublin Airport
02 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Damien a taxi driver in Dublin joined Andrea Gilligan on the show to discuss the difficulties facing taxi drivers in dropping off and collecting passe...
Is Ireland dog friendly enough?
02 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The Irish Hotels Federation has said it’s members are reporting a large increase in inquiries from people looking for pet-friendly accommodation. ...
Are Irish people obsessed with the weather?
01 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Weather presenter, Evelyn Cusack, announced she is retiring today after 42 years at Met Éireann. Andrea was joined by Alan O'Reilly from Carlow Wea...
Young adults are still living at home with their parents
01 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Ireland saw one of the biggest increases in the number of adults living with their parents. Between 2010 and 2019 the number of 25–34-year-olds livi...
Nude Beaches: 'You see people for what they actually are'
01 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A naturist in the UK, Helen Berriman, has caused a stir on social media after appearing naked on Good Morning Britain. Currently, Irish law says bei...
'I have had my fair share of road rage' - Two thirds of motorists experience aggressive behaviour
31 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Road rage – is it something you have ever been on the tail end of? Two thirds of Irish motorists have experienced aggressive behaviour on the road...
The Rise of AI: 'I'm both worried and I'm excited'
31 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Tech industry leaders have issued a stark warning about the threat of Artificial Intelligence saying it could lead to the extinction of humanity. Rece...
Census 2022: Priest ‘not surprised’ by number in non-religious category
30 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The Census 2022 findings have been released today. It is the first time in 171 years that Ireland's population exceeded the five million threshold. T...
Love Island Returns: 'We're not watching to learn about the world'
30 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Love Island is set to return to our screens on Monday. Andrea was joined by Orlaith Condon the host of the 'My Pod on Paper' podcast and listener Ben...
Is there a pressure to pay the voluntary contribution fee in schools?
30 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
St. Vincent de Paul has published new report today which found that 87% of parents cut back or delay spending in order to pay school voluntary contrib...
Checking in on young people
29 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Andrea was joined by Frances to discuss mental health and the importance of checking in on young people. If you’ve been affected by any of the issu...
Is it time we rethink our county borders?
29 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Is it time we looked at redrawing our county borders? Associate Professor of Politics at DCU, Dr Eoin O'Malley thinks so. Andrea was joined by caller...
The latest on the Philip Schofield saga
29 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
It’s the story that just keeps rumbling on – Philip Schofield. This Morning went ahead as usual this morning, with Presenters Allison Hammond and ...
Is it time to regulate the Airbnb industry?
29 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
There are more short-term holiday lets available on Airbnb than long-term rentals listed on Daft.ie in all 26 counties. That is according to new data ...
‘On cloud nine‘: Cork woman's baby joy after 23 miscarriages
26 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Cork woman, Georgina O’Shea and her husband Ken, have welcomed a new miracle baby girl after 23 miscarriages. Georgina joined Andrea on Lunchtime ...
Gym-Timidation: 'They have nothing to be intimidated by'
26 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever felt intimidated when going to the gym? A new trend on TikTok has seen people addressing and calling out what is known as ‘Gym-Timid...
'A labour of love' - Should grandparents be paid for minding their grandchildren?
26 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Writing in the Irish Independent today, Anne Atkins says the implication that a grandparent has nothing better to do with their time than provide free...
Tina Turner Remembered: 'A fabulous iconic star'
25 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Tina Turner - one of rock's great vocalists and most charismatic performers - has died aged 83, her spokesperson has confirmed. In a statement, they ...
DAA 'should consider' renting National Show Centre car park - Fine Gael Councillor
25 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Dublin Airport has warned passengers that there are no more spaces in its car parks for the coming days. 6,200 spaces that were previously available...
11th anniversary since the murder of Nicola Furlong
24 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
It’s 11 years today since Wexford Student Nicola Furlong was murdered in Tokyo, a crime that shook the Country. Nicola’s dad Andrew joined Andre...
Should we ban internal flights?
24 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
France has banned domestic short-haul flights where train alternatives exist, in a bid to cut carbon emissions – is that something we should conside...
Cullinane on Oireachtas hearing into HSE bullying
24 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Following conversations had here on Lunchtime Live in recent months around bullying and harassment in our health service – there was a commitment ma...
Should we allow competition among children?
24 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The GAA are to clamp down and bring sanctions against those involved in providing any form of competition for players under the age of 12. The associa...
Ozempic: 'I'm now down six and a half stone'
23 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The ‘miracle’ weight loss drug Ozempic is continuing to see shortages in Ireland The drug has only been approved to treat Type 2 Diabetes but de...
‘Minimum sentence of 10 months imprisonment’ needed for dog theft - Tóibín
23 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Steven O'Riordan joined Clare McKenna on Lunchtime Live to discuss an attempt by two men to steal his dog, Molly. Aontú leader and TD for Meath, Pea...
Drug surrender bins 'effectively useless' at summer festivals
23 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A drug testing regime, introduced at Electric Picnic last year is to be rolled out to other big festivals this year. It is part of the HSE's drug harm...
'I'm really healthy' - Trudy Hayes parents donated their kidneys to save her life
22 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
From busy hairdresser in her early twenties to undergoing dialysis in hospital three days a week for four to five hours at a time – Trudy Haye’s l...
'The best thing I ever did!': Making the move to rural Ireland
22 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A survey carried out by Leitrim County Council survey shows 60 per cent of millennial's would think about moving to another part of the country with o...
Motorway services 'non existent' for night workers
22 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Eoghan, a listener and member of the band The Buachaills got in touch with Lunchtime Live about the lack of late night motorway facilities throughout ...
Charity saying cocaine now ‘as accessible as packet of cigarettes’
19 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A charity that deals with addiction treatment says cocaine is now ‘as accessible as packet of cigarettes’. Where are they getting it? Pubs? Nigh...
Council orders woman to remove bike storage from her front garden
19 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
350 bike bunkers had been proposed for Clontarf, but with no sign of them yet. Siobhan Kelly took matters in to her own hands and put her own bike sto...
Does boxing have a bad reputation?
19 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Tomorrow night Katie Taylor is having her long-awaited homecoming fight against Chantelle Cameron in the 3Arena in Dublin. This is the first big boxi...
‘A lot of people can’t afford it’: Should parents pay for sacraments?
18 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Addressing his parishioners of St John’s Parish Falls Road this week, Fr Martin Magill criticised parents who don’t give money to the church after...
Bullying: 'That hurt lasts for life'
18 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Gardaí are continuing to investigate the assault of a teenage boy in Navan. Gardaí have appealed with people not to re-share footage of the incident...
Is being a Guard an attractive career?
17 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Plans to recruit 1000 new gardai this year are already 32% behind target- but why are the numbers so low? Is being a Guard still an attractive career?...
Should James Bond books be rewritten to make them more politically correct?
17 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Author Salman Rushdie has slammed the trend of making PC edits and rewrites to books. Should that apply also to Ian Fleming's novels? Would you like...
Talks due over asylum seeker protest at Clare hotel
17 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Talks are due to take place today over the opposition of some Clare locals to the housing of male asylum seekers at a hotel in Inch.
'There is no excuse for not having a keep cup' - Phasing out single use cups and cutlery
16 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Climate Minister Eamon Ryan is calling for the use of disposable cups and plates to be stopped in public sector canteens. Under a new mandate, being...
'They were becoming such personal attacks on me' - Ursula Jacob on online abuse
16 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A new DCU study published today reveals the hostility and abuse that women in journalism have faced online in Ireland. Andrea Gilligan was joined by...
Early Retirement: 'You'd actually miss the interaction'
16 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A new study has shown that most workers would like to retire at 60, with others eager to leave employment at an even younger age. Andrea Gilligan wa...
Has anti-immigrant extremism gone too far?
15 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has condemned the violence that saw a homeless refugee camp set on fire on Friday evening. There was a stand-off between anti-i...
Ask the Expert- Rail Travel
15 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
From the return of the tea trolley to rail routes - Barry Kenny from Irish Rail joined us today to answer your questions.
Do we need to rethink how we address pornography with our children?
15 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Are we having enough conversations with our children about pornography? And, are we having these conversations at a young enough age? A new study i...
Should we be encouraging fast fashion in Ireland?
15 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Chinese online fashion retailer SHEIN is setting up a headquarters in Dublin, creating 30 jobs – but should we be encouraging fast fashion companies...