Lunchtime Live

Increased M50 tolls did nothing to congestion - are we surprised?

24 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

According to new data, a toll increase on the M50 in January did nothing to combat congestion on the motorway - but are we surprised about this?Joinin...

Ask the GP with Dr Nina Byrnes

23 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Dr Nina Byrnes, GP at Generation Health Medical Clinic joined Andrea Gilligan to tackle your medical queries…

Influencer Rebecca Rose on abuse she has received

23 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Rebecca Rose is an influencer from Dublin. She’s 19 and started her social media presence in earnest last year.Already, she has over 30 thousand fol...

How important is the college experience?

23 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Third-level colleges will be asked by the Government to look at reducing the number of days students must be on campus for lectures to limit commuting...

Did you get tickets to Foo Fighters?

23 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

American rock legends Foo Fighters thrilled Irish fans with two surprise intimate gigs this week. One special performance took place at St James’ Ch...

The Pod Squad: Reclaiming with Monica Lewinsky

23 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to The Pod Squad!We review podcasts every week so you always have something new to listen to.Host of ‘What’s Trending in F1?’ podcast El...

Should green spaces in estates be replaced for parking?

23 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Is your street overrun by parking problems?Local communities in North Cork are battling with the rising number of cars as adult children stay living w...

Ask me Anything: Wedding Officiate

20 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

For this week’s Ask Me Anything, Wedding Officiate Ruth Scott joins Andrea to answer any of your questions!

Is the term ‘working mother’ offensive?

20 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Is the term working mothers offensive?The BBC posted a video during the week where their broadcasters were having a conversation about the term workin...

Should we boycott the Ireland and Israel match?

20 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Ireland are due to face Israel in the UEFA Nations League in September. While many people are taking it at face value as a sporting event, others feel...

Would you do a holiday home swap?

20 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

If you’re already thinking about the summer holiday, would swapping homes with a stranger be the right way to save a bit of money?Joining Andrea to ...

Regional Roundup with Shane Beatty

20 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Breakfast Briefing Presenter Shane Beatty joined Andrea with plenty of stories from around the country this week!

HSE apologises to listener over claims of 'threatening' letter

20 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Andrea spoke to ‘Anna’ last week about caring for her daughter and how she felt she had no other option but to bring her daughter to A&E and l...

The Home Squad: Decluttering

19 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

It may not look like it, but Spring is approaching. So, what is the best way to tidy up your home in preparation for it?This week, the Home Squad are ...

Why you should be worried about rats getting into your car!

19 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Lock up your cars – there’s rats looking for shelter!In a nationwide Rentokil survey of frontline pest control technicians, 84% reported finding r...

How difficult is it to get a school place for your child?

19 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

How hard is it today to get a school place for your child? Listener Emma wrote in sharing her frustrations, and joins Andrea along with other listener...

The Making of CMAT’s ‘Crazymad, for Me’

19 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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? ...

Should Irish Uber restrictions be lifted?

19 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) has proposed allowing drivers to use their own cars for taxi services without needing a spec...

Are hot school meals lacking nutrients?

18 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Independent Ireland leader Michael Collins has said that you would “need a very strong stomach” to eat some of the hot school meals currently bein...

Reasons to be Happy: Arklow, Pubs, Mother Pride

18 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Séamus Culleton’s daughter: “no sympathy whatsoever” on ICE detainment

18 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Irishman Seamus Culleton was issued a temporary order postponing his deportation  from the US yesterday…He was moved to a detention facility af...

Making Babies: Barriers for conception

18 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Every Wednesday afternoon, we’ll be talking Making Babies.Andrea will be joined by Professor Shane Higgins, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologis...

What are ‘mass bangers’?

18 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Hopefully you’ll be singing from the same hymn sheet as Andrea’s guest…Musician Paul Luby is well known for his covers of ‘mass bangers’ and...

What should be done about dangerous scrambler driving?

18 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

A video has been posted online, showing a group of teenage boys riding scramblers on Cork’s busiest road at near-peak traffic.The youths were seen s...

Does the new ‘Monk’ play glamourise crime?

17 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Rex Ryan’s ‘The Monk’, which is about the life of Gerry ‘The Monk’ Hutch, opened last night at the Ambassador Theatre in Dublin. Andrea was ...

Should we expect more rain this week?

17 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Met Éireann has issued a yellow weather warning for multiple counties this week. So, how bad should we expect the weather this week, and how are peop...

How I Live Well: Pancakes

17 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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 Nutritionist Aileen Cox B...

Should rent be increased in social housing?

17 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

People living in council housing may be required to pay higher rent contributions if their adult children are working and earning an income.With the r...

Ask the GP with Dr Niall Breen

16 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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

What needs to be done for carers?

16 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

For the past few weeks, we’ve heard heartbreaking stories from listeners about their experiences of being carers for their disabled adult children –...

Vaping added to Confirmation pledge: is it necessary?

16 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The pledge taken by children at confirmation has been updated to include abstinence from smoking and vaping, alongside drinking and using illicit drug...

Summer McKesson on discovering dark truths after DNA test

16 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

DNA tests have become very popular, whether to find long lost relatives, to trace your ethnicity, or maybe to find out some answers about your health ...

The Pod Squad: Ill-advised by Bill Nighy

16 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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 T...

Over 1,000 arrested driving under the influence in 2025 - what needs to be done?

16 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Ask me Anything: Ross Ennis, Manager at Emerald Park

13 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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

Will you feel pressure to propose on valentines tomorrow?

13 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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 &...

Continued: Taoiseach responds to Anna, a mother, who dropped her disabled adult daughter at A&E due to a lack of care supports

13 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

For the past two weeks, Lunchtime Live has spoken to parents who are caring for adult children with intellectual disabilities about their struggles to...

Is Dublin just a city for tourists?

13 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Regional Roundup with Laura Donnelly

13 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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 acro...

Flooding in Dublin causes significant disruption, including to Dublin Airport. We speak to those who have been impacted

13 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Severe flooding has caused significant disruption across Dublin following heavy rainfall overnight, with many areas experiencing dangerous road condit...

The Home Squad: Integrating tech without ruining your interior

12 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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 discu...

Political Reaction to the mother who dropped her disabled adult daughter at A&E due to a lack of care supports

12 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Dail Bar Tab revealed with the sale of shots on the up. Is it time to get rid of the bar altogether?

12 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Are daughters more expensive than sons?

12 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

A recent study has found that daughters cost parents more than sons. According to the research, daughters are more likely to want pricier clothes, bea...

Continued: Mother caring for disabled adult child reached breaking point and dropped her child at A&E due to lack of care provision

12 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Tony Murray spoke to us about how difficult life can be for parents looking after adult children with intellectual disabilities, he mentioned one moth...

The Making of David Bowie's ‘Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust’

12 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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? ...

The impact of panic attacks

11 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Panic attacks can be brought on by bouts of anxiety and leave people utterly debilitated...  Dominique McMullan, Image Media Editorial Director, ...

Reasons to be Happy: Positive effect of Flowers, Coppers turn 30, and not getting a haircut until Man United win 5 in a row.

11 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Does the Garda vetting system need reform?

11 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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 che...

New Airbnb regulations to come into place; will it hurt the tourism sector?

11 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

New Airbnb regulations will prevent homeowners in towns with populations exceeding 20,000 from renting their properties on a short-term basis for more...

Making Babies:Starting IVF

11 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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 journ...

Family facing deportation plead with the Justice Department to intervene

11 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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 fa...

Irishman honored with plaque for coining the term ‘United States of America’

10 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

An Irishman who travelled to America in the late 18th century has been honoured in Cork with a plaque for coining the term ‘United States of America...

Ask the Expert: Barry Kenny of Irish Rail

10 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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 t...

Continued: What more can be done to help parents who are caring for their disabled children?

10 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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 fr...

France sends letters to 29-year-olds instructing them to get on with having children; Is it a good approach?

10 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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...

How I Live Well: Walking

10 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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 th...

Has TikTok replaced cookery books?

10 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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...

High-risk offenders being granted Bail, Are stricter legal measures needed?

10 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

linked to murder, attempted murder, or serious threats of violence.In response, advocacy groups and political leaders have warned that repeat offendin...

Ask the GP with Dr. Nina Byrnes

09 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Nina Byrnes, GP at Generation Health Medical Clinic  joined Andrea Gilligan to tackle your medical queries.

Continued:Adults fear for disabled children they care for after they die. More families get in touch as issue raised in the Dáil

09 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Over the last week we have been speaking to the parents of adult children with disabilities about their worries about what will happen to the children...

The South Dublin Rugby Fan Stereotype:Is it unfair?

09 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Do rugby fans get a bad name?And is the South County Dublin stereotype unfair to put on fans going out to watch the games?Gerry Thornley, Mick in Tral...

The Pod Squad:Camp Swamp Road

09 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to The Pod Squad!We review podcasts every week so you always have something new to listen to.Tom Douglas & Sarah-Jayne Tobin joined Andrea...

Bidding wars:Is more regulation needed over the property buying process?

09 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Across Ireland, many people are struggling to buy homes due to a severe housing shortage and soaring property prices. Even buyers who have secured mor...

Ask Me Anything: Ambassador

06 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

For this week’s Ask Me Anything, Andrea was joined by Former Ambassador Bobby McDonagh to answer any of your questions!

Do you have a tattoo that you regret?

06 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Tattoo regrets, have you a tattoo that you wish you hadn’t got? Have you had one removed?Brooklyn Beckham has apparently removed one of his tattoos ...

Continued:More parents caring for disabled children voice their worry, as no guarantee of care once they pass

06 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

On Wednesday, we spoke to Tony Murray who is in his 70s and caring for his 42 year old daughter Aoife who has intellectual disabilities. Our conversat...

Pairing up to form a supergroup ! Keith Duffy of Boyzone and Brian McFadden from Westlife join Andrea

06 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Westlife and Boyzone come together to form a supergroup! What dreams are made of ! Keith Duffy of Boyzone fame and Brian McFadden from Westlife join...

Should more be done to prevent filming tragic events?

06 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

A tragic incident occurred in Dublin City Centre yesterday afternoon when a Bus Éireann bus crashed on North Earl Street, resulting in the death of o...

Regional Roundup with Shane Beatty

06 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Breakfast Briefing Presenter Shane Beatty joined Andrea with plenty of stories from around the country this week!

The Making of Dolly Parton’s Jolene

05 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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? ...

The Home Squad:Kitchen Upgrades

05 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Its one of the focal points of activity in our homes. The KitchenSo this week on the Home Squad we discuss all things kitchen, including whether islan...

Would you watch the 6 nations in the cinema?

05 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Ireland take on France in the opening match of the Six Nations tonight, and some fans have decided to head to the cinema to watch it...With Omniplex c...

Living with a Birthmark

05 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Andrea was joined in studio by mum and daughter - Emily Atkinson and Kerry Hannaphy. – Emily joined Andrea to talk about her birthmarks, to raise aw...

Should international languages be taught in primary schools?

05 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Primary schools across the country are being urged to teach French and other foreign languages. It comes as the French Ambassador to Ireland, Céline ...

We hear from more Parents who care for their disabled children: Who ask who will care for them when they pass?

05 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Yesterday, we heard from parents who are caring for their disabled children. These parents are living in fear and unknown about what will happen to th...

Why are Gen Z having less sex then previous generations ?

04 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

A study has revealed one of the reasons that Gen Z are having less sex than previous generations – they are simply too tired.  70% say they hav...

Reasons to be Happy: Derelict Aran Island hotel to reopen, Translating human speech into dog language and the Six Nations is back!

04 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Who is going to mind them ? Elderly parents caring for adult children with disabilities worry about their future without them.

04 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Many parents around the country are in a nightmare situation as they look ahead to what happens to their children when they pass away. For the 2,000 o...

Making Babies: What to do if your baby requires Neonatal care ?

04 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit can be a scary place for parents to find themselves in, but what actually happens in there?Dr Lisa McCarthy – Consu...

Donegal cancer patients at risk of losing vital access to care as Dublin flight service due for renewal

04 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Cancer patients in Donegal are at risk of losing the same day Dublin flight service, as the Donegal-Dublin PSO contract is due for renewal at the end ...

Schools to be forced to publish voluntary contribution spending. Are parents paying too much ?

04 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

For many years, parents have been asked to pay voluntary contributions to their children’s schools. Although described as “voluntary”, many pare...

Ask the Expert: Mechanic

03 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Nothing puts the fear of God in me quite like a light coming on on my dashboard when I’m driving.Followed by absolute confusion and probably a hefty...

The Psychology Behind that messy drawer  of yours.

03 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

We all have one, a messy drawer where we shove things in to get them out of the way...So what is the psychology behind a messy drawer?Does everyone ha...

Is the Re-turn scheme causing littering in our towns and cities ?

03 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The Deposit Return Scheme has encouraged many people to recycle plastic bottles in order to reclaim their deposit. With return machines now available ...

How I Live Well: Looking after our Hormones and Thyroid

03 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

It's How I live well time! Where someone joins to discuss what they do to improve their life...Professor Mary Ryan, Endocrinologist joined Andrea this...

Are Hair cuts too expensive?

03 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

How much do you pay to get your haircut?A salon in Dublin has said that they have 1,000 people on the waiting list and their prices start at €96!And...

Presenter Dec Pierce on Breast Cancer Diagnosis and raising awareness about the disease

03 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Block Rockin' Beats DJ and  Today FM presenter Dec Pierce joined Andrea to discuss being recently diagnosed with Breast Cancer. Breast Cancer amo...

The Rewind: 1986

02 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The Rewind 1986 with Henry McKean 12pm Bank Holiday Monday the 2nd of February on Newstalk. It was the year of Top Gun. Crocodile Dundee and The Miss...

Ask Me Anything: Claire Byrne

30 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

For this week’s Ask Me Anything, Andrea was joined in the studio by her new colleague here at Newstalk, Claire Byrne.

Everything we need to know about Brad Pitt, reportedly living in South Dublin

30 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Move over Matt Damon, there’s a new Hollywood mega star in town....It’s been reported that 62-year-old Brad Pitt is in Dalkey in South County Dubl...

Should Childrens authors be more mindful over use of upsetting language ?

30 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Children’s book author, Julia Donaldson, is under fire for the language used in her book, The Highway Rat.  In it she writes ‘The highway rat...

Is it time to scrap wedding presents ?

30 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

BlurbMany people plan their year around the number of weddings they have to go to. Whether your flying abroad to celebrate someone’s special day or ...

Woman paralysed while in care settles case in the High Court

30 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Roisin Tansey was just three years old when she fell from the back of an armchair and injured her neck, an injury which has left her paralysed from th...

Regional Roundup with Shane Beatty

30 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Breakfast Briefing Presenter Shane Beatty joined Andrea with plenty of stories from around the country this week!

Mother who lost son due to a scrambler accident calls for stricter legislation

30 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Margaret Murphy from Tallaght lost her son Seán in the summer of 2023 when he collided with a pillar on a driveway. Following the loss of another you...

Coming next week... The Claire Byrne Show

29 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Claire Byrne explores the big stories through the lens of real life.This podcast brings context, consequences and clarity to the issues shaping Irelan...

The Home Squad: Painting your own home !

29 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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 discu...

Iconic musical Oklahoma is coming to Dublin we speak to the show producer

29 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Oh what a beautiful morning! One of the most beloved musical songs from Oklahoma!Stephen Faloon -  The general Manager Of the Bord Gais Energy Th...

Is it to expensive too eat healthy ?

29 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The World Health Organisation has warned that Ireland is on track to become Europe’s most obese nation, yet this warning may impact some more than o...