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Lunchtime Live

Newstalk

Andrea Gilligan invites callers to have their say on the topics of the day - get in touch by emailing lunchtimelive@newstalk.com

CONVERSATION THAT COUNTS | Ireland’s national independent talk station for news, sport, analysis and entertainment

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326 episodes
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Episodes 326

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October 9 · 17 min
American firing squad execution to be live streamed - does this cross a line?
The Pentagon has said an upcoming firing squad execution will be live streamed. This is the first military execution in America for more than 65 years, and it is being made public… Have we gone too far? Does this cross a line? Joining Andrea to discuss is Ronan Lupton, Barrister and Senior Council, Philip Arneill, Head of Communications and Research at Cybersafe Kids and listeners.
October 9 · 15 min
Survey finds endometriosis diagnosis wait times at 14 years on average!
A new endometriosis survey has revealed that the average wait time for a diagnosis is 14 years. Up to one in seven women in Ireland are estimated to have endometriosis, yet there is very little research and services available on this condition. Andrea is joined by listeners to discuss this…
October 9 · 12 min
Regional Roundup with Shane Beatty
Breakfast Briefing Presenter Shane Beatty joined Andrea with a roundup of some of the stories from across the country this week.
October 9 · 14 min
Irish man stuck in Greece hospital - family speaks out
Keith Twomey is 52, he's from Cork and he's currently in hospital in Greece, after he was struck by a car on September 11th while on holiday in Rhodes. His family say they've spent over €37,000 trying to bring him back home, and they're now looking for help. Keith's brother, Graham, is a colleague in the wider Bauer Media group, and joins Andrea to discuss what’s happening.
October 8 · 8 min
The Home Squad: Wet Weather Entrances
As the wet and dreary weather becomes more common, how do you get your house ready so that the area around your front door isn’t a mess? This week, the Home Squad are here to discuss wet weather entrances! Joining Andrea to discuss is Jenny Sheehan, Co-Host of ‘Rip it up: The Renovations Podcast’ (@workerscottage on Instagram) and Jenny Butler, Interior Architect & Design Director of Jennifer Anne Interior.
October 8 · 10 min
Should you already be booking your summer holidays?
Have you thought about your family holiday next year? Travel agents are warning that people should be planning ahead if they are confined to school holidays in order to avoid price hikes next year... Travel Expert Eoghan Corry joins Andrea to discuss.
October 8 · 14 min
Autistic child left without school place for second year in a row
Roman has been left without a school place for the second year in a row. Roman Slator will be six in December, and spends his days at home with his mum, Jade Slator, who works just one day a week so she can care for her son. Roman received an autism assessment in July 2025. After a two-and-a-half-year wait, it was too late to apply for a place in a special class for September that year… They are still waiting on a school place, and Jade joins Andrea to share her story.
October 8 · 14 min
Why does nobody host friends anymore?
Once upon a time, it was the norm to pop into your neighbours house for a cup of tea or invite your friends around for dinner, but have we moved on from those days? In the US, the number of people who regularly host friends or family fell from 42% in 1975 to 12% in 2026, a 70% drop over the last 50 years. So, why does nobody host their friends anymore? Joining Andrea to discuss is Brendan O’Loughlin, Presenter of 98FM’s Big Breakfast and Tara O’Connor of The Design Table.
October 8 · 13 min
The Making of Celine Dion!
We're doing 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 life and work of Celine Dion!
October 8 · 17 min
College Court home destroyed after student party in Limerick - what happened?
Gardaí are investigating a break-in and criminal damage at a house in Limerick linked to a student party in the early hours of Wednesday. Videos are circulating online of young adults smashing windows, breaking down walls of the home and the ceiling torn down… Joining Andrea to discuss this is Eric Nelligan, Assistant Principal at St Munchin's College Limerick and member of Aontú, Student President for UL Student Life Eva McCormack, Sarah Beasley, Aontú Councillor for Limerick City and Mary Conway, Chairperson of the Irish Property Owners' Association.
October 7 · 6 min
Enduring Power of Attorney - what needs to change?
Independent Senator Gerard Craughwell joined Andrea on Monday to discuss how he wants the rules around Power of Attorney changed. Today, Andrea is joined by more listeners to hear their issues around this…
October 7 · 8 min
Reasons to be Happy: Porridge, Car Singing, Pussy Cat Dolls
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…
October 7 · 20 min
Why graduate nurses are uncertain about their future
Many graduate nurses say they're facing uncertainty over their future, as they're currently in limbo without permanent contracts from the HSE. One of those is Fiona Gilmar from Dundalk Institute of Technology. She joins Andrea to discuss. Also joining is Tony Fitzpatrick, INMO Director of Industrial Relations.
October 7 · 7 min
Making Babies: Mental Health
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 minding your mental health during pregnancy.
October 7 · 7 min
Will new clamping rules ruin an upcoming wedding?
Lorna McEvoy is due to be married next year. Apart from the usual jitters before the big day, she is stressed that her wedding guests will be clamped… This comes as clamping measures have been introduced in a residential estate in Seven Mills in Dublin 22. Lorna joins Andrea to discuss.
October 7 · 6 min
Flasher in Tralee - Sinead Kelleher’s experience
Do you feel safe going for walks? Sinead Kelleher, Journalist with the Kerryman and Independent.ie, wrote a piece about an incident she had with a flasher during a walk on Sunday... She joins Andrea to discuss this experience.
October 7 · 20 min
Are you happy with Budget 2027?
After all of the announcements made yesterday for Budget 2027, what do you think about it? Are there things that benefit you, or was there more that could have been done? Andrea is joined by listeners to hear their thoughts.
October 6 · 13 min
Don’t Miss: War, Unabomber, Rory O’Hanlon
Katie Gallagher, Spin News Anchor, has her finger on the pulse for what’s happening and she joins Andrea with the things you don’t want to miss this week! Image: HBO Max
October 6 · 19 min
Do we need stricter legislation for rickshaws?
Dublin City Council passed a motion calling for the regulation and urgent action on rickshaws in the city. Fine Gael’s Danny Byrne spoke on Newstalk Breakfast this morning, and said that all motorised rickshaws need to be licensed and insured like cars and motorbikes. So, should we implement legislation and regulations around rickshaws? Joining Andrea to discuss this is Conor Faughnan, Independent Motoring Expert with Car Zone, as well as listeners.
October 5 · 8 min
Ask the Medic with Dr Niall Breen
It’s time for Ask the Medic! Where an expert joins to answer any of your health-related questions. This week, Andrea is joined by Dr Niall Breen from the Portmarnock GP Clinic to answer your medical questions!

Showing 81–100 of 326 episodes