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Newstalk
Andrea Gilligan invites callers to have their say on the topics of the day - get in touch by emailing lunchtimelive@newstalk.com Listen and subscribe to Lunchtime Live on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 15, 2025 • 12min
Summer Memories with Bryan Dobson
It’s time for some summer memories!We chat to some well known names and faces and reminisce over those long summer days.Journalist Bryan Dobson joins Andrea to reminisce!

Aug 15, 2025 • 11min
Why do parents have to deal with scoliosis wait times?
After news broke of the death of nine-year-old Harvey Morrison Sherratt, who had spina bifida and scoliosis, but waited nearly three years for surgery, parents of children with scoliosis have been speaking out about long waiting times and the devastation they have brought to their families…With waiting lists for scoliosis surgeries having grown, and Tánaiste Simon Harris coming under increased pressure to deal with the crisis - Andrea hears from some of these parents.Joining to discuss is Maureen Nolan, whose daughter has several conditions including scoliosis and Bernier Kelleher, who was forced to bring her daughter to the UK for surgery in 2007…

Aug 15, 2025 • 21min
Are you excited for the Oasis Dublin gigs?
Oasis are back for their first gigs on Irish soil since 2009, with the Oasis Live '25 reunion tour arriving in Dublin for two sold out performances at Croke Park on Saturday and Sunday.Are you excited for the shows? Were you lucky enough to get a ticket?Andrea is joined by Oasis superfans to share in the excitement!

Aug 15, 2025 • 12min
Should we get time off work when it’s sunny?
It’s rare that we get such good weather in the summer, but that has been happening recently!But, do we get the chance to make the most of them?Should we get time off work when it’s sunny so that we can go out and enjoy it?Joining Andrea to discuss this is Laura Bambrick, Social Policy Officer with the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, Sinead Dalton, Content Editor of Evoke.ie and Alan O’Reilly from Carlow Weather.

Aug 15, 2025 • 12min
Regional Roundup with Shane Beatty
From brown bread making to wedding rollercoaster taking, Breakfast Briefing Presenter Shane Beatty joins Andrea Gilligan with plenty of stories from around the country this week!

Aug 15, 2025 • 17min
Why are independent breweries closing their doors?
Independent brewers are facing challenges due to “astronomical” input cost increasing. It comes as some brewers have had to shut their doors due to high running and production costs…High water charges and “archaic and arcane alcohol licensing laws” are some of the other reasons for these closures and the loss of multiple jobs.What needs to be done to keep these breweries in business?Joining Andrea to discuss is Tom Cronin, Founder and Chief Executive of the Rye River Brewing Company, Joe Donnelly from Rascals Brewery, Dean Mcguinness, Managing Director of Primary International Beers and others.

Aug 14, 2025 • 8min
Should pets be allowed in public dining spaces?
Should pets be allowed in public dining spaces? Do you mind having dogs around while you’re drinking a coffee – or to take it one step further – would you eat a sandwich with a cat climbing all over you?What do you think? Is there a hygiene concern?Joining Andrea to discuss is Ronan Flood, Co-Owner PYE Dundrum and The Barbers Bar in Grangegorman, Michael Moynihan, Columnist with the Irish Examiner and more.

Aug 14, 2025 • 13min
The Home Squad: Easy fixes to do yourself!
Rather than calling in a professional, what are the jobs that you can do yourself, without worrying about breaking the bank?Well, the Home Squad are here to talk about simple DIY fixes!Joining Andrea to discuss is Jenny Sheehan, Irish Examiner Columnist and former winner of ‘Home of the Year’ (@workerscottage on Instagram) and Martin Glynn, Founder and CEO of The DIY Academy.

Aug 14, 2025 • 18min
Former Israeli Hostage Negotiator says Israel has gone too far
More than 100 organisations have signed a joint letter calling on Israel to stop the "weaponisation of aid" into Gaza, as "starvation deepens".Humanitarian groups, including Oxfam and Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), say they are increasingly being told they are "not authorised" to deliver aid, unless they comply with the stricter Israeli regulations.Joining Andrea to discuss this with his unique insight is former Israeli Hostage Negotiator, Gershon Baskin.Image: Reuters

Aug 14, 2025 • 8min
Will you do things just for the Instagram picture?
Are you guilty of doing things or going places, just to take photos of them?If you don’t post about it online, were you even really there?Feature Writer Chrissie Russell explores this in a piece in the Independent today, and joins Andrea, along with Stylist and Journalist Laura Mullet and Journalist Saoirse Hanley to discuss.