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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.CONVERSATION THAT COUNTS | Ireland’s national independent talk station for news, sport, analysis and entertainmentListen to Newstalk at http://newstalk.com/listenlive | Download the GoLoud app now, the new home for Newstalk
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jan 13, 2026 • 13min
Ask the Expert: Home insurance
For this week’s Ask the Expert, Andrea is joined by Managing Director ofInsuremyhouse.ie, Jonathan Hehir, to answer any of your questions around home insurance!

Jan 13, 2026 • 12min
When is the ideal dinner time?
Research carried out by HelloFresh has shown that more than a third of people move their dinner time later into the evening due to busy days and commitments, yet almost half prioritise eating meals with their loved ones.The research found that 6.28pm is the perfect time to sit down for dinner, yet only about 40% of people achieve this.So, when do you sit down for dinner?Joining Andrea to discuss is Dietician Orla Walsh, Columnist Mary McCarthy and Andrew Rudd, Chef & Director of Medley Private Dining Venue.

Jan 13, 2026 • 17min
Michelle Doherty on IVF & relationships
Former TV Presenter and Model Michelle Doherty has had a tough few years, and has spoken so eloquently in the Irish Independent about her struggles with grief, separation and infertility.Michelle joins Andrea to discuss…

Jan 13, 2026 • 12min
Should we push against AI to protect ourselves?
As the shock of what Grok can do sinks in - we have all gotten too comfortable with what AI can do…We’ve understood it could impact us, but we’ve almost come to terms with it.So, should we be deleting everything online to protect ourselves from a future we can't predict?Joining Andrea to discuss is Host of ‘Health Me’ Podcast Lisa Brady as well as listener Erika.

Jan 13, 2026 • 10min
How I Live Well: Exercise Snacks
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 John Belton, Head Coach and owner of No.17 PT to discuss ‘exercise snacks’ and how they can help in your fitness journey!

Jan 13, 2026 • 21min
Should convicted criminal mugshots be made public?
People who are considering committing a crime in Northern Ireland may think twice if their mugshots are made public: the PSNI has announced plans to publish images of individuals who have been convicted of offences, with anyone sentenced to one year or more being considered for release.The PSNI believes this approach will help build public confidence and act as a deterrent to crime.So, is this a fair policy? Should offenders face this additional consequence, or is their sentence punishment enough?Joining Andrea to discuss is Kathleen Chada, Founder of SAVE action group, Criminologist John Cuffe, Senator and Co-Founder of Tiglin, Aubrey McCarthy and listeners.

Jan 12, 2026 • 9min
Ask the GP with Dr Niall Breen
Dr Niall Breen from the Portmarnock GP Clinic joined Andrea Gilligan to tackle your medical queries.

Jan 12, 2026 • 15min
An Post to increase price of stamps from February
Do you still buy stamps or post letters?An Post is increasing the price of both national and international stamps from February by 20 cent from €1.65 to €1.85…Joining Andrea to discuss this is Anna McHugh, Head of Corporate Communications at An Post, Vanessa Fox O'Loughlin from writing.ie and listeners.

Jan 12, 2026 • 19min
Is venison the sustainable meat of the future?
Experts in the UK say that university students should be encouraged to eat venison as a solution to cull the burgeoning deer population.Should Ireland follow suit? Is venison a better option than other meats?Joining Andrea to discuss is Peter Windsor, Representative of the Irish Deer Society, Sarah Keogh, Dietician and Founder of Eatwell, Keith Grant of Keith Grant Master Butchers in Roundwood and John Tierney, Campaigns Director at the Association of Hunt Saboteurs.

Jan 12, 2026 • 13min
Does body shaming start in the home?
With ads everywhere telling us how to get fit for 2026, it’s easy to start speaking critically about our bodies, but what happens when little ears hear those negative comments?Aileen Cox Blundell from Baby Led Feeding noticed this when she saw her daughter looking at herself in the mirror. She joins Andrea to discuss, as well as listeners.


