

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 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

Sep 4, 2025 • 16min
Should homework be scrapped?
Reality TV Star Kim Kardashian sparked a debate when she gave her views on homework.She said that it should be done away with, after appearing on Kai Cenat’s Mafiathon 3 Twitch live stream on Monday.Do you agree, should homework be scrapped?Guest host Mairead Ronan is joined by Kayleigh Trappe, Content Creator & Teacher, Lisa O'Sullivan Shaw (@modernirishmom on Instagram) and more to discuss.

Sep 3, 2025 • 9min
The Traitors Ireland: Why do we love lying?
Last night was the third episode of the Irish Traitors, and the last fix for the week.It’s already a hit around the world, and it’s safe to say that the Irish version is one too.So, what is it about it that has us all hooked? Do we love the deception?Joining Andrea to discuss is Esther McCarthy, Life/Style Daily Features Editor at the Irish Examiner, Chrissie Russell, Feature Writer with the Independent and Professor of Psychiatry at Trinity College Dublin, Brendan Kelly.

Sep 3, 2025 • 8min
Reasons to be Happy: Phone calls, world’s biggest bar, House of Guinness
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…Image: Netflix

Sep 3, 2025 • 23min
Should parking permits be increased in Dublin?
Residents living in Dublin may have future costs to an already expensive economy for parking…It comes as parking permits in some parts of Dublin city could increase from €50 to €225, a 350% hike, under a review of parking control bylaws by Dublin City Council.Is this fair on those living in the city centre? If we already pay motor tax, should we have to pay to park our cars outside our homes?Andrea is joined by Chairperson of the Dublin Commuter Coalition, Jason Cullen, Gwen Leyden, Landlord of George’s Street Arcade and listeners to discuss.

Sep 3, 2025 • 13min
Making Babies: Caesarean Sections
Every Wednesday afternoon, we’ll be talking Making Babies.Andrea will be joined by Professor Shane Higgins, Master of the National Maternity Hospital 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 caesarean sections, and answer any listener questions.

Sep 3, 2025 • 12min
Would you go back to college later in life?
Would you ever consider going back to college a little later in life?What would it take for you to put your normal life on hold for a few years, to train further in something you’ve always wanted to do? Or to learn about something completely new?Joining Andrea to discuss is Jean Barry, who did this herself, and Laura Walshe, Career Guidance Counsellor with FindYourPath.

Sep 3, 2025 • 18min
Should the Gardaí be armed with tasers?
The newly-appointed Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly is examining proposals to arm more frontline Gardaí with taser stun guns.These guns are already used by specialist units.But, should frontline Gardaí be armed in a bid to better tackle serious violent confrontations?Joining Andrea to discuss is Pat Marry, former Detective Inspector and Senior Investigating Officer and author, Emily Williams, Policing and Justice Policy Officer for the Irish Council for Civil Liberties, as well as listeners.

Sep 2, 2025 • 13min
Ask the Expert: Navigating Dublin Airport
For this week’s Ask the Expert, Andrea is joined by Graeme McQueen, Media Relations Manager with the DAA to discuss how you can best navigate Dublin Airport, and answer any other airport-related questions!

Sep 2, 2025 • 9min
How do breakdancing competitions work?
Leon Dwyer, an Irish Breakdancer, has just finished in the top 4 in the World Breakdancing Championships. But, how did he get this achievement, and how do you judge breakdancing?He joins Andrea to discuss!

Sep 2, 2025 • 22min
What impact does mold and dampness have on our bodies?
According to the HSE, around 450,000 people have doctor-diagnosed asthma in Ireland. In 2022, 87 people in Ireland died from asthma, that is a 36% increase on the average of the previous two years…The UK’s National Review of Asthma deaths found that over two thirds of asthma deaths involved potentially avoidable factors. While Ireland has not yet conducted a comparable national review, many of the same system-level failures are likely at play.Mold and dampness in homes not only affect those with asthma, but it can cause other illnesses. Could our homes be causing us to get sick?Joining Andrea to discuss is Professor Marcus Butler, Consultant in Respiratory Medicine at St Vincent's Hospital, Siobhan O'Neill White from mams.ie, CEO of the Asthma Society of Ireland, Eilís Ní Chaithnía and more.