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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

Feb 21, 2025 • 18min
Ask Me Anything: Brain Surgeon
For this week’s Ask Me Anything, Professor Ciaran Bolger, Consultant Neurosurgeon with Beaumont Hospital joins Andrea to answer any of your brain surgery questions!

Feb 21, 2025 • 8min
How does ‘sleepmaxxing’ work?
For people who can’t sleep, you’ll try anything…There are tons of new “trends” to try, all under the name of ‘sleepmaxxing’.But, what is it, and do any of them work?Dr. Neil Stanley, co-author of ‘A Sleep Divorce: How to Sleep Apart, Not Fall Apart’ joins Andrea to discuss.

Feb 21, 2025 • 16min
Do Leaving Cert changes favour “affluent” children?
Labour TD Eoghan Kenny has questioned the changes to leaving cert claiming that continuous assessment projects disproportionately favour children from affluent families.Andrea is joined by Labour TD and Party Spokesperson for Education, Eoghan Kenny, Michael Gillespie, General Secretary of Teachers Union of Ireland, Jennifer Horgan, Teacher and Columnist and Eric Nelligan, Teacher and member of Aontú to discuss.

Feb 21, 2025 • 14min
How much are you willing to spend on your pet?
Pets are very much part of the family, but how much are you willing to spend on your furry friend?From private jets and salon treatments to dog yoga and luxury hotel stays, Ireland’s luxury pet industry is booming.Andrea is joined by Laoise Downes, owner of Outpaws and Wedding Woofs, a bespoke dog service, Adam Golder, founder of K9 Jets and more to explore the lengths people can go to.

Feb 21, 2025 • 9min
Regional Roundup with Shane Beatty
From an Irish paramedic saving lives abroad to a dog eating teddy bears, Breakfast Briefing Presenter Shane Beatty joins Andrea with plenty of stories from around the country this week!

Feb 21, 2025 • 19min
Should landlords have to retrofit their homes?
Thousands of families are living in rental properties that are too cold, and too damp.According to a new report today, hundreds of thousands of rented homes have poor energy ratings - meaning people are living in cold homes.So, should landlords be forced to do something about it?Andrea is joined by Paul Murphy, People Before Profit TD for Dublin South West Peter Finn, AKA Pete the Builder as well as listeners to discuss.

Feb 20, 2025 • 13min
The Home Squad: Soundproofing
If you have noisy neighbours or live by a busy road, you’ll want to listen to this…The Home Squad are here to talk about all things soundproofing!Andrea is joined by Jenny Sheehan, Irish Examiner Columnist and former ‘Home of the Year’ winner and Róisín Lafferty, Founder and Creative Director of Róisín Lafferty, to discuss.

Feb 20, 2025 • 10min
How big of a problem is crime in retail?
On the show yesterday, Shane Gleeson was discussing how the five Spar shops he owns around Limerick City are being hit again and again by shoplifters…So, how big of a problem is crime in the retail sector?To discuss, Andrea is joined by Shane’s brother Michael Gleeson, Eric Matthews, owner of Kicky’s Restaurant on South Great George’s Street in Dublin and Frayank Nunez, owner of 'It’s A Trap’ micro-bakery and coffee shop on Aungier Street in Dublin…

Feb 20, 2025 • 19min
Anne Rabbitte on life after the Dáil
Senator Anne Rabbitte was first elected to the Dáil in 2016 when she was elected in Galway East, and has served in public office ever since.Anne recently lost her seat in the Dáil, but has since been appointed to the Seanad by Taoiseach Michéal Martin.Anne joins Andrea to discuss.

Feb 20, 2025 • 10min
Religion in Ireland: Evangelical Christians
Every Thursday on Lunchtime Live, Andrea will be joined by followers of different religions in Ireland to learn more about them.This week, Andrea is joined by Nick Park to learn about the Evangelical Christians.


