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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 11, 2025 • 10min
The Pod Squad: Titanic - Ship of Dreams
Welcome to The Pod Squad!We review podcasts every week so you always have something new to listen to.Tom Douglas from the Newstalk Newsroom and Sarah Jayne Tobin, Editor of DMG Media join Andrea Gilligan to review ‘Titanic: Ship of Dreams’!Image: Noisier

Aug 11, 2025 • 23min
Should chicken nuggets be banned from schools?
There are plans to eradicate “cheat foods” like chicken nuggets or sausages from hot school meals.They will kick off from the start of the new academic year this September.So, is it bad to have a ‘cheat day’ in school meals?Andrea is joined by listeners to discuss.

Aug 8, 2025 • 13min
Summer Memories with Muireann O’Connell
It’s time for some summer memories!We chat to some well known names and faces and reminisce over those long summer days.Broadcaster Muireann O’Connell joins Andrea to reminisce!

Aug 8, 2025 • 8min
Why are we such big spenders on a holiday?
Apparently, Irish people are the second biggest spenders when we’re on holiday - we spend twelve times more than Italians do when they go away!The only people who hit their wallets harder are the Austrians.So, are we really such big spenders?Andrea is joined by Meghann Scully, Freelance Broadcaster and Broadcaster Padraig Wilson McCarthy to discuss.

Aug 8, 2025 • 18min
Should politicians get more perks in their job?
Independent Senator Gerard Craughwell spoke with Pat Kenny this morning about how he feels equality should be given to all members of the public service after The Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act (FEMPI) cuts were unwound for all members apart from those in Leinster House.So, should politicians be entitled to more perks, or do they get enough?Joining Andrea to discuss is Pharmacist and former Fine Gael TD, Kate O’Connell and listeners.

Aug 8, 2025 • 13min
Should parents be punished for teaching their children to steal?
Parents are keeping their pockets lined by teaching their children to steal from shops in Limerick. That’s what Shane Gleeson, who runs several Spar branches across the city, said, and that the Child Protection Agency needs to get involved.How big of a problem is this, and what should the solution be?Andrea is joined by Shane, as well as other shop owners, to discuss…

Aug 8, 2025 • 13min
Regional Roundup with Shane Beatty
From an international first date with a Longford man to objections to a British billionaire's Waterford mansion, Breakfast Briefing Presenter Shane Beatty joins Andrea Gilligan with plenty of stories from around the country this week!

Aug 8, 2025 • 21min
Is it fair to expect workers to return to the office?
AIB and Bank of Ireland have caused uproar in recent weeks with announcements that they expect workers to return to the office.So, is it fair to expect workers to stop working from home?Joining Andrea to discuss is Tracy Keogh, Co-Founder and Chair of Grow Remote, as well as listeners.

Aug 7, 2025 • 16min
The Home Squad: Getting the right light
When you want to give a room that extra touch of brightness - how do you know which type of lighting to get?Well, the Home Squad are here to talk about all things lighting your home!Joining Andrea to discuss is Jenny Sheehan, Irish Examiner Columnist and former winner of ‘Home of the Year’ (@workerscottage on Instagram) and Founder and Creative Director of Arlene McIntyre Design, Arlene McIntyre.

Aug 7, 2025 • 14min
Have cabin crew become salespeople?
Once considered a glamorous career among the clouds, the role of cabin crew has evolved into one increasingly focused on sales.Flight attendants, once seen purely as caretakers of passenger comfort, are now often viewed as frontline salespeople, offering everything from snacks to duty-free goods mid-flight.But, has this shift changed the way we perceive cabin crew?Terry Prone, Columnist with the Irish Examiner & Chair of the Communications Clinic, has been writing about this, and joins Andrea as well as former Air Hostess and Author of ‘Confessions of an Air Hostess’ Marisa Mackle and Travel Journalists Joan Scales and Yvonne Reddin to discuss.


