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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
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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.

Aug 7, 2025 • 12min
Six-year-old yet another victim of recent racial abuse
A young six-year old child was verbally and physically abused by a group of young teens in Co. Waterford - yet another racially-motivated attack in recent weeks.Anupa Naveen, mother of Nina, joins Andrea to discuss what happened…

Aug 7, 2025 • 12min
Would you have a relationship with an AI chatbot?
Almost 10% of adults in Ireland have had a romantic relationship with an AI chatbot within the last 12 months, new research shows.But, how do these relationships work, and are they really a substitute for genuine connections?Andrea is joined by Jess Kelly, Newstalk’s Tech Correspondent and Tara Logan Buckley, Chartered Clinical Psychologist to discuss.

Aug 7, 2025 • 9min
The Making of Paul Simon’s ‘Graceland’
We’ve decided to do a deep dive on some of our favourite albums to explore the stories behind them.What did the artists really think of each other? Where did the inspirations from the songs come from?Joining Andrea to discuss is Head Tour Guide at the Irish Rock ‘N’ Roll Museum Experience, Alan Buckley, who’s going to talk through Paul Simon’s ‘Graceland’!

Aug 7, 2025 • 21min
Family speak out on not being informed about assisted suicide
Megan Slough Royal and her family are dealing with a tough situation: her mother went to undergo an assisted suicide in Switzerland. The catch? The family weren’t informed ahead of time, and were told that their mother was deceased over Whatsapp…Megan joins Andrea to discuss.If any of these issues have affected you, you can contact The Samaritans on 116 123.

Aug 6, 2025 • 11min
Dealing with the back to school costs
With the school holidays soon coming to a close, many parents are facing the dreaded back to school costs. Uniforms, electronics and voluntary contributions are just some of the expenses that spring to mind this time of year.A recent survey carried out by Barnardos has highlighted just how expensive Ireland’s free education system is…Joining Andrea to discuss this is CEO of Barnardos, Suzanne Connolly, Lisa O’Sullivan Shaw (@modernirishmom on Instagram) and Lucy, a parent in Stillorgan.


