Lunchtime Live

While you will no doubt be cheering on Norwegian singer Emmy who will be representing Ireland at the Eurovision semi finals on Thursday – there will be no harm in bopping to Croatia’s entry ‘Poison Cake’ appearing in the first leg of the semi-finals from Switzerland tonight. That is because the song was co-written by Balbriggan school teacher and singer-songwriter Ben Pyne, who joins Andrea to discuss! 98fm’s Russell Alford also joins to discuss Ireland’s chances.

The Vintners Federation of Ireland has called for a 40% rebate in excise on pints of beer sold in pubs.They say a rebate on draught beers would help protect rural pubs as the sector struggles with high costs.What do you think?Should rural pubs be given a tax rebate?Andrea is joined by listeners to discuss.

Petmania Pet Store is hosting their inaugural ‘Ruby Heart Awards’ in which, among other categories, they will honour pet-friendly workplaces.One of the suggestions of how a workplace might be more pet-friendly includes offering employees pet bereavement leave.What do you think?Should businesses offer so-called ‘pet-ernity leave’?Caroline Reidy, Managing Director of the HR Suite, and HR & Employment Law Expert, Declan O’Keefe from Dec’s Pets, a pet care retailer in Wexford as well as listeners join Andrea to discuss.

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 General Secretary of the Gaelic 4 Mothers & Others in Ranelagh Anne, Marie Genin, as well as player Monika Kurowska Tazbir. It’s a fun, non-competitive way for women to get active, meet new people, and enjoy Gaelic Football, no matter their skill level!

Dr Niall Breen from the Portmarnock GP Clinic joined Andrea Gilligan to tackle your medical queries.

Kanye West’s track ‘Heil Hitler’ was swiftly removed from major streaming platforms in recent days, raising questions about censorship, platform responsibility, and the limits of artistic expression.Joining Andrea to discuss this is Alan Buckley, Head Tour Guide at the Irish Rock ‘n’ Roll Museum and Dave Hanratty, Podcast Producer at the Independent and Host of the ‘No Encore’ Podcast.

Two teenage boys tragically died after drowning off the coast of Buncrana at the weekend.Matt Sibanda, 18, and Emmanuel Familola, 16, were playing football on Saturday when they went into the sea to retrieve a ball.Tributes have been pouring in from the Taoiseach and locals.Local Sinn Féin Councillor Jack Murray and more join Andrea to discuss.

As the cost-of-living rises, I’m desperately clinging to the ‘frivolous’ spending that gives me joy, so says Saoirse Hanley, writing in the Independent.Saoirse joins Andrea, along with Newstalk’s Ciara Tracey and Financial Adviser behind askpaul.ie, Paul Merriman, to discuss.

Welcome to The Pod Squad!We review podcasts every week so you always have something new to listen to.Laura Donnelly from the Newstalk Newsroom and Off the Ball’s Cameron Hill join Andrea to review Comedian Katherine Ryan’s ‘Telling Everybody Everything’.Image: Acast

Tributes have flooded in for Garda Kevin Flatley, who was killed on Sunday while trying to flag down a motorcyclist at a speeding checkpoint.The father-of-two, who had served in the force for 26 years, was conducting speed checks in Lusk, Co Dublin, when he was struck by the motorcyclist.The Taoiseach, Tánaiste, President and more have paid tribute to Mr Flatley, with Garda Commissioner Drew Harris calling for a “reset” on road safety.