Highlights From Lunchtime Live

How hard is it today to get a school place for your child? Listener Emma wrote in sharing her frustrations, and joins Andrea along with other listeners, to discuss…

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 CMAT’s ‘Crazymad, for Me’!

The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) has proposed allowing drivers to use their own cars for taxi services without needing a special licence, with regulation focused on safety and service standards.This would enable companies like Uber to operate as they do internationally, increasing competition in the taxi market. While consumers could benefit, the move may face backlash from existing taxi drivers.Would you support lifting Uber restrictions?Joining Andrea to discuss is Lar Kelly, Director of Hola Taxis, Ciara Mooney, Managing Director of Freedom Travel & Solo Travel and listeners.

Independent Ireland leader Michael Collins has said that you would “need a very strong stomach” to eat some of the hot school meals currently being provided in schools.For many children, these meals are not just an option - they are a vital source of daily nutrition and, in some cases, their main meal of the day.This raises an important question: are these meals truly fit for purpose, or should they be more nutrient-dense to properly support children’s health, growth and learning?Joining Andrea to discuss is Principal of Mother of Divine Grace National School in Finglas, Eoin Dolan, as well as listeners.

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…

Irishman Seamus Culleton was issued a temporary order postponing his deportation  from the US yesterday…He was moved to a detention facility after being arrested by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers in September.He spoke out last week - prompting much discussion about his detention here at home. Today, one of his twin daughters, Heather Morrisey, joins Andrea to discuss…Image: @carrasnyc on Instagram

Every Wednesday afternoon, we’ll be talking Making Babies.Andrea will be joined by Professor Shane Higgins, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, 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 answer any of your questions, and discuss the common barriers couples may face when trying to conceive.

Hopefully you’ll be singing from the same hymn sheet as Andrea’s guest…Musician Paul Luby is well known for his covers of ‘mass bangers’ and he joins to discuss what they are, and why they have become so popular.

A video has been posted online, showing a group of teenage boys riding scramblers on Cork’s busiest road at near-peak traffic.The youths were seen speeding and doing wheelies along the N40 near Douglas, only two weeks after the government announced a crackdown on scramblers following the death of Grace Lynch in Finglas…So, what should be done about this behaviour?Joining Andrea to discuss is Joe O’Shea, Editor of Cork Beo, Cian Ginty, Editor of Irish Cycle, as well as listeners.

Rex Ryan’s ‘The Monk’, which is about the life of Gerry ‘The Monk’ Hutch, opened last night at the Ambassador Theatre in Dublin. Andrea was in attendance, as well as Gerry Hutch, who also performed in the play.The question surrounding this play is: does it glamourise crime? Andrea was able to ask this exact question to those who watched it…

Met Éireann has issued a yellow weather warning for multiple counties this week. So, how bad should we expect the weather this week, and how are people recovering after Storm Chandra?Andrea is joined by Cathal Nolan, Founder of Ireland’s Weather Channel, as well as listeners, 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 Nutritionist Aileen Cox Blundell (@babyledfeeding on Instagram) to discuss how you can make this Pancake Tuesday a bit more healthy with a few smart ingredient swaps!

People living in council housing may be required to pay higher rent contributions if their adult children are working and earning an income.With the rising cost of living and the ongoing housing crisis making it increasingly difficult for adults to move out, is the Government’s failure to address housing affordability now placing an unfair financial burden on families who are already struggling?Andrea is joined by listeners to discuss…

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

For the past few weeks, we’ve heard heartbreaking stories from listeners about their experiences of being carers for their disabled adult children – and their worries about what’ll happen to them when they die…So, where do we go from here?Joining Andrea to discuss is Derval McDonagh, CEO of Inclusion Ireland.

The pledge taken by children at confirmation has been updated to include abstinence from smoking and vaping, alongside drinking and using illicit drugs.The change follows a sharp increase in young people smoking and vaping, which the church described as a “thoughtful and prayerful response to the lived realities of young people today.”Andrea is joined by listeners to discuss.

DNA tests have become very popular, whether to find long lost relatives, to trace your ethnicity, or maybe to find out some answers about your health – but sometimes the results can bring up more questions than answers...That was certainly the case for Summer McKesson, who joins Andrea to discuss…

Welcome to The Pod Squad!We review podcasts every week so you always have something new to listen to.Newstalk’s Rory Galvin and Host of the ‘For Tech’s Sake’ podcast Elaine Burke join Andrea Gilligan to review ‘Ill-advised by Bill Nighy’!Image: EYEPOD Studios

More than 1,000 people were arrested for driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol at the end of 2025. Even more concerning, one individual was arrested 15 times within a three-year period in 2021 - a striking example of repeat offending that calls into question the effectiveness of current enforcement measures and deterrents on Irish roads.What does this mean for the safety of drivers, cyclists and pedestrians on Irish roads? Do we need more Garda presence to ensure safety on Irish roads?Joining Andrea to discuss is Editor with Completecar.ie, Shane O’Donoghue, as well as listeners.

For this week’s Ask Me Anything, Andrea was joined by the manager at Emerald Park Theme park Ross Ennis !