Highlights From Lunchtime Live

Dozens of children requiring spinal surgeries will be offered an opportunity to get their treatment overseas by the Department of Health.It is understood a number of outsourcing agreements are being finalised and families will have their accommodation and flights organised and paid for by the Department.Health Minister Stephen Donnelly flew to the United States in the past week to meet directly with clinicians and inspect hospitals.Andrea is joined by families who may potentially avail of this treatment, as well as those with previous experiences, to discuss.

From creating a space for your dog to chill to fixing your furniture after pets have misbehaved – the Home Squad are here to talk about pet proofing your home! Andrea Gilligan is joined by Jennifer Sheahan, Irish Examiner Columnist and former winner of ‘Home of the Year’ and Hayley Burke, AKA ‘The DIYist’.

Last week Singer Nathan Carter received some backlash after performing in Castlerea Prison - but not to the inmates. However, one man wants to make it up to them… Mattress Mick!He joins Andrea, as well as Newstalk’s Henry McKean, to discuss.

Character references have long been a contentious issue in Ireland, but President Michael D Higgins has signed the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Human Trafficking) Bill 2023, which is set to change the way character references are treated. The bill means that people who give character references for sexual offenders can now be cross-examined in court.To discuss, Andrea Gilligan is joined by Ciara Mangan, sexual assault survivor and Advocate, Natasha O’Brien assault victim and advocate and Mary Crilly, Founder of the Sexual Violence Centre Cork and Safe Gigs.

An article in the Irish Independent writes:‘The weeks and months after a new baby is born are a vulnerable time for new parents, and while you may not wish to cause offence, well-intentioned, but ill-advised remarks, can land like a lead balloon…‘What are the things you should never say to a new parent?Andrea is joined by Siobhan O’Neill White from Mams.ie and other parents to discuss.

It's Throwback Thursday! Where we look back on things that happened this week in history. 98fm’s Ciaran O’Connor is back after his wedding! He joins Andrea Gilligan to rewind the clock…Image: NASA

Taoiseach Simon Harris met with Keir Starmer yesterday at the new British Prime Minister’s countryside home where they toasted the “reset” in relations between Ireland and the UK with pints of Guinness.And, of course, that was the image that you are seeing right here: the two country heads awkwardly holding up pints of Guinness… Do we really need the Guinness photoshoots in this day and age? Andrea Gilligan is joined by listeners to discuss.

From products to pimples, for this week’s Ask the Expert, Andrea Gilligan is joined by Professor Catriona Ryan, Consultant Dermatologist at the Institute of Dermatologists to answer all of your skin-related questions!

Ella Mills tragically passed away in a kayaking accident in Washington last year. This August 25th, her father Ralph is aiming to set a world record in her honour. He joins Andrea to discuss.If you want to donate to the fundraiser in aid of the Kevin Bell Trust, you can do so here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/OFIFOTO2024

Fine Gael MEP Regina Doherty has said that she thinks the bike infrastructure in our cities is “authoritarian”. Apparently, they’ve turned Dublin “into a spaghetti junction of cycle lanes that have divided the city like East and West Berlin”.Is she right? Or are they necessary?Andrea is joined by Cian Ginty, Editor of Irish Cycle and listeners to discuss.

When is it okay to make a joke about certain topics?Kyle Gass, from band Tenacious D, found out when not to make a joke this weekend after being presented with a birthday cake by bandmate Jack Black at their Sydney show. When Black asked him to make a wish, he said “Don’t miss Trump next time”.This has caused major backlash and controversy, and as a result, their tour has been cancelled.Andrea is joined by comedian Jim Elliott, as well as listeners, to discuss.Image: Travis Shinn

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.Today FM’s Cathal O’Sullivan joined Andrea in the studio to put a smile on your faces…

A Waterford U15 hurling match was abandoned on Monday evening following a brawl involving players, mentors and supporters.An investigation is now under way, but it seems to be a sight that is all too common on sports fields these days.What do you think? Are youth matches too competitive?Andrea Gilligan is joined by Former GAA President, Nickey Brennan, Antonio Mantero, Castleknock Celtic Coach and Founder of Silent Sideline as well as listeners to discuss.

Welcome to The Pod Squad! We’ll review podcasts every Tuesday so you’ll have something new to listen to. This week Andrea is joined by Today FM Presenter Shelly Grey and Off the Ball’s Cameron Hill to review ‘No Such Thing as a Fish’, which fans of the show ‘QI’ will find very familiar!Image: Quite Interesting Ltd.

Do we do enough to encourage girls to get into football coaching?  Laura Heffernan, who manages DLR Waves, is the only female manager in the League of Ireland, including the Women's Premier Division. So how do we get more women involved? Laura joins Andrea Gilligan to discuss.

Excitement is reaching fever pitch for this Sunday’s All-Ireland Hurling Final between Clare and Cork.However, there have been reports that Cork fans are having difficulty in actually getting to the game in Croke Park, with train seats seemingly being sold out.Listener Claire joins the show to share her issue, and Andrea is joined by Thomas Gould, Sinn Féin TD for Cork North Central and Barry Kenny from Irish Rail and more listeners to discuss.

Today is the launch of Puck Fair, Ireland’s oldest festival.It got us thinking about some of the weird and wonderful festivals this country has to offer.Unfortunately the days of the bog snorkelling festival are gone, but there’s still enough around to make for a very entertaining summer…Andrea Gilligan is joined by Eimear Shannon, Today FM Producer and professional festival-goer and Naoise Nunn, Producer of the Bram Stoker Festival to discuss some of the standouts.

This year Andrea Gilligan is determined to make some changes and become that bit healthier!She will be joined by a number of different people to find out how they live well.After her time spent with the Riverdance crew a few weeks ago; this week, Andrea is joined by professional Irish dancer Ruth Eva McKenna to learn all about, you guessed it, Irish dancing!

Following unrest at an anti-immigration protest in Coolock yesterday, Gardaí have arrested 19 people. Taoiseach Simon Harris thanked the Gardai for their "very swift action” in “very difficult circumstances”. He also spoke about “the benefit of the body cams” worn by Gardaí. However, others have criticised the speed of the Garda Response. Were they fast enough?Andrea is joined by Independent Cllr John Lyons,Minister Neale Richmond, Minister of State with responsibility for Financial Services, Credit Unions & Insurance, Fianna Fáil Senator Timmy Dooley and Liam Herrick, Executive Director with the Irish Council for Civil Liberties to discuss.

Dr Nina Byrnes, GP at Generation Health Medical Clinic joined Anna Daly to tackle your medical queries…