Highlights From Lunchtime Live

A new taskforce is to be established to examine measures to strengthen Ireland’s laws on dog control.  Earlier this year, Minister Heather Humphreys announced that spot fines for serious dog control offences would be tripled from €100 to €300, while increasing funding to dog warden services. It is expected that these measures will go even further in enforcing dog control.  Andrea was joined by listeners to discuss...

This Friday the All Ireland Young People in Alcoholics Anonymous Convention will be held in Clare. Young people from all around the country will gather to talk about their experiences with alcohol, sobriety and the drinking culture in Ireland. But is alcoholism in Ireland spoken about enough? Two people who will be attending the conference are Sophie and Sean, and they joined Andrea to discuss...

When you think of divorce we often think view it as a sad occasion. But, should it also be something to celebrate? And, is it important to mark the occasion? Tracey in Waterford joined Andrea to tell her about the unique way in which she is marking her own divorce...

This is Lunchtime Live’s Big Batch. Every Monday we’ll be learning new easy to cook batch recipes from Cook Book Author and Recipe writer Sarah Butler to keep you eating well. No more staring into an open fridge looking for inspiration! This week Andrea and Sarah looked at recipes for a Tomato and Garlic Pasta and Sweet and Sticky Vegetable Stir Fry with Egg Fried Rice... Follow the hashtag #LLBigBatch for all our recipes.

Green Party leader Eamon Ryan has said that cyclists need to create a “culture” of being respectful towards pedestrians and the law. He was speaking at a meeting on the Dodder Greenway when he was asked about some of the tension that can arise between cyclists and people walking.  He said the “conflict” could be reduced by wider cycling and walking paths but he also pointed the finger at ‘cycling culture’. Andrea was joined by listeners to discuss...

Every Friday, as part of our ‘Ask Me Anything’ series, we put your questions to people from interesting background or working in different jobs.  Today, Andrea was joined by Author Caroline Grace Cassidy to answer some listeners questions...

Talking on the INSPIRE podcast, Home of the year judge Sara Cosgrove has said that having a ‘No Moan zone’ helps her to make good business decisions, but is moaning actually important or can it benefit us? Alison Curtis was joined by Terry Prone, Chair Of The Communcations Clinic, Brendan Kelly, Consultant Psychiatrist and others to discuss...

Earlier in the week American TV host Jon Stewart spoke on his show ‘The Daily Show’ about losing his pet dog Dipper: It’s sparked off a huge conversation about losing a pet- something so many of us can relate to, and whether or not it’s taken seriously enough. Alison Curtis was joined by pet behaviourist Suzi Walsh and other listeners to discuss...

A global study has found that more than one billion people now living with obesity worldwide. In Ireland almost 60% of adults are obese or overweight. Alison Curtis was joined by Professor Donal O’Shea, HSE Clinical Lead for Obesity and other listeners to discuss...

Every day we scour the newspapers but often, many great stories from the regional papers don’t make the headlines.Newstalk's Breakfast Briefing presenter Shane Beatty has rounded up some of the best stories that you might have missed... 

Two Dublin restaurants have been broken into, with their tills taken and their windows smashed – in just the last week. Andrea was joined by Robert Hayes from Bootleg restaurant and Big Fan Restaurant, Chef Andrew Rudd, Director of Medley Restaurant and Louise McDonnell, who owns Munchies on Baggot Street...

Looking for a way to maximise your storage space outdoors?Architect Roisin Murphy and Hardware Expert Alan Grant joined Andrea with some tricks of the trade to give you tips and advice...

Today, of course, is February 29th - a Leap Year Day. According to tradition women are allowed to propose to male suitors today.  Andrea was joined by Dr. Caroline West, Sex & relationship expert for Bumble Ireland and other listeners to discuss...

It's time for Throwback Thursday, where we look back on things that happened this week in history. Ciaran O’Connor from 98fm joined Andrea Gilligan on Lunchtime Live... 

Are loyalty cards and club cards really beneficial for shoppers? Or, are we being duped?  Helen Coffey, Senior features writer for The Independent UK, says that ‘the cult of the supermarket loyalty card robbed us of normal prices’ Andrea was joined by Helen Coffey and others to discuss...

From blood types, to supply and who can and can’t donate blood, Andrea was joined by Dr Ellen McSweeney from the Irish Blood Transfusion Donor Consultant to answer listeners questions around blood donation...

Would you take your children out of school to travel? In October 2021, Danny and Aideen McAuliffe took their three children out of school to travel through Central and South America. They say that every family should be given six months off to see the world. Danny and Aideen and other listeners joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live to discuss...

On Friday 8 March 2024, we are being asked to vote on two proposed changes to the Constitution. But with the date closing in on us – many people still have questions about what the referendum actually means. Oran Doyle, Research professor Trinity College Dublin joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live to explain...

Should court cases be broadcast on television in Ireland?Andrea was joined on Lunchtime Live by Sinead Ryan, presenter of The Home Show on Newstalk, Larry Donnelly, Law Lecturer in the University of Galway and other to discuss...

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.  Newstalk’s own Cathal O’Sullivan joined Andrea in studio to put a smile on your faces...