Highlights From Lunchtime Live

For the first time in the Irish Defence Forces’ history, soldiers will be allowed to have beards while on duty.    It’s one of a few new dress code changes being brought in starting from tomorrow. But does it really matter what members of the Defence Forces look like?Andrea was joined by Kevin Byrne, Retired Lieutenant Colonel and others 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...

Welcome to The Pod Squad!We’ll review podcasts every Tuesday so you’ll have something new to listen to. Andrea was joined by Jess Kelly and Elaine Burke to talk about the podcast Young Hot Guys...Image: Young Hot Guys

Ciara Kelly spoke on Newstalk Breakfast this morning about female pain being dismissed. Is this a common experience for women in Ireland?Andrea was joined by listeners to discuss...

Over in the UK, Scottish Civil Servants have been granted permission to work abroad for one month of the year.  They can log in from anywhere for four months of the year considering there is a genuine reason to do so.  Should we be more lenient with our hybrid working guidelines? Andrea was joined by Caroline Reidy, HR expert, from the HR Suite, Joanne Mangan from Grow Remote and more to discuss...

This year Andrea Gilligan is determined to make some changes and become that bit healthier! Over the next few weeks Andrea will be joined by a number of different people to find out how they live well.Adam Starr, Principal Teacher at Tara Kadampa Meditation Centre, Dublin joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live today to discuss hillwalking...

Does St. Patrick’s Day make you proud to be Irish?  Lord Mayor of Dublin Daithí de Róiste today launched the St. Patrick's Festival, with the theme announced as SPRÉACH’, or spark, representing the life force, the very essence of our being! Andrea Gilligan was joined by Ian O'Doherty, Columnist with the Irish Independent

Barry Moore, Compliance Manager with BM Logistics joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live today to discuss the impact of migrants boarding trucks on his business...

There are graveyards across the country full of tombstones of all shapes and sizes. Some much larger than others.The larger ones, which are common for members of the travelling community, are apparently causing upset to some, saying it goes too far. Others are saying we need more respect for cultural differences when it comes to honouring our dead. Andrea was joined on Lunchtime Live by Cllr. Michael Connolly, Colm Kieran, Funeral Director, Martin Mahon, traveller rights activist and others to discuss...Image: Find a Grave

Tony Walsh runs local printing business Walsh Colour Print in Kerry. We spoke to him last year about houses that he had built for his staff.Tony joined Andrea again on Lunchtime Live to give an update about the situation...

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 Air Fryer Pizza Bagels and Crunchy Chewy Rocky Road...Follow the hashtag #LLBigBatch for all our recipes.

An article in the Irish Daily Mail has revealed truckers around the country have been offered up to €25k to smuggle illegal migrants. Wexford TD Verona Murphy has said it is up to the authorities where the ferries depart to tighten up on these gangs.   Andrea was joined on Lunchtime Live by Verona Murphy, Ger Hyland President of the Irish Road Haulage Association and other truck drivers to discuss...

In a bid to attract and obtain staff, Ryanair has purchased 25 of 28 new-builds in Swords. The airline will rent the rooms out to their staff.  Andrea Gilligan was joined by Labour Party Councillor, James Humphreys, Rory Hearne, Associate Professor in Social Policy at NUI Maynooth and author of ‘Gaffs.. Why nobody can get a house’ and others to discuss...

A study has shown that Handwriting is better for your brain than typing – but have we lost the art of handwriting? Andrea was joined by Liz Maguire, a Dublin-based antiquarian, Vanessa Fox O'Loughlin from Writing.ie and others 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... 

Eurosong will be happening tonight on the Late Late Show tonight. Ireland haven’t exactly had much success at Eurovision lately – so what should we be doing differently? Andrea was joined by former Eurovision winner Charlie McGettigan, Keith Mills and Dermot Manning to discuss...

Want to revamp your kitchen without spending a fortune? Architect Roisin Murphy and Hardware Expert Alan Grant joined Andrea with some tricks of the trade to give you a fresh kitchen without the cost...

Shaun Fogarty is an inspiration. After an accident left him completely paralysed from the neck down when he was just 19 years old, he has gone on to defy the odds – learning to eat and talk again, as well as going back to college to earn a masters degree. Shaun joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live alongside his mother Gretta...

A Tipperary Granny in her 70s is planning to skydive with her son this February to raise funds for Gaza. Mary and Mike McDonnell joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live...

The Citizens Assembly on Drug use are meeting right now, to recommend a 'decriminalised' version of our drugs laws. It would cover anyone caught with drugs for personal use. They believe the criminalisation of drug use has not worked.Andrea was joined by listeners to discuss...