Highlights From Lunchtime Live

Fáilte Ireland has come out to say that Dublin needs more hotels to reduce the risk of hotel room price inflation. It comes after Dublin City Council has supported plans for a new 143 bedroom apart-hotel for Donnybrook, Dublin 4.With the hospitality sector receiving a VAT cut in the Budget 2026, does this really reflect how this industry is struggling?Does Dublin need more hotels?Andrea is joined by listeners to discuss.

For this week’s Ask the Expert, Andrea is joined by Dr Ellen McSweeney, IBTS Donor Consultant, to answer any of your blood donation questions!

Doping is usually a taboo topic in the world of sport, but one new competition is bringing it right into the spotlight.The Enhanced Games not only allow, but encourage athletes to take performance enhancing drugs to boost their performance.They are set to take place next May in Las Vegas, with a number of high-profile athletes already set to compete, including one of Ireland's most celebrated swimmers, Shane Ryan.Sport Ireland has expressed disappointment at his decision to take part, so with the games splitting opinions across the sporting world, what are your thoughts?Managing Editor of Off the Ball Adrian Barry, Sport Editor with Tipp FM Paul Carroll and listeners join Andrea to discuss.

October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. The month serves to honour these babies, support grieving families, and raise awareness about this deeply sensitive issue. The Global Wave of Light will take place tomorrow; people are encouraged to light a candle at 7pm local time in membrane and solidarity.Andrea’s guest sadly lost his baby girl Aodhla when she was just 8 weeks and two days old. Peter and his wife Sarah were out for a walk on the Hill of Tara when Aodhla passed away.Peter joins Andrea to discuss.

Irish actor Brendan Gleeson has said that he is tired of watching fatherhood portrayed in negative terms on screens.This comes after he starred in ‘H is for Hawk’ alongside Claire Foy, this film follows Cambridge academic Helen MacDonald who, while coping with the grief of her father's death, builds an unlikely friendship with a stubborn hawk named Mabel.Gleeson went on to say this particular film is so beautiful in the way that that’s what it’s trying to do. The memory of this man is that he was a proper, good man who gave love to his daughter.What do you think? Is fatherhood negatively portrayed on screens?Andrea is joined by 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 a Financial Consultant with Ask Paul.ie, Paul Merriman, to discuss how you can get your finances in order.

Presidential candidates Heather Humphreys and Catherine Connolly spoke with Pat Kenny today as part of a Presidential debate ahead of the election on Friday the 24th of October. The two candidates gave their sides to why they should be elected as Ireland’s next President.What was the outcome of this debate? Was there anything that stood out to you?Joining Andrea to discuss is Newstalk’s Political Correspondent, Seán Defoe, as well as listeners.

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

You may have seen the footage of the Schalke football fans in Dublin over the weekend…Hooligans were seen marching down streets and attacking photographers.One of those photographers, Carly Clarke joins Andrea and more to discuss what happened…

Dublin and District Schoolboys’ and Girls’ League have announced a silent sidelines campaign that will run once a month until the end of the year.They have said that behavior from the sidelines has a “detrimental effect on the players looking to play and enjoy football”...But, what do you think? Do we need silent sidelines?Joining Andrea to discuss is Jen Hogan, Irish Times Journalist and host of the ‘Conversations with Parents’ podcast, Antonio Montero, Football Coach and Founder of the Silent Sideline Campaign, Off the Ball’s Adrian Barry and more.

Over a million tonnes of food are wasted here every year, costing households money and adding to climate change.So, what are some things we can do to reduce food waste?Joining Andrea to discuss is Conor Spacey, Culinary Director of Food Space Ireland and author of ‘Wasted’, Machaela O'Leary Sales Manager with Too Good To Go and Chef JP McMahon.

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 Newstalk’s Rory Galvin join Andrea to review ‘Death in Dubai’.Image: BBC

A new Assisted Human Reproduction Regulatory Authority (AHRRA) has been established by the Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill.The legislation will aim to protect the rights of all parties involved in assisted human reproduction, including parents, donors, and children born through these technologies.What does it mean for those who use surrogacy when having a child?Joining Andrea to discuss is CEO of Equality for Children, Ranae Von Meding, Chairperson of Irish Gay Dads, Seamus Kearney Martone and listeners.

For this week’s Ask Me Anything, award-winning Cartoonist Niall O’Loughlin joins Andrea to answer any of your cartoon, animation and caricature questions!

 A survey from Bulmers reveals that one third of Irish adults don’t celebrate their achievements…Are we as Irish people bad at celebrating our achievements? Is there something to our society that keeps us from sharing our wins in life?Professor of Psychiatry at TCD Brendan Kelly and Broadcaster Meghan Scully join Andrea to discuss.

Lisa O’Connor has been campaigning to change the laws surrounding pet theft, and has stressed the importance of her petition as she stated, “behind every stolen dog is a broken family.”As it stands, while pet theft is considered a serious crime, it falls under ‘stolen property’ with Lisa stating that pets are not stolen property, but companions and part of people’s families.Lisa joins Andrea, as well as listeners, to discuss.

From gigantic catches to marathon unmatchedness, Alex Rowley from the Newstalk Newsroom joins Andrea with the stories from around the country that you might have missed this week…

Two weeks ago, Paula Crotty joined Andrea to share her story of her daughter who suffered from an eating disorder.She joins Andrea again to delve deeper into this, alongside Angela, who also has experience as a family member of someone with disordered eating.

Donald Trump has made it clear that he thinks he should be the winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, claiming that he has been instrumental in stopping multiple awards.He didn’t win it this year, but should he?Joining Andrea to discuss is Vice Chair of Democrats Abroad, Patti Shields, Executive Director, Irish Cultural Centre and former Sheriff of Norfolk County in Massachusetts Jerry McDermott and listeners.Image: Reuters

One listener got in touch with the show with a paint-related question…To answer this and discuss the importance of good paint, the Home Squad are here to discuss picking the right paint!Joining Andrea to discuss is Painter Oisin Butler and Róisín Lafferty, Founder & Creative Director of Róisín Lafferty Design House.