Highlights From Lunchtime Live

Shocking scenes outside Leinster House yesterday as TDs and staff were unable to leave the grounds due to protestors. There’s videos circulating of Michael Healy Rae being jostled and harangued, verbal abuse being thrown at him.  13 people were arrested in connection with the protests. Where you there? What do you think of these kind of demonstrations? Andrea was joined by some of those who were in Leinster House yesterday including; patient advocate, Stephen Teap, Adrian Cummins and CEO of the Restaurant's Association. Cllr Jackie Healy-Rae, Fine Gael Senator Barry Ward, Joe O'Shea, Editor of CorkBeo and more listeners joined Andrea to discuss...

Today marks 25 years since the launch of TV3. One of the stars that launched the station, Gráinne Seoige joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live to discuss her memories...

A listener, Garret Ahern contacted Lunchtime Live to share his story of his wife availing of assisted dying.His wife, Vicky Janssens was diagnosed with terminal cancer and in her final months she decided to avail of assisted dying in her home country Belgium. He told Andrea the story of travelling to Belgium with his wife for her final days…

Vanessa Molloy in Kerry joined Andrea Gilligan on Lunchtime Live. Vanessa has a big problem with rats in her house at the moment...

Former Dublin Lord Mayor Nial Ring has described Ireland’s bail system as a “complete joke”.  The Independent councillor made the comments after Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring also called on the State to do “something about bail” at a recent hearing. This all comes after a teenager who received bail for allegedly attacking two British tourists was brought back to court four days later over another alleged offence.   Andrea was joined by listeners to discuss... 

Why is it so difficult for some parents to get swimming lessons for their children? “It feels like the Hunger Games. Fighting for this limited number of spaces. I genuinely think people would step over their own mother to get a place.”  - so tells one parent to Deirdre McArdle, writing in the Irish Examiner this week.  Andrea was joined by Deirdre, Tim Lombard, Fine Gael Senator and others to discuss...

Parents with children for life-altering spinal surgeries have hit out at the HSE and Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) as operations have been postponed. It comes after the HSE announced that it has commissioned a review into parts of paediatric care at Temple Street after one child died and others suffered serious post-surgery complications following spinal surgery there. Andrea was joined by parents and listeners to discuss...

The National Ploughing Championship kicks off its three-day festivities today. It is believed that tens of thousands of people are due to attend the Laois festival with their wellies in toe. What makes it so popular and what exactly do people do at it?  Andrea was joined by National President of Macra Na Feirme, Elaine Houlihan, Clive Carter, the Site Owner of the Ploughing Championship land and Louise and Catherine to discuss...

Andrea Gilligan was at Liberty Hall this morning where the National Women’s Council organised a National Day of Action calling for public, affordable childcare.  She met with Vicky Masterson, a mother of two, Engineer and mum of one Sinead Massey and Eilish Balfe, the Care Officer in the National Women’s Council...

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has defended its ‘be seen, be safe’ campaign for pedestrians and cyclists to wear high-visibility clothing amid accusations of ‘victim blaming’ vulnerable road users.  Galway City Councillor and founder of Galway Cycle Bus Alan Curran has slammed the RSA for ‘failing’ in its mandate to protect pedestrians and cyclists. What do you think? Is this campaign by the RSA victim blaming?  Andrea was joined by Kevin Jennings, Chairperson of Galway Cycling Campaign and other listeners to discuss...

The Loneliness Taskforce has criticised the Government for “not living up to their commitment to tackle loneliness”. The report published in June found Ireland had the highest rates of loneliness in the EU, with 20% of Irish participants feeling lonely most or all of the time compared to an European average of 13%. Andrea was joined by listeners to discuss...

As the cost-of-living crisis continues to bite across the country, Newstalk is here to help with a new online series highlighting the best ways to save on your bills.Cut-the-Cost will offer tips and advice on how to save on everything from energy and the weekly shop to modern essentials like broadband and phone contracts.Aoife Kearns, from our news team has done the hard work and sourced the best deals for broadband providers...

DCU has come under fire for charging the students living on campus €56 to park there for the week. Previously, students living on campus had to enter a lottery to get allocated a car parking space, which cost €200 last year. But the car park will now be on a ‘first come, first served’ basis, and parking their cars overnight full-time will cost students living on campus hundreds of euro extra per year. Andrea was joined by DCU student Jack McDonald and DCU Student's Union President Thomas O'Dowd...Image: Higher Education Authority

Are we biased against people from Northern Ireland?  Talking about the recent no confidence vote in Garda Commissioner, and Northerner, Drew Harris, Sunday Times Columnist Alison O’Connor wondered whether an unconscious bias against people in Northern Ireland was to blame.What do you think? Do we have an unconscious bias against people from the North? Are they ‘othered’?  Andrea was joined by listeners to discuss...

Disability advocate Niamh Ní Hoireabhaird has spoke in the Independent about her excitement about getting married, but the issues it could create for her with her disability allowance. Niamh joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live to discuss...

For the first time ever the number of beds available to tourists on Venice’s main island has surpassed the number of year-round residents. Do we run the risk of going the same road? Are we taking care of tourists too much at a loss to everyone else? Andrea was joined by James Madigan, Stalwart of the Liberties Cultural Association and other listeners to discuss?

Last week, Andrea spoke to Mactalene Palm, whose daughter Amber disappeared while on holiday in Disneyland. Today, Mactalene joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live with an update...

The Book of Kells was in the news this week. Trinity College students blocked access for tourists to the Book of Kells this morning. They’re protesting as part of a ‘Freeze the Rents’ housing protest, we talked about it ourselves on the show on Wednesday.  Since then there has been a lot of talk about the Book of Kells and the fact that it is located in Trinity College. There have been some calls for it to be moved to the National Museum, where it could be viewed for free. Others want the Book of Kells actually returned to the town of Kells in Co Meath.  Andrea was joined by listeners to discuss…

One of the toughest things a family can go through, is having child that is sick. Particularly one that is sick for a long period of time. As well as the incredible emotional toil it can take, there is a huge financial aspect to this. And it’s often one that isn’t considered unless you’re going through it yourself. Parents have to miss work or sometimes even give up their jobs to take on caring duties, and being sick itself can be expensive Does there need to be more financial supports given to families with a sick child? Andrea was joined by Seamus and Susan to discuss…

To celebrate Love Donegal Day, Andrea Gilligan was joined by Kieran Cuddihy in studio and he put her through her paces with a quiz all about Donegal...