Highlights From Lunchtime Live

As part of Love Donegal Day Andrea Gilligan took a genealogy test to see just how Donegal she really is. Jennifer Doyle, researcher with ancestry.com joined Andrea in studio to reveal the results…  

The Draft Dublin City Centre Transport Plan is the latest attempt from Dublin City Council and the National Transport Authority to deal with the traffic and public transport issues in the city centre.  The plan will involve car restrictions, and in some cases total car bans from large parts of the city. Right now, there’s huge congestion and the experience for anyone cyling or using public transport can be hellish.  Andrea was joined by listeners to discuss...

Chambers Bar is a well known LGBTQ+ bar in Cork city. It hosts Drag nights and brunches regularly and has always been considered one of the top spaces for those events in the city.  For Freshers week this year they have changed their name to 'Sinners' and removed all their gay flags and signs. The speculation seems to be that’s it’s a commercial decision to get a larger crowd in. Andrea was joined by drag queen Krystal Queer, Ailsa Spindler is with me from Gay Project, Evan and Laura to discuss...Image: Google Maps/Con Keating / Drag Queen Krystal Queer

Last week, Gayle told us her heartbreaking experience of being unable to go to her mother’s funeral because she couldn’t get respite for her disabled son. Anne Rabbitte, Minister of State. Department of Children, Disability, Equality, Integration and Youth joined Andrea to give her reaction and discuss future plans for supports for carers.Gayle also joined Andrea after listening to the Minister to give her reaction...

Trinity College students have clashed with tourists as they blockade access to the Book of Kells this morning. They’re protesting as part of a ‘Freeze the Rents’ housing protest. Andrea Gilligan was joined on Lunchtime Live by László Molnárfi is the President of Trinity Student's Union and other students to discuss...

How important are soaps in discussing national issues? Between Fair City introducing a far right character to discussions surrounding storylines like teen pregnancies, addiction and gay rights – soaps have always tried to reflect the society we live in. But do they continue to have a place in our society?Andrea was joined by Alan Flannagan, Hollyoaks writer and Jay Brannigan, director of soaps like Fair City and Eastenders…

RTÉ has refused to publish a list of its top 100 earners, saying it would be “inappropriate” to ask staff for permission to release their names alongside their salaries.   The broadcaster told an Oireachtas media committee that “It remains inappropriate to ask staff for permission to release their names alongside their salaries."Andrea was joined by listeners to discuss...

Communities in North Kildare are protesting today about access to a major public site being cut off.  Access to the Castletown House estate in Celbridge will be completely cut off from one side.  It’s annoyed the local community and residents have blocked the road this morning believing the owners intended to renovate the site immediately. Andrea was joined by Social Democrats TD Catherine Murphy and other local reisdents to discuss...

Third level students around the country are struggling to find accommodation for the start of the academic year.  UCD and Trinity students union have been handing out fliers around Dublin to encourage people to rent out rooms in their homes. There are stories in nearly every university and college of the difficulties their students are facing. Andrea was joined by Charlie, Mohammed, Sam and more to discuss...

Following the devastating earthquake in Morocco, the death toll is now close to 3,000 people. It was a 6.8 magnitude earthquake, the strongest in the North African country's history, that struck 72km southwest of the city of Marrakesh.  Andrea was joined by Russell, from Bangor in Down who is living in Marrakesh and Asia from Cork who has since returned home…

Working from home is apparently playing havoc with our diets! We’re far more likely to snack on indulgent things and eat more often when doing the day job from the comfort of your own home. That is according to a new survey by Compass Group Ireland. Andrea was joined by Keelin O'Dwyer, Behavioural Psychologist to discuss...

The school day routine has arrived back in families lives with a bang. However, uniforms are still a contentious issue among parents. How do you feel about school uniforms? Are they old fashioned? Or do they still serve a purpose? Andrea was joined by parents and listeners to discuss...

Mother of four Shannon Meenan Browse from Derry sadly died last month following gastric sleeve surgery abroad. Her family wants to tell Shannon’s story to warn others of the possible risks of having this surgery overseas. Shannon’s Dad Shane and Brother Conneith joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live to discuss…

Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis have apologised over the weekend after character letters they wrote for their former That 70’s Show co-star Danny Masterson were made public.   Masterson was sentenced last week to 30 years to life in prison for raping two women at his Californian home in the early 2000s.  In their character letters, Kunis and Kutcher described Masterson as a decent human and a “role model” for others.   Andrea was joined by listeners to discuss...

A video of ‘buskers’ in Cork has gone viral because people are complaining about the quality. It’s someone dressed up as a leprechaun, blaring a dance edit of the song ‘Stand by Me’.  Should the standard of street performers be subject to regulation? Andrea was joined by David Owens, busker and musician, Oliver Moran Green Councillor for Cork City North East, Kevin Hurlihy, from Cork Business Association and Iman from Dulce Bun House in Cork 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.Caoimhseach Connolly, from our news team has done the hard work and sourced the best deals...

Should certain breeds of dogs be fully banned?  The UK Home Secretary, Suella Braverman, has announced she has commissioned urgent advice on outlawing American XL Bully dogs after she highlighted an “appalling” attack on an 11-year-old girl in Birmingham.  Is it time that certain breeds were fully banned? Andrea was joined by listeners to discuss...

As you may have heard Ryanair Michael O’Leary was hit in the face with two cream pies yesterday while preparing to deliver a petition to the European Commission president in Brussels.    Is it ok to pie someone you don’t agree with? What do you think – is this an acceptable form of protest? Andrea was joined by listeners to discuss...

A new plan for Dublin’s North Inner city will see community safety wardens on the streets.  They’ll focus on areas like Wolfe Tone Square and O’Connell Street. It comes after weeks of crime in the city centre being put under the spotlight.   The wardens would be employed by Dublin Town to observe and report issues of anti-social behaviour. Andrea was joined by Gerry Farrell, Operations Director at DublinTown and other listeners to discuss...

More people are continuing to get in touch with Lunchtime Live about their experiences as carers and the lack of support for them in Ireland.Andrea was joined by Carmel and Chris on the show today to discuss their experiences...