Highlights From Lunchtime Live

Over the last twenty-five years, Ireland has changed. Our voices got louder. Our culture reached further, and some extraordinary people helped shape it all…From trailblazers in the arts and social change, to leaders in sport, music and on the big screen, we’re counting down the most influential Irish people of the last 25 years.You, the listener, have been voting for who you think are the most influential people that moved us and inspired us as part of Newstalk's 25 of 25!Joining Andrea to discuss the best musicians to come out of Ireland over the past 25 years is Newstalk’s Tom Dunne and Today FM’s Alison Curtis!

It’s How I Live Well time! Where Andrea Gilligan is joined by someone to discuss what they do to improve their life.This week, Andrea is joined by Nutritionist Aileen Cox Blundell to discuss looking after yourself when you’ll inevitably want to indulge over Christmas!

Ambulance services nationwide are increasingly strained by calls that are not genuine medical emergencies. Some individuals misuse ambulances as a free taxi service, calling for transport after a night out and leaving the hospital without treatment.This abuse diverts critical resources, delays responses to real emergencies, and places additional pressure on paramedics, affecting their ability to provide timely and effective care.What needs to be done to tackle this, and how does this impact paramedics trying to do their job?Joining Andrea to discuss this is Angie Baily, Councillor in Tralee, David Hall, CEO of Lifeline Ambulance, Stephen McMahon from the Irish Patients’ Association and more.

Dr Nina Byrnes, GP at Generation Health Medical Clinic joined Andrea Gilligan to tackle your medical queries…

The world is still coming to terms with the shock of the shooting in Bondi Beach yesterday.A father and son killed 15 people after opening fire on a Hanukkah celebration at the beach…The older man died at the scene, while his son is in a critical condition in hospital.Joining Andrea to discuss their experiences of being nearby the shooting is Craig and TV Presenter Michelle Doherty. Later, listeners, including those in the Jewish community, join to give their reactions.Image: Reuters

Christmas is only ten days away! Lunchtime Live is going to be highlighting some great Irish businesses that you can support this festive season.One of the most important aspects of Christmas has to be dinner - so why not line the table with products from Irish brands?Joining Andrea to discuss is Caterer Sally-Ann, Aisling Kelly Hunter from the Silgo Oyster Experience, Vicki Baird, ‘Bosslady’ of Stillgarden Distillery and John Hempenstall, Founder of Wicklow Farmhouse Cheese.

Welcome to The Pod Squad!We review podcasts every week so you always have something new to listen to.Stylist and Journalist Laura Mullet and Newstalk’s Rory Galvin join Andrea to review ‘Lines of Enquiry’.Image: GoLoud

For this week’s Ask Me Anything, writer, performer and escort activist Kate McGrew  joins Andrea to answer any of your questions!

It’s a sad day for Daniel O’Donnell fans as he’s announced the end of his long running fan club.Daniel joins Andrea to discuss why…

The long-awaited World Darts Championship kicked off last night in the infamous Alexandra Palace, with Luke Littler beginning the defense of his title with a win.Darts has long been a bone of contention in the debate around what constitutes a sport, with some claiming it’s just a pub game, but what do you think? Is it a sport?Joining Andrea to discuss is Sports Journalist Conan Doherty, Comedian Jim Elliott, Richie Walsh from  501 Darts supply store in Trim and listeners.

Do you let your dog lick your face? For some, it’s a simple way to bond with your pet, for others, it’s completely disgusting, and out of the question!Joining Andrea to discuss is dog lover and Journalist Andrea Smith, Laoise Downes, Owner of Outpaws and Wedding Woofs, a bespoke dog service and Dr. Primrose Freestone, Associate Professor in Clinical Microbiology, University of Leicester.

Breakfast Briefing Presenter Shane Beatty joins Andrea Gilligan with plenty of stories from around the country this week!

Under recommendations from the Department of Transport, roadside memorials to crash victims will be banned.Pre-existing memorials will not be automatically removed, but tributes will no longer be allowed on motorways, dual carriageways, regional or local roads with a speed limit of over 60 kilometers an hour.The move has sparked criticism from families who have lost loved ones on Irish roads, and road crash victims' groups.Joining Andrea to discuss this is Sean Canney. Minister of State for Transport & Independent TD for Galway East, Susan Grey of PARK Road Safety Advocacy Group and listeners.

Around Christmastime, the odds are you will be hosting friends and family for a few days. So, how do you squeeze more people in without making a mess of the place, and what should you bring if you’re a guest?Well, the Home Squad are here to discuss hosting Christmas!Joining Andrea to discuss is Jenny Sheehan, Irish Examiner Columnist and former winner of ‘Home of the Year’ (@workerscottage on Instagram) and Sarah Carroll (@sand.and.deliver on Instagram).

Yesterday on the show we spoke about the UK’s efforts to extend bereavement leave after the loss of a family member…It spoke to a lot of people, and a huge amount reached out to share their own stories.One of those was Peter Shelly, and she joins Andrea to discuss.

The Olympics of food is coming to Ireland next February when the Michelin Awards hit our shores - but is enough fuss being made out of it?Joining Andrea to discuss is Food Writer, Corinna Hardgrave, Michelin-starred Chef JP McMahon and Jacinta Dalton, Head of Culinary Arts in ATU Galway.

Are babysitters becoming a thing of the past? Are parents too precious, or are they too costly?Joining Andrea to discuss is Journalist Niamh O’Reilly, Katie Makk from the ‘Opinions Matter’ Podcast and listeners.

We’ve decided to do a deep dive on some of our favourite albums to explore the stories behind them.What did the artists really think of each other? Where did the inspirations from the songs come from?Joining Andrea to discuss is Head Tour Guide at the Irish Rock ‘N’ Roll Museum Experience, Alan Buckley, who’s going to talk through The Cranberries album ‘Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We?’.

In September, Irish businessman Paul Anthony Walsh was shocked to find that thousands had been stolen from his Revolut account.He has now been told by Revolut that he is not entitled to a reimbursement.He joins Andrea to discuss what exactly happened. Presenter of the Home Show on Newstalk and Consumer Columnist with the Irish Independent, Sinead Ryan also joins to discuss how to avoid these types of scams.

Should terms like ‘burger’ and ‘sausage’ be reserved for real meat?EU Countries and lawmakers are meeting today to decide whether plant based foods should be allowed to call their products burgers.What do you think?Joining Andrea to discuss is Denis Drennan, Farmer and President of the Irish Creamery Association, as well as listeners.