Highlights From Lunchtime Live

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a life-altering neurological condition that affects thousands of people across Ireland. It can impact mobility, speech, vision, and everyday life.Joining Andrea in the studio to talk about living with MS, and the MS Readathon is Meath Gaelic Footballer, Cillian O’Sullivan and Jamie Crawford.

Every Wednesday afternoon, we’ll be talking Making Babies.Andrea will be joined by Professor Shane Higgins, Master of the National Maternity Hospital to cover every area of trying to have a baby. From the very start of knowing how to prepare, right up to pregnancy – and all the bumps in the road in between.This week, Shane joins Andrea to discuss the difficult topic of miscarriage, and what you should know.

AI is the fastest growing online industry in the world, and it was probably inevitable that it would be used to try and scam people.Karl Deeter, CEO of OnlineApplication.com has experienced this for the first time, and joins Andrea to discuss.

With many people heading off to third level, many companies must now look outside of Ireland for tradesmen and women. It comes as Dublin Bus has had to recruit from overseas because of a shortage of mechanics here.Many people who take on apprenticeships, learn on the job, earn a living while doing so and in turn, start on a decent salary when they have qualified. So why are these jobs being overlooked?Has college opened such a wide range of doors for people that now the everyday trade is a thing of the past?Joining Andrea to discuss is Iarnród Éireann's Apprentice Training Manager, Conor Doolin, and listeners.

For this week’s Ask the Expert, Andrea is joined by Blake Boland, Spokesperson for Dublin Bus to answer your public transport questions!

The Ploughing Championships started earlier today, with 300,000 people expected to attend! When thinking of farming, do you believe that social media makes it look more glamorous than it actually is?Henry McKean is there and speaking with farmers (and the Tánaiste!) for their thoughts!

Do you think children today have enough time for play and to properly digest their food? There are reports of some Irish schools offering as little as 10 minutes of lunchtime for kids. And what about the number of children who end up taking food home? Does your child feel rushed eating in school?Andrea is joined to discuss by Daniel Davey, Sports Nutritionist, Eoin Dolan, Principal of Mother of Divine Grace National School in Finglas, Sarah Keogh, Dietitian & Founder of Eatwell and more.

The Social Democrats had only just given TD Eoin Hayes a second chance after he misled the party about holding shares in Palantir, a controversial company that has profited from Israeli military actions in Gaza. But now, Hayes is under scrutiny again, this time over photos showing him in blackface portraying Obama at a Halloween party 16 years ago…Should we be more forgiving of people's past mistakes - or are some actions simply too serious to overlook, no matter how long ago they happened?Joining Andrea to discuss is Mamobo Ogoro, Founder of Gorm Media and Social Psychologist and Eoin O’Malley, Professor in Political Science at DCU.

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 Tom King, a blacksmith from the Boyne Valley in Meath to talk all things blacksmithing!

New research carried out for the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) has shown that almost three-quarters of people in Ireland believe the country’s wealth is unfairly distributed.It comes as almost half of respondents said they were concerned they would not be able to pay their bills over the year ahead.The findings have now put added pressure on the Government to incorporate energy credits in next month’s Budget as a way to tackle these concerns.So, do you think these energy credits should be included in the 2026 budget?Joining Andrea to discuss is Irish Times Consumer Journalist, Conor Pope, Stephen McMahon from the Irish Patients’ Association and listeners.

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

A UK study has suggested that the wordier your apology, the more effective it is.The British Journal of Psychology has said that if you want to truly convince people that you are sorry, then longer words make you sound more sincere.Do you agree?Joining Andrea to discuss is Leslie Shoemaker, Counselling Psychologist and Lecturer in TU Dublin and Mary McCarthy, Irish Independent Columnist.

There's been a noticeable rise in the number of Irish adults without any retirement plan in place. Recent research from the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) shows that one in four people are unprepared for retirement…So, what’s going on? Do people simply not care about their financial future? Or has the rising cost of living made it nearly impossible to put money aside?Andrea is joined by listeners to discuss.

Learner drivers who have not passed their driving test after seven years will be required to take additional driving lessons in order to go back on the road, according to new proposals by the Government.Is this fair?Joining Andrea to discuss is Minister of State for Transport & Independent TD for Galway East, Seán Canney, as well as listeners.

Welcome to The Pod Squad!We review podcasts every week so you always have something new to listen to.Broadcaster Padraig Wilson McCarthy and Host of ‘What’s Trending in F1?’ podcast Elaine Power join Andrea Gilligan to review ‘Maintenance Phase’!

Later this month, Croke Park will be full of American Football fans as the Minnesota Vikings, and the Pittsburgh Steelers go head-to-head. This will be the first time that Croke Park has ever held an event of this caliber.With many people heading to the 80,000-seater stadium, fans will have a privilege that many GAA fans have not had before. They will be allowed to drink alcohol in their seats.The long-standing rule in Croke Park prevents fans from bringing alcohol into the stands. In this event, however, this rule will not apply.Should this change be a permanent one? Or should we keep alcohol out of the stands?Andrea is joined by listeners to discuss.

For this week’s Ask Me Anything, Psychic Medium Felicity McCann joins Andrea to answer any of your other-wordly questions!

There are no boring Irish people. That was the claim made by Alicia Silverstone whilst appearing on Rob Lowe’s podcast this week.Ireland’s known for its storytellers, wit, and charm, but is it all just a flattering myth? Or is there something in the culture that makes dullness rare? Is this claim ridiculous or true?Andrea is joined by listeners to discuss!

We often talk about the struggles women go through when they become a mother, and rightfully so, they undergo huge physical and mental transformations when they become a mother.But, more often than not, new dads tend to struggle with their mental health and the new changes in their roles and responsibilities. Do they get enough support?Andrea is joined by listeners to discuss.

A new incentive is encouraging tourists driving in the highlands to display T-plates. The green tourist plates will be rolled out in a bid to reduce the number of accidents on Scotland’s roads.It comes as many accidents occur due to people being inexperienced with driving on the left-hand side of the road.Is this initiative something Ireland should do too?Andrea is joined by Minister of State & Independent TD for Kerry, Michael Healy Rae, Brenda Bolger from the School of Motoring in Kilkenny and listeners to discuss.