Highlights From Lunchtime Live

The National Transport Authority is set to begin a phased rollout of contactless payments across TFI Local Link Services today, which is forecast to be complete by the end of 2026.However, Transport Minister Darragh O’Brien told an Oireachtas Committee on Transport in June that contactless payments on Dublin transport may not be fully available until 2029…Why is this taking so long?Joining Andrea to discuss is Joshua Ellul, Member of the Labour Party and Dublin Commuter Coalition, as well as listeners.

We’re officially in the run up to Christmas!For the next few weeks, Lunchtime Live is going to be highlighting some great Irish businesses that you can support this festive season.Today, we’re focusing on toys kids may want to put on their lists to Santa.To discuss, Andrea is joined by Creator of the ‘30 Seconds’ board game Greg Dooley, Owner and CEO of Jiminy Toys Bobbi Cotter, Shop Manager of Cogs Toys & Games Alan Condon and Founder of The Toy Factory Giorgia Anile.

Welcome to The Pod Squad!We review podcasts every week so you always have something new to listen to.Host of the ‘What’s Trending in F1?’ podcast Elaine Power and Newstalk’s Laura Donnelly join Andrea to review ‘Stockton Street: Venus and Serena Williams’!Image: fwd.

Ireland’s maternity system is set for one of its biggest shake-ups in decades, as plans to phase out private maternity care begin to take shape. The move is aimed at creating a fairer, more consistent experience for expectant mothers, but has sparked mixed reactions from clinicians and patients.Supporters say it will streamline services and reduce inequality, while critics warn it removes the choice that many women want…So, what do you think?Joining Andrea to discuss is Tara Whelan, Founder of Resilient Emotions, Dr Krysia Lynch, Chairperson for the Association for Improvements in Maternity Services in Ireland, Journalist Chrissie Russell and listeners.

For this week’s Ask Me Anything, Impressionist Al Foran joins Andrea to answer any of your questions around comedy and impressions!

‘Moulin Rouge! The Musical’ is running at Bord Gáis Energy Theatre from November 2025 to January 11.Joining Andrea to discuss is Tony and Academy Award–nominated Playwright, Screenwriter, and Producer behind the show, John Logan!

A new ad from the Data Protection Commission has received quite a bit of attention online.If you haven't seen it yet, basically it depicts a young girl with parents on her birthday. Strangers around her start wishing her happy birthday, with them having knowledge of her personal information such as where she attends school.It has showcased to many the risks of sharing personal information about your children online…So, do we need more attention put on this topic?Joining Andrea to discuss is Katie Makk, Presenter and Producer of the ‘Opinions Matter’ podcast, children's book writer Anne Marie O’Sullivan, Psychotherapist Bethan O’Riordan and Siobhan O’Neill White of mams.ie.

Comedian and writer Joanne McNally recently spoke on how people treat her solely based on her strong accent, particularly men…Should we ever judge people by their accents?Joining Andrea to discuss is Newstalk Reporter, Sarah Madden and Dr. Stephen Lucek, Assistant Professor in Linguistics in UCD.

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

A horrific killing of a stag occurred in Newbridge House in Donnabate in the early hours of Wednesday morning. The stag, who was 8 years old, was one of 16 Irish red deer. The herd were kept fenced in for more than two decades as they are a protected species.The stag’s head was decapitated. and there is no doubt that it was a trophy kill.Nearby residents are shocked at the incident and have said nothing like this has ever happened before.What do we need to do to prevent animal cruelty like this happening?Joining Andrea to discuss is local Cllr Eoghan Dockrell, Co-Founder of My Lovely Horse Rescue Martina Kenny and John Tierney from the Association of Hunt Saboteurs.

December is around the corner, so it might be time to get your house ready for the festive season if you haven’t already…This week, the Home Squad are here to discuss Christmas decorations!Joining guest host Anna Daly 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).

With Thanksgiving on today, how is the holiday celebrated in Ireland?It’s not a traditional Irish celebration, but American expats, returning emigrants, and a growing number of locals have embraced it in their own way; from turkey dinners in Dublin to small community gatherings around the country…Joining guest host Anna Daly to discuss is Vice Chair of Democrats Abroad, Patti Shields, Eoin Heneghan, co-owner of the Merry Ploughman and listeners.

Bank of Ireland has announced a new pilot loan that could make it easy to trade down to a smaller home.Would you consider downsizing if the process was made simpler - or is your house your forever home? And how would it impact the market in a housing crisis?Guest host Anna Daly is joined by listeners to discuss…

For people who have ADHD, many of the biggest challenges faced by them is time management. To help people to tackle this, ADHD Ireland have set up a new six-week program. The program will help people with ADHD meet deadlines on certain projects and assignments they may have.Joining guest host Anna Daly to discuss is Martin Finn from ADHD Ireland and Amy Fox ,who has a lived experience with ADHD, to talk about how important this program is for people.

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 guest host Anna Daly to discuss is Head Tour Guide at the Irish Rock ‘N’ Roll Museum Experience, Alan Buckley, who’s going to talk through Joni Mitchell’s album ‘Blue’!

A group of residents in Ranelagh have launched a legal challenge against the construction of the MetroLink in their area - further putting pressure on the project, and potentially delaying it even further. Should a legal challenge be allowed for large projects like these?Guest host Anna Daly to discuss is Hazel Chu, Green Party Spokesperson for Public Expenditure and Dublin City Councillor, Duncan Smith, Labour Party Whip and Fingal East TD, as well as listeners.

According to research, teens who start using cannabis before age 15 are more likely to use the drug often later in their lives.They are also more likely to develop mental and physical health problems in young adulthood compared to their peers who did not use the drug in adolescence…So, what are the long-term effects of early cannabis use?Joining guest host Anna Daly to discuss is Professor Colin O’Gara, Addiction Psychiatrist at St John of Gods Hospital & Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at UCD, Declan Keenan, Youth Worker in the Northeast Inner City and Nikki Hayes, DJ and Broadcaster.

Lunchtime Live's Reasons to be Happy looks at some of the news stories that you might have missed that will leave you feeling more optimistic.98FM’s Cathal O’Sullivan joined guest host Anna Daly in the studio to put a smile on your faces…

The Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, David Lamy, has drawn up proposals for all Jury trials except for the most serious crimes such as rape, murder and manslaughter to be scrapped.Is that something we should do here? Or would it have a negative impact on the justice system?Joining guest host Anna Daly to discuss is Ronan Lupton, Barrister and Senior Counsel, as well as listeners.

Every Wednesday afternoon, we’ll be talking Making Babies.Professor Shane Higgins, Master of the National Maternity Hospital, joins 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 guest host Anna Daly to discuss the differences between public, private and semi-private care…