Highlights From Lunchtime Live

It’s a difficult time to keep a restaurant afloat, leading to menus that are playing it too safe and a feeling that no matter where you go, you’re eating the same stuff.That’s according to Restaurant Critic Katy McGuinness in her latest review for the Irish Independent.So, have restaurants become too similar? Katy joins Andrea, along with Conor Spacey, Culinary Director of Food Space and author of ‘Wasted’.

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 Radiohead’s ‘OK Computer’!

When pensions were covered on the show, there were huge reactions from listeners - showing that the demand is there to know more about saving for your future.So, we’ve decided to break it down into three parts, over the next three days.We’ll discuss the various different stages of your pension – and what you need to know or do at each point.Today, Andrea is joined by Co-Founder and Head of Financial advice for Moneycube, Ralph Benson, to discuss getting started!

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 Andrea in the studio to put a smile on your faces…

After an attack on a young girl occurred in Citywest on Monday evening, protesters took to the streets to express their feelings. It comes after the Citywest hotel has been used as an IPAS center to house refugees.The protests soon turned into riots, and a Garda car was set alight, Gardaí were out in force to control the situation.We want to know your opinions on the riots. Were you there, were you impacted, and do these riots hold any merit?Andrea is joined by local residents, Conor Lally, Security and Crime Editor with the Irish Times and John Lahart, Fianna Fail TD for Dublin Southwest & Chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade. Later, to discuss if more should have been done to stop it, she is joined by Newstalk’s Chief Reporter Barry Whyte, James Morrisroe, GRA Deputy General Secretary and Cllr Linda de Courcy, Independent Ireland.

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 cervical smear.

In today's digital age, where our lives seem glued to our phones, you might question the relevance of sending greeting cards.But, do they still hold a special place in our hearts?Joining Andrea to discuss is Writer Amanda Brunker and Terry Prone, Chairman of the Communications Clinic.

For this week’s Ask the Expert, Andrea is joined by Managing Director of Insuremyhouse.ie, Jonathan Hehir, to answer all your house insurance questions.

S Club Seven star Rachel Stevens has opened up about ‘still grieving’ her marriage, three years after the divorce. Andrea was joined by listeners who shared their thoughts about 'grieving' past relationships.

Andrea was joined by Meghann Scully, Presenter of Newstalk's 28 Ways to Save the World, and by listeners to discuss whether Halloween has become too wasteful.

Andrea was joined by Valerie Martin,Sharon Maguire and Dr. John Caird to discuss the importance of knowing the signs of Brain tumours.

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 Louise Melinn, project coordinator with Fighting Words in Dublin to discuss creative writing...

Andrea was joined by listeners who gave their say on whether STEM subjects should be Compulsory in Schools.

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

Running has seen a boom in popularity recently, as people have taken it up not only for its health benefits, but for the social element as well.Many runners use smartwatch technology combined with fitness apps to track their progress, but is this leading to an obsession with stats that takes away from the actual fun of running?Joining Andrea to discuss is Dwayne Edgar, Founder of Inner City Running Club and Laura Burke, online fitness and nutrition coach.

Tomorrow, Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan is to seek Cabinet approval for a Domestic Violence Register to be established.‘Jennie’s Law’ will allow those convicted of domestic violence against a partner or former partner, to be publicly named on a Register of Judgements.The law has been named in honour of Jennifer Poole, who was murdered by her ex-partner Gavin Murphy in 2021.Kathleen Correia joins Andrea to discuss…If you were affected by this segment in any way, Women's Aid have a 24 hour National Freephone Helpline: 1800 341 900.

The Health Department announced their long-awaited three-year plan for the treatment of endometriosis over the weekend.For those who don’t know, endometriosis is a disease that affects women, where tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows instead on other parts of the body.This can lead to patients suffering from chronic, debilitating pain…So, what is in this plan, and is it good enough?Joining Andrea to discuss is Damien Donoghue. Chairperson of Endo Ireland, Dr Hugh O’Connor, Consultant gynaecologist with the Coombe Hospital, as well as listeners.

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 Ciaran Bradley  join Andrea to review ‘Elis James and John Robins’!Image: BBC

Many aspiring homeowners have been facing multiple challenges. The lack of housing and high costs have left people with no other choice but to look for more affordable housing in different areas across the country. This, however, also has its challenges. One of the major factors limiting potential homeowners are ‘Local Needs’.‘Local Needs’ are where a person cannot build a property if they do not have a local need in that area. Should this be the case, or should it be scrapped to tackle the housing crisis?To discuss, Andrea is joined by Laura Nolan, Professional Dancer from Dancing with the Stars, her partner Matthew McNabb, Town Planner Derek Whyte, Clement Herron from Clement Herron Real Estate and former IFA Deputy, Brian Rushe.

For this week’s Ask Me Anything, Pitch Manager of Croke Park, Stuart Wilson, joins Andrea to answer any of your pitch managing questions!