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Newstalk
Andrea Gilligan invites callers to have their say on the topics of the day - get in touch by emailing lunchtimelive@newstalk.com Listen and subscribe to Lunchtime Live on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.CONVERSATION THAT COUNTS | Ireland’s national independent talk station for news, sport, analysis and entertainmentListen to Newstalk at http://newstalk.com/listenlive | Download the GoLoud app now, the new home for Newstalk
Episodes
Mentioned books

Feb 4, 2026 • 10min
Why are Gen Z having less sex then previous generations ?
A study has revealed one of the reasons that Gen Z are having less sex than previous generations – they are simply too tired. 70% say they have less energy than their parents, with 26% saying they are too tired to do the deed. Joining Andrea was Irish Examiner Columnist Jane Cowan, Saoirse Hanley, Features Writer at the Irish Independent and Emily Power Smith, Sexologist

Feb 4, 2026 • 8min
Reasons to be Happy: Derelict Aran Island hotel to reopen, Translating human speech into dog language and the Six Nations is back!
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…

Feb 4, 2026 • 26min
Who is going to mind them ? Elderly parents caring for adult children with disabilities worry about their future without them.
Many parents around the country are in a nightmare situation as they look ahead to what happens to their children when they pass away. For the 2,000 older parents who have adult children with intellectual disabilities and are caring for them daily, they are left with little to no resources...Tony Murray doesn’t know what will happen to his daughter Aoife. The Founder of the Before We Die Campaign joined Andrea to share his family's story. Andrea was also joined by Sinead, who has two adult children.

Feb 4, 2026 • 10min
Making Babies: What to do if your baby requires Neonatal care ?
The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit can be a scary place for parents to find themselves in, but what actually happens in there?Dr Lisa McCarthy – Consultant Neonatologist joined Andrea to discuss.

Feb 4, 2026 • 13min
Donegal cancer patients at risk of losing vital access to care as Dublin flight service due for renewal
Cancer patients in Donegal are at risk of losing the same day Dublin flight service, as the Donegal-Dublin PSO contract is due for renewal at the end of February. A campaign has been launched to preserve the service, as any proposed changes could make same-day return travel impossible. The service has been described as a lifeline, not a luxury, and it’s removal would leave cancer patients to accrue extra costs through overnight stays and extra travel. Andrea was joined by Bríd Sweeney, Donegal native and Mary Coyle.

Feb 4, 2026 • 22min
Schools to be forced to publish voluntary contribution spending. Are parents paying too much ?
For many years, parents have been asked to pay voluntary contributions to their children’s schools. Although described as “voluntary”, many parents feel under pressure to pay these contributions each year.In many cases, parents have made these payments without being fully aware of how the money is used.Minister for Education Hildegarde Naughton is now set to bring forward plans for a new statutory charter aimed at strengthening accountability in schools. Under the proposed rules, schools will be required to inform parents of the total amount raised through voluntary financial contributions and to clearly outline how this money is spent. Andrea was joined by Wen Loughman Freelance writer, Noel Loftus Principal of St. Attracta's National School in Roscommon and Jen Hogan Irish Times Journalist and host of the Conversations with Parents Podcast, to discuss this move and whether parents are contributing too much.

Feb 3, 2026 • 15min
Ask the Expert: Mechanic
Nothing puts the fear of God in me quite like a light coming on on my dashboard when I’m driving.Followed by absolute confusion and probably a hefty bill from my mechanic.So, what can we be doing to keep our cars in good nick? Or what can we even fix ourselves?To answer your questions, Andrea was joined by Joey Donnelly, Crofton Motors

Feb 3, 2026 • 8min
The Psychology Behind that messy drawer of yours.
We all have one, a messy drawer where we shove things in to get them out of the way...So what is the psychology behind a messy drawer?Does everyone have one?And should we be taking time to clear ours out and feel lighter as a result?Andrea was joined by Professional Organiser, Vera Keohane and Professor of Psychiatry at Trinity College Dublin Brendan Kelly...

Feb 3, 2026 • 20min
Is the Re-turn scheme causing littering in our towns and cities ?
The Deposit Return Scheme has encouraged many people to recycle plastic bottles in order to reclaim their deposit. With return machines now available in grocery stores across the country, the initiative has made it easier for people to return bottles and receive their money back.However, the scheme has also caused disruption across Dublin City, as some individuals have begun overturning public bins in search of discarded bottles to earn money.While the scheme was introduced to increase recycling rates, it has instead highlighted an unintended consequence, creating new challenges for the city. Listeners joined Andrea to discuss the Re-turn scheme and whether it has resulted in unintended consequences

Feb 3, 2026 • 8min
How I Live Well: Looking after our Hormones and Thyroid
It's How I live well time! Where someone joins to discuss what they do to improve their life...Professor Mary Ryan, Endocrinologist joined Andrea this week for For our How I Live Well, to talk about the thyroid- what does it do? And when can it go wrong?


