Highlights From Lunchtime Live

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 98fm’s Russell Alford join Andrea Gilligan to review ‘The Ex Files’!Image: Global

A listener has reached out to the show to express their frustration over ongoing delays to the move-in date for a newly purchased home in Sligo. Their experience raises questions about the roles and responsibilities of key stakeholders, such as ESB, Irish Water, developers and estate agents in setting, and repeatedly missing, realistic delivery timelines…Peter and Fiona join Andrea to discuss.

It’s time for some summer memories!We chat to some well known names and faces and reminisce over those long summer days.Broadcaster and Dancing with the Stars Judge Brian Redmond joins Andrea to reminisce!

Over 82,00 fans will be in Croke Park this Sunday to watch the All-Ireland final, but how does the stadium operate on All-Ireland final day? How many meals will be served? How many pints will be poured and who gets the pitch perfectly ready?Andrea went to find out!

Donegal take on Kerry in this weekend’s All Ireland Senior Football Final.Donegal haven’t won the all-Ireland since 2012, and Kerry took home the Sam Maguire in 2022…But, who will claim the silverware on Sunday?Joining Andrea to discuss is Eamon McGee, 2012 All-Ireland winner with Donegal, Jack O'Shea, member of the Kerry Senior Football Team from 1976 until 1992, Tony Boyle, former Donegal Player, Mortimer Murphy, Freelance Sports journalist, Broadcaster, GAA Podcaster and Mary Coughlan, Chair of Donegal County Board and former Tánaiste.

From WWII movie filming to Limerick being the home of Halloween, Breakfast Briefing Presenter Shane Beatty joins Andrea Gilligan with plenty of stories from around the country this week!

With the All-Ireland football final taking place this Sunday. We want to know which county is not only better on the pitch but off the pitch. To determine this our Kerry and Donegal supporters will go head-to-head in our county quiz.Who will be victorious?Joining Andrea to compete are Donegal representatives Presenter of Newstalk Daily Ciara Doherty & Digtal Content Creator Michéal Brennan and representing team Kerry is Off the Ball’s Eoin Sheahan and Freelance journalist Edaein O'Connell.

In the upcoming budget, the government is looking to follow France and implement a weight tax on SUVs.Owners of these heavy vehicles will be penalized for having bigger cars. Is this unfair to those who depend on these larger vehicles to get around?Joining Andrea to discuss is Editor of Complete Cars.ie, Shane O’Donoghue, Director General of the Society of the Irish Motor Industry, Brian Cook and listeners.

If the kitchen is starting to look a bit old-fashioned, it might be time to give it an upgrade.The Home Squad are here to talk about kitchen renovations!Joining Andrea to discuss is Jenny Sheehan, Irish Examiner Columnist and former winner of ‘Home of the Year’ (@workerscottage on Instagram) & Kate O’Driscoll, @victorianrathmines on Instagram.

Fitness Instructor Donna Dunne got in touch with the show about a harrowing holiday experience, and how travel insurance may not make up for it…She joins Andrea to explain, with Consumer Journalist Siobhan Maguire also joining to discuss.

An announcement has been made to consumers not to eat ready-made meals that have been recently bought in supermarkets due to a listeria outbreak.The contamination of these meals has led to an urgent recall after one adult has died following a confirmed case of listeria infection.With many people living busy lives and turning to these meals as a healthy dinner on the go, can we rely on these ready-made meals in future, or are we better off cooking from scratch?Joining Andrea to discuss is Dr Maire Finn, GP from Ennis Centric Health, Registered Dietitian and Presenter with Today FM Shelly Gray, Adrian Martin, Chef and owner of Wild Flower restaurant in Blackrock and Butcher and owner of Kerrigan's Craft Butchers, Barry Kerrigan.

A listener got in touch with the show this week, frustrated by how complicated the process of setting up power of attorney in Ireland can be. But, what exactly is that?Rebecca Rodgers and Áine Hynes, Senior Counsel at St.John Solicitors joins to discuss.

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 Sinéad O’Connor’s ‘The Lion and the Cobra’!

Debs season is officially underway, with young people celebrating finishing secondary school.But, just how many students are pressured into taking drugs at their debs?Joining Andrea to discuss is Jacqueline Hogge, Rural Affairs Journalist in Irish Country Living, Michael Guerin, Addiction Therapist in Limerick, Alan McCardle, Managing Director of DebsIreland.com and listeners.

The family of a 67 year old woman with a rare disease living in a Cork nursing home have been told to remove her because of their “troubling conduct” after they raised serious concerns about her care.Carol-Ann Murphy developed a rare, but devastating neurological condition about 10 years ago.Her son, Andrew Murphy and his wife Jennifer join me on the line today.Andrew can you take me back before the diagnosis and tell me a bit about your mum...

“Think you know Spain? Think again.”That’s a slogan from a Turespaña campaign this year. It encourages tourists to embrace slower travel in Spain, visiting its “unknown and surprising destinations”.So, why do we go back to the same holiday destinations every year?Joining Andrea to discuss is Sarah Slattery, owner of Travel Expert.ie and Mark Fennel, Life Coach.

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…

Every Wednesday afternoon, we’ll be talking Making Babies.This week, Andrea is joined by Dr Anthony Rafferty, Medical Doctor & Shamanic Healer at Intuitive Health and Patricia Cullen, Founder & Ultrasonographer at OvaScan to discuss if holistic practices can assist in pregnancy at all.

Sad news last night as Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne, passed away at the age of 76.He had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2019…Joining Andrea to look back on the life of this legendary rockstar is Tabby O'Callaghan, former XFactor contestant and Claire Beck from Today FM.Image: Reuters

The Government plans to allocate €1.5 billion for tax cuts in the upcoming October Budget, but €1 billion of that will go toward reducing VAT for restaurants, bars, and cafés from 13.5% to 9%.Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe confirmed the measure aims to support the struggling hospitality sector. However, it leaves just €500 million for all other tax measures.These new plans will significantly be limiting the potential for personal tax cuts at a time when households continue to feel the pressure of the cost-of-living crisis.Joining Andrea to discuss is Deputy General Secretary Responsibility Private Sector, Greg Ennis, as well as business owners and listeners.