Highlights From Lunchtime Live

This is Lunchtime Live’s Big Batch. Every Monday we’ll be learning new easy to cook batch recipes to keep you eating well. No more staring into an open fridge looking for inspiration!This week, Andrea is joined by Adrian Martin, owner of the Wild Flower Bistro in Temple Bar to look at the different kinds of bread you can batch cook!Follow the hashtag #LLBigBatch for all our recipes.

If you are a Dublin Bus user you might notice that, today, they are introducing new private security to curb anti-social behaviour on their service. The 20-week pilot will comprise two dedicated mobile units: one on Dublin’s southside and another on the northside.What do you think? Security on our buses, is it needed?Andrea is joined by listeners to discuss.

Every Friday, as part of our ‘Ask Me Anything’ series, we put your questions to people from interesting backgrounds or working in different careers.This week, Adrian Kennedy was joined by naturist Kate Turner from the Irish Naturist Association to answer your questions.

There was very sad news today about a five week old baby that was found unresponsive after he had been carried around in a sling by his mother.It’s sure to worry a lot of parents today who own slings – and might be afraid to use them from now on…Adrian Kennedy is joined by Dr Afif El-Khuffash, Consultant Neonatologist and Paediatrician to discuss how to use one.

In a bold new effort to tackle New York City's infamous pest problem, city officials have approved a pilot programme that aims to control the rodent population with birth control.Starting next year, contraceptive pellets will be placed in rat-friendly traps in a section of Manhattan. Once ingested, it will make them infertile.What do you think about this approach? Is it something that might work here?Adrian Kennedy is joined by Éanna Ní Lamhna, Broadcaster and author, Trevor Hayden from Complete Pest Control and more to discuss.

A new horror sequel, Terrifier 3, was screened in the UK this week. Cinema goers were apparently left ‘traumatised’, with walkouts and one person even vomiting in the cinema.But, why do we put ourselves through such terror?To discuss, Adrian Kennedy is joined by Entertainment Journalist Rory Cashin, Dr Sarah Cleary, who holds a PhD in horror from Trinity and Psychiatrist Brendan Kelly.

From the spice bag to a mammoth endurance challenge, Ellen Butler from Newstalk’s News Team joins Adrian Kennedy with stories from around the country this week.

Ryanair passengers will soon have no option but to use the Ryanair app on their phone as the company announced they will be going paperless in the next few months.Ryanair Chief Executive Michael O’Leary said: “Everybody who travels with us has the app, the mobile boarding pass is on the app and we’ve got to move more and more people that way.”It is expected that the paper boarding pass will be scrapped by April or May next year.What do you think about this approach?Guest host Adrian Kennedy is joined by Rory King from Rory’s Travel Club and listeners to discuss.

To big light, or not to big light – the age old debate! For this week’s Home Squad, Jenny Sheahan, Irish Examiner Columnist and former winner of ‘Home of the Year’ and Emma Delaney, Senior Interior Designer from April & the Bear join Andrea to give advice on how to create atmosphere through lighting.

James Blunt has vowed to legally change his name to whatever fans choose if his album reaches number 1 in the charts!It’s the latest in a long line of stunts by artists to get attention.Alan Buckley, Head Tour Guide at the Irish Rock ‘N’ Roll Museum Experience joins Andrea to look back over some of the big ones.

Irish Rail released a new timetable in late August, and it seems to have caused nothing but issues since…They apologised for the impact on commuters a few weeks ago, and are due to release a new timetable to fix the problems.Have you been affected?Andrea is joined by Barry Kenny from Irish Rail, Labour Councillor Corina Johnston and listeners who have been impacted to discuss.

Following yesterday’s coverage of inheritance tax changes from the budget in the show, Andrew McCann, Author of ‘Know your Rights’, emailed in with his situation of a blended family.He joins Andrea to discuss more.

From James Bond hitting our screens to the Thrilla in Manila fight, Ciaran O’Connor from 98fm joins Andrea Gilligan to rewind the clock!

The annual state grant to the horseracing and greyhound industries has increased by €4.1 million to €99.1 million for 2025: the highest the fund has reached in its 23 years of existence.The funding will be split between the two sports in an 80:20 ratio, €79.28m will go to Horse Racing Ireland, with €19.82m for Greyhound Racing Ireland, the governing bodies for the two industries.What do you think about the Government giving funds to the tune of almost 100 million to horse and greyhound racing?Andrea is joined by Johnny Ward from Off the Ball’s Racing Pod, Nuala Donlon from Greyhound Action Ireland, Damien Matthews, Chairman of the Irish Greyhound Owners & Breeders Federation and more to discuss.

For this week’s Ask the Expert, Andrea Gilligan is joined by Frank McGrath, Hearing Aid Audiologist with Ear Care Clinics, to answer all of your hearing-related questions!

It’s International Coffee Day this week!Technically it was yesterday, but with Budget day overshadowing things, it seemed right to still celebrate!But, do we know enough about the stuff we’re consuming every day?Andrea is joined by James McCormack, CEO of the Dublin Barista School and Heather Leeson, Registered Nutritional Therapist with Glenville Nutrition.

The amount that a person can receive as a gift or inheritance from a relation before having to pay Capital Acquisitions Tax will be increased as part of Budget 2025.Inheritance tax, which is technically known as the Capital Acquisitions Tax (CAT), is a tax of 33% on gifts and inheritances which kicks in at a particular limit. It does not have to be paid if the inheritance does not reach this limit.The threshold when inheritance tax must be paid has been increased from €335,000 to €400,000 for children. Is this fair?Andrea is joined by Jean Cashman, Registered Tax Consultant, Rowena Quinn, Managing Partner at Hunters Estate Agent and listeners to discuss.

‘Anyone else find friendship in their 40s hard?’ – so asked Journalist Niamh O’Reilly as she scribbled on the wall of a bathroom cubicle!Niamh joins Andrea as well as other listeners to discuss why she wrote that.

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.Ciara Treacy, Newstalk’s Digital Content Creator, joined Andrea this week to share all the things to make you smile!

Earlier on Newstalk, Home Show Presenter Sinead Ryan spoke about being a Godparent despite not being religious, and whether or not that matters. What do you think?  Should you have to be religious to be a Godparent?Andrea is joined by listeners including Anne Marie McAuley, Wedding and Family Celebrant to discuss.