Lunchtime Live

More and more people have been house and pet sitting to avoid high rent prices across Ireland.

There has been a steady increase in people opting for this since 2022, and so far in 2025, more than 7,000 house and pet sits globally have been for longer than 29 days.

Joining Andrea to discuss this is Aoife CodyKane, a Freelance Journalist who has been housesitting for almost a year. Also joining to discuss is Aleksandra Schmidt, Creative Director and Photographer and Suzi Walsh, Pet Behavior Expert.

Welcome to The Pod Squad!

We review podcasts every week so you always have something new to listen to.

Newstalk’s Ellen Butler and Rory Galvin join Andrea Gilligan to review ‘Sea of Lies’!

Image: CBC

A small black pouch, containing a mirror, razor blade, snorting tube, vial and metal spoon can be bought on Talbot Street in Dublin to help people to take cocaine.

The ‘snuff kit’ which costs 18 euro is one of the many drugs paraphernalia that can be bought in store.

With products like this being so widely accessible across the city center, it is no surprise that drug use is on the rise and why we see so many people taking these drugs in open spaces.

Should paraphernalia like this be banned, and do we need to clamp down on drug use in general across the country?

Joining Andrea to discuss is Chrisy, former drug squad officer, as well as listeners.

For this week’s Ask Me Anything, Franks Greaney, Newstalk's Court Correspondent and host of ‘Inside the Crime’ joins Andrea to answer any of your court coverage questions!

Ronan Keating has revealed Boyzone will “try” to reunite in 2026.

Speaking on BBC Radio 2, Ronan Keating says the bandmates have all been chatting over the last few weeks, and  2026 might be a year for Boyzone to "maybe try and do something…"

So, do you want to see the group get back together?

Andrea is joined by Mikie O’Loughlin, RSVP Magazine Showbiz Editor and Showbiz Editor for the Sunday World Eddie Rowley to discuss.

Dr Asif Iqbal, a Pakistani Doctor, was attacked on his way to his shift in the Emergency Department - being told to “go back home”...

He joins Andrea to discuss what happened.

Are you one of those really early risers?

The smug ones doing yoga on a green somewhere at half 5 in the morning?

What possesses you?

Joining Andrea to discuss is Greg Walsh, Yoga Instructor with Temple Bar Yoga, Sports and Exercise Scientist from Mulligainz Fitness, Oisin Mulligan and listeners.

From GAA club bottle collecting to a festival for hot air ballooning, Breakfast Briefing Presenter Shane Beatty joins Andrea Gilligan with plenty of stories from around the country this week!

Minister Patrick O’Donovan has called for the VAT not to be cut to 9% in the 2026 Budget for hotels. It comes after he said, “hotels are robbing people up to the eyeballs”.

With concerts as big as Taylor Swift and Oasis bringing fans in their drones, hotels are being accused of price gouging.

Do you agree with the Minister? Should hotels be entitled to a VAT cut?

Joining Andrea to discuss is Director of Skylon Hotel in Dublin, Michael Lennon, Owner of the Lansdowne Hotel in Kenmare, Aeleen Hanley as well as listeners.

How do you choose colour in your home? When do you go bold, how does colour impact a space and everything in between?

Well, the Home Squad are here to talk about picking the right colour for you!

Joining guest host Mairead Ronan to discuss is Róisín Lafferty, Founder & Creative Director of Róisín Lafferty Design House and Sarah Carroll (@sand.and.deliver on Instagram).