Lunchtime Live

Big Brother is back, and this year, they want you! Big Brother bosses are keen for Irish contestants to apply. If you’ve got a big personality and aren’t afraid to be watched 24/7, this could be your moment.

Andrea is joined by Ray Shah, former Big Brother Contestant, to discuss the application process, and what it’s really like inside the house.

Businessman Denis O’Brien has blasted working from home as “...a load of nonsense”.

He claimed Ireland’s reputation as a place to do business is at risk, and working from home is now a threat to the economy, because it has caused a loss of competitiveness, energy, creativity and ideas.

What do you think? Should we all be returning to the office?

Joining Andrea to discuss is Neil McDonnell, CEO of ISME, Laura Bambrick, Social Policy Officer with the Irish Congress of Trade Unions and Larissa Feeney, CEO of Kinore.

An investigation has found that many children in Ireland may have undergone unnecessary hip surgeries at Children's Health Ireland…

The probe could stretch back 15 years, raising serious questions about oversight, ethics, and patient safety.

Joining Andrea to discuss this is Leader of Aontú, Peadar Tóibín and some of those affected.

For this week’s Ask the Expert, Andrea is joined by Dr. Justin Roche, Consultant Paediatrician at The National Tongue Tie Centre, to explain what tongue tie is, how it affects babies, and what can be done about it.

While you will no doubt be cheering on Norwegian singer Emmy who will be representing Ireland at the Eurovision semi finals on Thursday – there will be no harm in bopping to Croatia’s entry ‘Poison Cake’ appearing in the first leg of the semi-finals from Switzerland tonight. 

That is because the song was co-written by Balbriggan school teacher and singer-songwriter Ben Pyne, who joins Andrea to discuss! 98fm’s Russell Alford also joins to discuss Ireland’s chances.

The Vintners Federation of Ireland has called for a 40% rebate in excise on pints of beer sold in pubs.

They say a rebate on draught beers would help protect rural pubs as the sector struggles with high costs.

What do you think?

Should rural pubs be given a tax rebate?

Andrea is joined by listeners to discuss.

Petmania Pet Store is hosting their inaugural ‘Ruby Heart Awards’ in which, among other categories, they will honour pet-friendly workplaces.

One of the suggestions of how a workplace might be more pet-friendly includes offering employees pet bereavement leave.

What do you think?

Should businesses offer so-called ‘pet-ernity leave’?

Caroline Reidy, Managing Director of the HR Suite, and HR & Employment Law Expert, Declan O’Keefe from Dec’s Pets, a pet care retailer in Wexford as well as listeners join Andrea to discuss.

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 General Secretary of the Gaelic 4 Mothers & Others in Ranelagh Anne, Marie Genin, as well as player Monika Kurowska Tazbir. It’s a fun, non-competitive way for women to get active, meet new people, and enjoy Gaelic Football, no matter their skill level!

Dr Niall Breen from the Portmarnock GP Clinic joined Andrea Gilligan to tackle your medical queries.

Kanye West’s track ‘Heil Hitler’ was swiftly removed from major streaming platforms in recent days, raising questions about censorship, platform responsibility, and the limits of artistic expression.

Joining Andrea to discuss this is Alan Buckley, Head Tour Guide at the Irish Rock ‘n’ Roll Museum and Dave Hanratty, Podcast Producer at the Independent and Host of the ‘No Encore’ Podcast.