Lunchtime Live

Are we (literally) lost without our phones?

Are we relying too much on Google Maps to get us from A to B in the car; which doesn't always bring us the best way?

Two weeks ago, Mountain Rescue England and Wales published figures showing a record number of annual callouts; are we lost in every sense of the word without access to GPS?

Joining Andrea to discuss is Editor at completecar.ie, Shane O’Donoghue, as well as listeners.

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 Knitting Teacher from ‘Knit with Helen’, Helen Crawford, to talk about all the benefits to gain from knitting!

Kneecap have apologised to the families of two former British MPs who were murdered in recent years, and said they do not support Hamas or Hezbollah, after videos from past gigs came to the attention of police and politicians.

The Belfast rap group released a statement after a video appeared to show a member shouting “up Hamas, up Hezbollah”, while the other appeared to show a member saying: “The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP”.

Kneecap took the opportunity to also criticise what they describe as a “smear campaign” against them over their support for Palestine.

They wrote: “Establishment figures, desperate to silence us, have combed through hundreds of hours of footage and interviews, extracting a handful of words from months or years ago to manufacture moral hysteria”.

What are your thoughts on this? Was Kneecap right to apologise?

Andrea is joined by Alan Buckley, Head Tour Guide at the Irish Rock ‘N’ Roll Museum Experience, as well as listeners, to discuss.

Image: Kneecap

Dr Nina Byrnes, GP at Generation Health Medical Clinic joined Andrea Gilligan to tackle your medical queries…

He may be legally and constitutionally barred from serving a third term in office, but that hasn't stopped Donald Trump putting ‘TRUMP 2028’ red caps on sale. His online store crashed due to the demand.

Will the power of merchandising shape the narrative, and no matter how impossible, will TRUMP 2028 be an inescapable force for the next few years?

Joining Andrea to discuss is Lorraine Carter from Persona Branding & Design and Professor Scott Lucas, Professor of American Studies and International Politics at University College Dublin.

Image: Trump Store

As rail fare and zonal adjustments come into effect today from Irish Rail, including Leap Cards becoming available over a wider area, we’re asking the question: should we be trialing free travel?  

Joining Andrea to discuss is Conor Reddy, People Before Profit Councilor for Ballymun-Finglas, Gary Marshall, Committee Member of Dublin Commuters, Lochlann Gallagher, Chair of Galway Commuters Coalition and Travel Writer Melanie May.

Clare and Limerick are teaming up in a bid to host EuroPride, Europe's most significant LGBT+ event, in 2028.

If they are successful, Ireland would play host to the international event for the first time, which attracts around 100,000 visitors from around the world.

Amongst those steering the West of Ireland bid for EuroPride 2028 is Bernie O’Gorman, Chair of QuareClare, Lisa Daly from Limerick Pride and Eddie McGuinness, Director and Founder of The Outing Queer Arts Collective and Festival.

They join Andrea to discuss!

Welcome to The Pod Squad!

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

Today FM’s Shelly Gray and 98fm’s Russell Alford join Andrea to review ‘Good Hang’!

Image: The Ringer

Should Gardaí receive financial assistance to purchase homes given the current housing crisis?

Members of the Gardaí Representative Association at their annual conference today will debate a motion to call on the Government to introduce an “enhanced scheme” to allow Gardaí to purchase homes using State assistance.

What do you think about this idea?

Could it help with recruitment and retention of rank-and-file Gardaí?

Should subsidised housing be something that is made available for all civil servants?

Joining Andrea to discuss is Tara McManus, Assistant General Secretary of the Garda Representative Association, Eoin Dolan, Principal of Mother of Divine Grace National School in Finglas, Ray Cooke, CEO of Ray Cooke Auctioneers and listeners.

For this week’s Ask Me Anything, Philip Thornton from the DCU Caving Club joins Andrea to answer any of your questions when it comes to being a caver!