Lunchtime Live

Dozens of children requiring spinal surgeries will be offered an opportunity to get their treatment overseas by the Department of Health.

It is understood a number of outsourcing agreements are being finalised and families will have their accommodation and flights organised and paid for by the Department.

Health Minister Stephen Donnelly flew to the United States in the past week to meet directly with clinicians and inspect hospitals.

Andrea is joined by families who may potentially avail of this treatment, as well as those with previous experiences, to discuss.

From creating a space for your dog to chill to fixing your furniture after pets have misbehaved – the Home Squad are here to talk about pet proofing your home! 

Andrea Gilligan is joined by Jennifer Sheahan, Irish Examiner Columnist and former winner of ‘Home of the Year’ and Hayley Burke, AKA ‘The DIYist’.

Last week Singer Nathan Carter received some backlash after performing in Castlerea Prison - but not to the inmates. However, one man wants to make it up to them… Mattress Mick!

He joins Andrea, as well as Newstalk’s Henry McKean, to discuss.

Character references have long been a contentious issue in Ireland, but President Michael D Higgins has signed the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Human Trafficking) Bill 2023, which is set to change the way character references are treated. 

The bill means that people who give character references for sexual offenders can now be cross-examined in court.

To discuss, Andrea Gilligan is joined by Ciara Mangan, sexual assault survivor and Advocate, Natasha O’Brien assault victim and advocate and Mary Crilly, Founder of the Sexual Violence Centre Cork and Safe Gigs.

An article in the Irish Independent writes:

‘The weeks and months after a new baby is born are a vulnerable time for new parents, and while you may not wish to cause offence, well-intentioned, but ill-advised remarks, can land like a lead balloon…‘

What are the things you should never say to a new parent?

Andrea is joined by Siobhan O’Neill White from Mams.ie and other parents to discuss.

It's Throwback Thursday! Where we look back on things that happened this week in history. 98fm’s Ciaran O’Connor is back after his wedding! He joins Andrea Gilligan to rewind the clock…

Image: NASA

Taoiseach Simon Harris met with Keir Starmer yesterday at the new British Prime Minister’s countryside home where they toasted the “reset” in relations between Ireland and the UK with pints of Guinness.

And, of course, that was the image that you are seeing right here: the two country heads awkwardly holding up pints of Guinness… 

Do we really need the Guinness photoshoots in this day and age? Andrea Gilligan is joined by listeners to discuss.

From products to pimples, for this week’s Ask the Expert, Andrea Gilligan is joined by Professor Catriona Ryan, Consultant Dermatologist at the Institute of Dermatologists to answer all of your skin-related questions!

Ella Mills tragically passed away in a kayaking accident in Washington last year. This August 25th, her father Ralph is aiming to set a world record in her honour. 

He joins Andrea to discuss.

If you want to donate to the fundraiser in aid of the Kevin Bell Trust, you can do so here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/OFIFOTO2024

Fine Gael MEP Regina Doherty has said that she thinks the bike infrastructure in our cities is “authoritarian”. Apparently, they’ve turned Dublin “into a spaghetti junction of cycle lanes that have divided the city like East and West Berlin”.

Is she right? Or are they necessary?

Andrea is joined by Cian Ginty, Editor of Irish Cycle and listeners to discuss.