Lunchtime Live

This next story might raise a smile - until you hear the details…

Patients at a Galway hospital say they’re being terrorised by aggressive seagulls, with birds swooping and shrieking at people as they try to get in and out of the building.

For some patients, it’s frightening enough that they’re afraid to step outside, and it has reignited the debate about what can actually be done when wildlife becomes a public safety issue.

Joining Andrea to discuss is Fine Gael Cllr Frank Fahy, Éanna Ní Lamhna, Biologist, Environmental and Wildlife Consultant and listeners.

Can you remember your PE lessons in school? And did they put you off sport later in life?

According to research in the UK, people are scared as adults remembering getting picked last in gym class or being shouted at on the sports field, and as a result shy away from exercise when they are older…

Joining Andrea to discuss this is Dr Fiona Skelly, Lecturer at the Technological University of the Shannon and listeners.

Katie Gallagher, Spin News Anchor, has her finger on the pulse for what’s happening and she joins Andrea with the things you don’t want to miss this week!

Image: Lionsgate

The Government has approved new rules on modular homes, meaning they can be rented out, with up to €14,000 being tax-free, and do not need planning permission.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has stated that the decision was a practical one, but is this a reasonable response to the housing crisis?

Joining Andrea to discuss is Michael Houghton, Columnist with the Irish Independent, host of the ‘Irish Fire’ podcast and private landlord, as well as listeners.

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

What are your panic cleaning tricks?

New research from The Brillo Cleaning Culture Report shows that panic cleaning is almost universal in Ireland, with 95% of adults admitting to last‑minute cleans before visitors arrive.

Laura De Barra, AKA the ‘Gaff Goddess’ joins Andrea to discuss, and give her own last-minute cleaning tips!

Former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar spoke to Matt Cooper on the ‘Path to Power’ podcast recently, and this is what he had to say about the relationship between urban and rural areas:

"We’re the ones paying all the bills — you’re the ones in receipt of a lot of subsidies and a lot of tax benefits that other people don’t get.”

Can you understand just why they’ve caused such controversy? Is there a rural versus urban divide in Ireland?

Joining Andrea to discuss is Eddie Punch former General Secretary of ICSA and now Columnist for the Farming Independent, Jacqueline Hogge, Rural Affairs Investigative Reporter with the Farmers Journal, Independent Economist Jim Power and more.

Census 1926 was released over the weekend, but where do you start if you’re trying to find family members? Or, what else can the census tell us?

Joining Andrea to discuss is Eileen Murphy, Head of Census Administration & Digital Transformation at the Central Statistics Office.

Welcome to The Pod Squad!

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

98FM Producer Russell Alford and Newstalk Producer Caoimhe Harney join Andrea Gilligan to review ‘Great Company with Jamie Laing’!

Image: Jampot Productions

Yesterday the Sunday Independent reported that over 500 Aer Lingus flights will be cut amidst fuel shortage fears and aircraft maintenance…

Has this impacted your summer holiday plans, or are you worried about the potential impact?

Joining Andrea to discuss is Clare Dunne, Chief Executive of the Irish Travel Agents Association, Lisa O’Sullivan Shaw, @modernirishmom on Instagram and listeners.