Highlights From Lunchtime Live

Lunchtime Live's Reasons to be Happy looks at some of the news stories that you might have missed that will leave you feeling more optimistic.98FM’s Cathal O’Sullivan joined Andrea in the studio to put a smile on your faces…

North-Cork Councillors are calling for those convicted of illegal dumping to complete community service litter clean-ups.Could this effectively tackle the problem?Joining Andrea to discuss is Ian Doyle, Fianna Fáil Councillor for North Cork, Noel McCarthy, TD for Cork East and Chairman of Fermoy Tidy Towns and listeners.

Every Wednesday afternoon, we’ll be talking Making Babies.Andrea will be joined by Professor Shane Higgins, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, to cover every area of trying to have a baby. From the very start of knowing how to prepare, right up to pregnancy – and all the bumps in the road in between.This week, Shane joins Andrea to discuss pelvic girdle pain (PGP) and how you can manage it if you come across it during your pregnancy.

Dan McDermott got in touch with the show because of his daughter Eve. Eve has had Cerebral Palsy since she was 9 weeks old, and her family are fighting to give her the treatment to help her walk.Dan joins Andrea to discuss Eve’s life, and the fundraising effort they are making.If you would like to donate, you can visit https://www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/SupportEvesDreamtoWalk

The Irish dental scheme is currently facing a serious crisis, with many medical card holders unable to access dental treatment. Fewer than 600 dentists nationwide are now operating under the scheme, leaving thousands of people struggling to secure appointments. As a result, many are going for years without seeing a dentist, leading to worsening oral health.Have you been affected by this?Andrea is joined by Irish Dental Association President Will Ryme, as well as listeners, to discuss.

For this week’s Ask the Expert, Andrea is joined by Managing Director ofInsuremyhouse.ie, Jonathan Hehir, to answer any of your questions around home insurance!

Research carried out by HelloFresh has shown that more than a third of people move their dinner time later into the evening due to busy days and commitments, yet almost half prioritise eating meals with their loved ones.The research found that 6.28pm is the perfect time to sit down for dinner, yet only about 40% of people achieve this.So, when do you sit down for dinner?Joining Andrea to discuss is Dietician Orla Walsh, Columnist Mary McCarthy and Andrew Rudd, Chef & Director of Medley Private Dining Venue.

Former TV Presenter and Model Michelle Doherty has had a tough few years, and has spoken so eloquently in the Irish Independent about her struggles with grief, separation and infertility.Michelle joins Andrea to discuss…

As the shock of what Grok can do sinks in - we have all gotten too comfortable with what AI can do…We’ve understood it could impact us, but we’ve almost come to terms with it.So, should we be deleting everything online to protect ourselves from a future we can't predict?Joining Andrea to discuss is Host of ‘Health Me’ Podcast Lisa Brady as well as listener Erika.

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 John Belton, Head Coach and owner of No.17 PT to discuss ‘exercise snacks’ and how they can help in your fitness journey!

People who are considering committing a crime in Northern Ireland may think twice if their mugshots are made public: the PSNI has announced plans to publish images of individuals who have been convicted of offences, with anyone sentenced to one year or more being considered for release.The PSNI believes this approach will help build public confidence and act as a deterrent to crime.So, is this a fair policy? Should offenders face this additional consequence, or is their sentence punishment enough?Joining Andrea to discuss is Kathleen Chada, Founder of SAVE action group, Criminologist John Cuffe,  Senator and Co-Founder of Tiglin, Aubrey McCarthy and listeners.

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

Do you still buy stamps or post letters?An Post is increasing the price of both national and international stamps from February by 20 cent from €1.65 to €1.85…Joining Andrea to discuss this is Anna McHugh, Head of Corporate Communications at An Post, Vanessa Fox O'Loughlin from writing.ie and listeners.

Experts in the UK say that university students should be encouraged to eat venison as a solution to cull the burgeoning deer population.Should Ireland follow suit? Is venison a better option than other meats?Joining Andrea to discuss is Peter Windsor, Representative of the Irish Deer Society, Sarah Keogh, Dietician and Founder of Eatwell, Keith Grant of Keith Grant Master Butchers in Roundwood and John Tierney, Campaigns Director at the Association of Hunt Saboteurs.

With ads everywhere telling us how to get fit for 2026, it’s easy to start speaking critically about our bodies, but what happens when little ears hear those negative comments?Aileen Cox Blundell from Baby Led Feeding noticed this when she saw her daughter looking at herself in the mirror. She joins Andrea to discuss, as well as listeners.

Welcome to The Pod Squad!We review podcasts every week so you always have something new to listen to.Host of the ‘What’s Trending in F1?’ podcast Elaine Power and Newstalk’s Rory Galvin join Andrea Gilligan to review ‘Dish’!Image: Waitrose & Partners

Many actors took to the red carpet in Los Angeles last night for the 2026 Golden Globes.One of the most talked-about winners of the evening was Ireland’s own Jessie Buckley. The Kerry star took home the award for Best Actress.Her powerful performance in ‘Hamnet’, alongside fellow Irishman Paul Mescal, captured the attention of audiences and critics alike.So, how are people reacting to the Killarney woman’s success?Joining Andrea to discuss is Fiona Crowley from Fiona Crowley Stage School, Cllr Marie Moloney and Patrick Osborne, author & Screenwriter based in Kerry.

For this week’s Ask Me Anything, Newstalk’s Political Correspondent Seán Defoe joins Andrea to answer any of your questions about covering the world of Irish politics!

Were you a fan of MTV’s Jackass? Or is a series that should be left in the past?Johnny Knoxville took to his Instagram to announce that a new movie is coming soon.Joining Andrea to discuss is Rory Cashin, Entertainment & Culture Journalist and Newstalk’s Rory Galvin.

More than 25,000 bicycles have been reported stolen across the country since 2019, but campaigners say that up to three quarters of their victims don’t report bike thefts…Is this number surprising to you? What can be done about them?Joining Andrea to discuss is Derren Ó Brádaigh, Sinn Féin Representative for Lucan, Colin Baker, Managing Director of Back from the Future Tech Support Stephen McManus from The Bike Hub in Dún Laoghaire and more.