Highlights From Lunchtime Live

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.

Many people take great pride in their homes and go to considerable lengths to keep them clean and tidy. For some, that means maintaining spotless floors, and expecting guests to help keep them that way.So, is asking visitors to remove their shoes at the door a reasonable request, or does it risk making them feel uncomfortable?Joining Andrea to discuss is Presenter Claire Ronan, Associate Professor in Clinical Microbiology at the University of Leicester, Dr Primrose Freestone and more.

Breakfast Briefing Presenter Shane Beatty joins Andrea Gilligan with plenty of stories from around the country this week!

Should we consider banning ‘X’?The UK is, should we be following suit?This is fallout from the issues around their AI chatbot Grok. X users undressed thousands of pictures of women and children using Grok AI…So, what should we do about it?Joining Andrea to discuss is Newstalk’s Technology Correspondent, Jess Kelly, Host of the ‘For Techs Sake’ podcast Elaine Burke, as well as listeners.

Usually on the show this segment covers the lovely aspirational things with your home: renovations and new ideas. But, what do you do when things go wrong? What do you do if a pipe bursts in your home and causes damage?This week, the Home Squad are here to discuss dealing with bursts and leaks!Joining Andrea to discuss is Jenny Sheehan, Irish Examiner Columnist and former winner of ‘Home of the Year’ (@workerscottage on Instagram) and Quantity Surveyor Patricia Power.

Do you treat yourself?Even when you’re a little broke, do you find some way to do something nice?Maybe it’s just some time out, some R&R - or maybe a fancy coffee on the way to work.But, do you prioritise it?Andrea is joined by Broadcaster Padraig Wilson McCarthy and Brendan Kelly, Professor of Psychiatry at Trinity College Dublin and author of ‘The Science of Happiness’ to discuss…

A new study has revealed that people who stop taking weight-loss jabs regain weight in under two years.Joining Andrea to discuss this is Professor Donal O’Shea, the HSE Clinical Lead for Obesity, as well as listeners.

Little Mix singer Jesy Nelson announced on Sunday that her twin daughters have been diagnosed with a severe muscular disease.She said she will be campaigning for SMA1 (spinal muscular atrophy) screening at birth, after her twin babies were diagnosed with this rare genetic condition.The test has been approved in Ireland, but hasn’t yet been implemented.So, why not?Andrea is joined by listeners to discuss.

We’ve decided to do a deep dive on some of our favourite albums to explore the stories behind them.What did the artists really think of each other? Where did the inspirations from the songs come from?Joining Andrea to discuss is Head Tour Guide at the Irish Rock ‘N’ Roll Museum Experience, Alan Buckley, who’s going to talk through Bob Dylan’s album album ‘The Times They Are A-Changin'!

Minister for Further and Higher Education James Lawless has come under criticism for comments suggesting that providing each student with a private bathroom would be “wasteful.”The remarks were made during a discussion on the Government’s plans to move towards a co-living model for university accommodation, which would involve more communal living spaces.What are your thoughts on the minister’s comments? Should college students be entitled to an en-suite bathroom, or would shared facilities represent a more responsible use of public funds?Joining Andrea to discuss is Peter Finn AKA Pete the Builder, Orla Hegarty, Architect and Assistant Professor at the School of Architecture, Planning and Environmental Policy UCD and listeners.

Is there any need for wedding speeches anymore?TV Chef Gordon Ramsay said he was a “hot mess” before daughter Holly’s wedding speech.What’s your stance on wedding speeches? Do you love or loathe them?Joining Andrea to discuss is Wedding Planner Lyndsey Moynagh, Barry McLoughlin from the Communications Clinic, owner of Crofton Motors in Dublin Joey Donnelly and Speech Writer Cormac Lally.

It’s one of the things you’ll come across in your parenting journey: pocket money. Should children get pocket money, should they “earn” it, and what can it teach them? And, how much should they get?Joining Andrea to discuss is Paul Merriman, Founder of Ask Paul and CEO of Fairstone and Psychotherapist Bethan O'Riordan.

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…