Highlights From Lunchtime Live

If you didn't tell Strava, did you even go for a run? That’s the question posed by Journalist Colin Sheridan. Is he right?Have we become obsessed with telling the world about our run?Joining Andrea to discuss is Colin Sheridan, as well as Newstalk’s Technology Correspondent Jess Kelly.

In March 2021, the use of illegal drugs among members of An Garda Síochána was acknowledged as a serious concern. At the time, it was announced that drug testing of Garda personnel would be introduced to prevent and deter substance misuse, with the scheme expected to come into force within six months.Five years later, routine drug testing has still not been implemented.Should members of An Garda Síochána be subject to regular drug testing?Joining Andrea to discuss is former Assistant Governor of Wheatfield Prison, Niall Spellman, former Detective Garda, John Sweetman and listeners.

A study from UCLA has found that almost half of Gen Z believe that there is “...too much sex and sexual content in TV and movies.”In line with this, actor and director Olivia Wilde has stated that they want to see less sex on their screens, as they “don’t want to see in-authenticity anymore…”So, is it true, is there too much sex on TV?Joining Andrea to discuss is Entertainment Journalist Sarina Bellisimo, Journalist Sarina Hanley and listeners.

Welcome to The Pod Squad!We review podcasts every week so you always have something new to listen to.Newstalk’s Laura Donnelly and Journalist & Stylist Laura Mullet join Andrea Gilligan to review ‘Wanging On with Graham Norton and Maria McErlane’!Image: Listen

Word of a planned boardgame on the Troubles has prompted outcry in Northern Ireland.The game, ‘The Troubles: Shadow War in Northern Ireland 1964-1998’, is currently under development, and will not be made available for several years.The proposed game allows players to play as members of different factions from the conflict, such as the IRA and the RUC, where they can plant bombs and make political deals.The company’s founder has said that the aim of the game is to educate and promote history, yet victim’s rights groups have criticized it, saying it oversimplifies a complex issue.So, is this type of game acceptable?Joining Andrea to discuss is Kenny Donaldson of the South East Fermanagh Foundation, Journalist and Author Aoife Grace Moore, Writer and Political Commentator Emma De Souza and more.Image: Compass Games

For this week’s Ask Me Anything, Stephen Gallagher, Beekeeper and Founder of Swarms.ie joins guest host Anna Daly to answer any of your questions!

Doctors have issued an urgent warning about tampon use after a teenager in Drogheda was admitted to hospital suffering from toxic shock syndrome and organ failure during her period.In Ireland, 50% of girls aged between 12 and 19 in Ireland report occasional period poverty, where financial constraints limit access to menstrual hygiene products. As a result of this, many young women do not have sufficient education on how to use sanitary products in the correct way.What do we need to look out for to prevent this happening to more women?Joining guest host Anna Daly to discuss is Dr Eleanor Galvin from Rosemount Family Doctors.

Now, it’s time to chat about duvet days - taking a day off, even if you aren’t strictly under the weather, whether that be from work or school.Is offering children the occasional day off a restorative act that could benefit their mental health or a big no no?This is the question posed by Freelance Journalist and mother Niamh O’Reilly, who joins guest host Anna Daly, alongside Brendan Kelly, Professor of Psychiatry in TCD, Siobhan O’Neill White of Mams.ie and more to discuss.

It’s an exciting day for Harry Styles fans today, as his new single ‘Aperture’ was released at midnight last night.Not only that, he also announced his 2026 tour, ‘Together Together’, last night - with shows in Amsterdam, New York, Mexico City and London.Guest host Anna Daly is joined by three of his enthusiasts, Newstalk’s own Niamh Dunne, Cathal Minogue of Today FM and Jane Cowan, Irish Examiner Columnist to share in the excitement!

Breakfast Briefing Presenter Shane Beatty joins guest host Anna Daly with plenty of stories from around the country this week!

Irish dancing is known for its high kicks, intricate footwork, and iconic curly hair, but at its core it demands years of training and dedication. As competitions become more frequent, some believe the growing focus on appearance and glamour may be overshadowing true talent.Registered Orthopedic and Strength and Conditioning Specialist Peter O’Grady warns that the modern image of an Irish dancer is becoming increasingly costly for families, and may shift attention away from skill and technique…What do you think? Should we focus more on dancing and less on the dancer's appearance?Joining guest host Anna Daly to discuss is Peter O'Grady, Registered Orthopedic and Strength and Conditioning Specialist, Irish Dance Professional. World Champion & Teacher, Ciara Sexton, Patrick O'Mahony, Designer and Digitizer for dresses, CEO of Riverdance Patrick Moyles and more.

You spend a lot of your life on one, so how do you know if you’re sleeping on the right mattress for you?This week, the Home Squad are here to discuss all things mattresses!Joining Andrea to discuss is Jenny Sheehan, Irish Examiner Columnist and former winner of ‘Home of the Year’ (@workerscottage on Instagram) and Kate O’Driscoll, @victorianrathmines on Instagram.

Collagen banking is the newest anti-aging skincare trend, but what exactly is it, and how does it work?Professor Caitriona Ryan, Consultant Dermatologist at Institute of Dermatologists and Blackrock Clinic joins Andrea to discuss.

Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien, alongside the National Transport Authority, has announced that contactless ticketing on public transport will come into effect in 2028.This will allow passengers to pay using bank cards, phones and other smart devices, yet we are one of the last major European cities to introduce the technology.Joining Andrea to discuss this is Feljin Jose, Spokesperson for Transport for the Green Party, CEO of the National Transport Authority, Anne Shaw and more.

As Ireland gear up for their World Cup qualifiers this March, excitement is building among supporters eager to back the team in green. That enthusiasm, however, may be tested by the price of the newly released Ireland jersey, which goes on sale today.Fans looking to kit themselves out will have to dig deep. The adult jersey costs €145 for the player-fit version, while the regular fit is priced at €105. The women’s jersey also comes in at €105, and the children’s jersey will cost a steep €85.So, is this simply the price of supporting your national team in modern football, or are fans being priced out while the team’s success is being capitalised on?Andrea is joined by Freelance Sports Journalist Daniel Hussey, as well as 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 The Saw Doctors’ ‘If This Is Rock and Roll, I Want My Old Job Back’!

There have been several calls over the past few months about removing counselling notes from victims of sexual assault and rape from trials and court cases.Paula Doyle is a rape survivor and activist who has been protesting around Dublin in aid of this. She joins Andrea to discuss.Helplines:DRCC.ieNational 24-Hour Helpline - 1 800 77 8888

It seems that every day, when we look at social media, a new person is emigrating. Typically, they’re heading off to Australia, Canada or America, with thousands of Irish people now calling those countries home. Something we see less often is people heading off to places like China, but that’s not to say there’s no Irish community out there.Newstalk Reporter Emily Keegan has taken a trip to China, and she’s spoken to some of the Irish people living there to see what life is like for them.

Commuting in Ireland is no longer working.That’s the claim from the Labour party today as they say the country is in crisis.Are they right?Joining Andrea to discuss is Kildare South TD Mark Wall, Jamie Groom, CEO and Co-Founder of Rent a Recruiter and more.

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…