Highlights From Lunchtime Live

Anna’s guest has launched a petition calling for a once-off national holiday on March 27th, 2026: the day after Ireland’s World Cup playoff semi-final. The aim is to give the whole country the chance to come together and support the team during what could be a rare and historic moment for Irish football…If Ireland reaches the final, the petition also calls for March 31st and April 1st to be declared once-off holidays too. Supporters are encouraged to sign - and remember to verify their signature so it counts.Brion Kennedy, Irish Football Fan and Petition Founder and Daniel Hussey, Freelance Sports Journalist.

Many people living with conditions such as IBS and Crohn’s disease can be left in distressing situations when they suddenly need to use the toilet. For them, this isn’t a matter of convenience - it’s a medical necessity.Yet, many bars and restaurants restrict toilet access to paying customers. So, what does that mean for those living with long-term digestive conditions, and how can society better support them?Anna Daly’s guest is calling for the introduction of a ‘bowel card’ - giving people immediate access to toilet facilities when they need it most, helping to remove anxiety, uncertainty and embarrassment.Maria Crowe joins to discuss, as well as Mark Wall, Labour Party TD for Kildare South and Emily Larkin, Founder of Invisible Disability Ireland.

Gen Z are accused of many things: that they’re chronically online, surgically attached to their phones, avoidant of eye contact and allergic to small talk.They are, we’re told, the loneliest generation, and supposedly the one least able to hold a conversation with a stranger…So, it may come as a surprise to learn that they, not the extroverted, freewheeling generations before them, are the ones bringing back communal dining!Joining guest host Anna Daly to discuss this is Leslie Shoemaker, Psychologist and Lecturer in TU Dublin and Gráinne O’Higgins & Dearbhaile Gaffney, organisers of Mingle Meets Supper Club.

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 Amy Winehouse’s album ‘Back to Black’!

Dublin’s MetroLink project is expected to need around 8,000 construction workers.Programme Director Sean Sweeney has said Ireland may have to recruit many from abroad to meet that demand.But, with construction already facing labour shortages and workers continuing to emigrate due to high living costs and the housing crisis, serious questions are being raised about how the State can attract and house the workforce needed to deliver the project.Joining guest host Anna Daly to discuss is Cllr Feljin Jose, Spokesperson for Transport for the Green Party, Architect, Rósín Murphy, Iarnród Éireann's Apprentice Training Manager, Conor Doolin and more.

If you have a lack of confidence in yourself, how likely is that going to be carried over to your children? And, what should be done about it?Joining guest host Anna Daly to discuss is Personal Trainer and mam Georgy Dillion and Life Coach Mark Fennell.

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 guest host Anna Daly in the studio to put a smile on your faces…Image: Universal Pictures

Defibrillators when used are often lifesaving. With many registered defibrillators provided in towns and villages, they are a great resource.While registered, however, it can often be hard to locate. By adding these to Google Maps, residents and visitors will be able to find the nearest defibrillators in the event of an emergency…Do you think Google should make defibrillators available on Google Maps? And if so, how do we use them when needed?Joining guest host Anna Daly to discuss is Patrick Higgins, who called on the HSE and Google to work together, David Hall, CEO of Lifeline Ambulance and listeners.

Every Wednesday afternoon, we’ll be talking Making Babies.Andrea will be joined by Professor Shane Higgins, Master of the National Maternity Hospital, 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 guest host Anna Daly to discuss your birthing options when the time comes…

According to a recent survey, 62% of men believe that “women have too many expectations of how men should be in relationships these days”.44% say they would have to change too much about themselves in order to make a serious relationship work long-term…Not very romantic, is it? It begs the question: is dating dead? And if it is, who, or what is killing it?Joining guest host Anna Daly to discuss is SPIN1038’s Katie Gallagher, Newstalk’s Ciara Treacy and more.

Health insurance costs are set to rise again as the HIA plans a 10% increase in the levy that funds subsidies for older and higher-risk customers.With premiums already climbing, we ask: what will this mean for the 2.5 million people with cover, and is the system fair?Joining guest host Anna Daly to discuss is Dermot Goode, Health Insurance Expert with Health Insurance Ireland, as well as listeners.

For this week’s Ask the Expert, guest host Anna Daly is joined by Audiologist Frank McGrath, to answer any of your hearing and tinnitus-related questions!

Christmas parties are starting, group dinners are being planned, the shopping has already started…It can be easier to feel overwhelmed in the run up to Christmas, so how do you avoid feeling burned out?Joining guest host Anna Daly to discuss is Siobhan Murray, Psychotherapist and Expert on Burnout Management.

If you or someone you know has had or is having a baby, chances are you’ve talked about the idea of ‘bouncing back’.It’s the idea that women should ‘recover’ as quickly and seamlessly as possible, even though pregnancy and birth are major, sometimes traumatic, medical events.Niamh O’Sullivan is an influencer and a new mother, and she recently posted about this, writing that she looks the same at 14 and a half weeks post-partum as she did at 20 weeks pregnant.She said even though this is “fine”, she’s jealous of women who can “bounce back” more easily.She joins guest host Anna Daly to discuss, as well as Maria O’Sullivan, Certified lactation consultant and member of Association for Improvements in Maternity Services in Ireland and listeners.

It's How I live well time! Where someone joins to discuss what they do to improve their life...This week, guest host Anna Daly is joined by Aileen Cox Blundell, Nutritionist, to talk all things Vitamin D!

We’ve all heard the stories - you ace the first interview, then the next, then another, and you’re still not sure if you’ll get the job! It seems more and more Irish jobseekers are being asked to jump through hoop after hoop to secure roles, but is all this really helping companies, or just putting great candidates off?Joining guest host Anna Daly to discuss is Tracey Keevans, Global FDI Director at Morgan McKinley, Pat McDonagh, owner of Supermacs, Moira Grassick, COO of Peninsula Ireland HR and listeners.

After a very tragic accident occurred in Dundalk at the weekend, many people are saddened and worried by the danger of Irish roads.One listener got in touch to discuss his frustration and upset at the lack of Garda checkpoints on Irish roads, despite plenty being in place during the lockdown…How do you feel? Are there enough checkpoints, or do we need to see more to prevent further accidents from occurring?Joining guest host Anna Daly to discuss is Spokesperson for the LOVE30 Campaign, Mairead Forsythe, Editor with Completecar.ie, Shane O’Donoghue and listeners.

Dr. Nina Byrnes, GP at Generation Health Medical Clinic joined Anna Daly to answer your questions.

There’s a lot of research to say that what you are called impacts the kind of life you will lead, especially if you have an unusual name.Over the last few years, there has been a rise in ‘uncommon’ names with people calling their kids Apple, North, and Peach, even!But does having a strange name have any impact on your life ?Joining Anna Daly in for Andrea was Baby Name Expert & Celebrity Name Consultant, SJ Strum, Broadcaster and podcast host, Venetia Quick, Day Magee And Matthew Matthews from Spin 1038

Miriam is a 69-year-old wheelchair user. She got in touch with  Lunchtime Live to tell the current issues she is facing with her accommodation. As a wheelchair user, her Dublin City Council apartment fails to meet her disability needs, making her housebound. She joined Anna Daly in for Andrea to discuss the impact the issue is having on her life.