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…

Were you watching The Traitors? It’s safe to say that it was a brilliant finale.Spoiler alert! The Faithfuls finally scuppered the Traitors in a dramatic ending, to win the prize money.Andrea is joined by two of the winners, Vanessa and Oyin, to chat about the experience!

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 Andrea to discuss the topic of preterm birth.

The Office of Public Works have culled more than 118 deer in Phoenix Park since the beginning of last year. It comes after they have paid €17,000 to snipers to manage the deer population in the capital.UCD, who tag fawns and keep track of the deer population in the park, found that the way deer were being targeted for culls by the OPW up to 2018 was “not a recommended approach”.The report recommended that “at least 65 individuals” should be targeted during each culling season in order to keep the deer population in the Phoenix Park “stable and sustainable”.Is culling deer the best approach to managing this population, or are there alternative measures to manage these animals?Joining Andrea to discuss is John Tierney from the Association of Hunt Saboteurs, as well as listeners.

A record number of secondary school students were offered Irish exemptions in the 2024-2025 school year, according to figures from a TG4 Investigates series due to be broadcast tonight.Over 60,000 students were not required to study Irish, up more than 5,000 from the previous year…The Director of the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals, Paul Crone, claimed that part of the reason for this is the pressure put on principals by parents.Joining Andrea to discuss this is Eric Nelligan, Assistant Principal and member of Aontú, Bill Clear, local Naas Councillor, Aodhán O’Dea. Director of Development with Conradh na Gaeilge, Lisa O’Sullivan Shaw (@modernirishmom on Instagram) and more.

For this week’s Ask the Expert, Andrea is joined by Chartered Physiotherapist Tony Spain to answer your physio questions!

People are paying to have spiders removed from their homes!According to the app Airtasker, where you can hire tradespeople, people are paying up to €600 to have people come to their homes and remove spiders…Does this seem bonkers or totally reasonable to you?Trevor Hayden, from Complete Pest Control, Collie Ennis, Zoology Research Associate at Trinity College Dublin and Biodiversity Officer and Dr John Francis Leader Psychologist from JFL.com join Andrea to discuss.

The household waste collection system could be due for a revamp. Bin companies may start to take ­responsibility for an entire geographic area rather than competing for customers on the same street.The new change, however, may come at a cost to customers as they will no longer be in competition with one another, meaning companies will have full control over their costs.We want to know what do our listeners feel about the change, would you like to only have one bin provider in your locality?Joining Andrea to discuss is former Irish Rugby International and owner of AWD Waste Solutions Shane Byrne, Consumer Journalist with the Irish Independent and Presenter of the Home Show on Newstalk, Sinead Ryan and listeners.

Since arriving on Irish television, The Traitors has become an instant nationwide hit, as viewers have been sucked into the fun, games and treachery playing out in Slane Castle.With the final episode set to air tonight, who do you think will win the competition, and what has been your favourite moment so far?Joining Andrea to discuss is Chrissie Russell. Feature Writer with the Independent, Eoin Sheahan from Off The Ball and listeners.

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 Nutritionist Aileen Cox Blundell (@babyledfeeding on Instagram) to talk about her line of work!

Minister for Education Helen McEntee wants works by William Shakespeare to remain compulsory for Leaving Cert English.Policymakers had proposed that it be optional for higher level students…What do you think, should it stay the way it is, or should students have a choice?Joining Andrea to discuss is Conor Murphy, English teacher in Skibbereen Community School, Dr. Ellen Howley, Assistant Professor at DCU’s School of English and listeners.

Dr Nina Byrnes, GP at Generation Health Medical Clinic joined guest host Anna Daly to tackle your medical queries...

Dunnes Stores have gotten into a little bit of legal trouble with one of their new products. Longchamp, the luxury French bagmaker, are alleging that Dunnes stole their idea for a bag, but Dunnes claim they’ve done nothing wrong. Are similar fashion products theft? Or is it all part of the industry?And, do you buy so-called ‘dupe’ products?Joining guest host Anna Daly to discuss is Esther McCarthy, Life and Style Features Editor at the Irish Examiner and Jacinta Carraher, owner of Purple Peach.Images: Dunnes, Longchamp

A piece in today’s Irish Independent covers a Dublin teacher who has said that he’s had to leave his job because he can’t afford to rent in the city anymore…It got us thinking – should public sector workers in Dublin get an extra payment levy to keep them in the capital?They do it in other cities like London, so why not here?Joining guest host Anna Daly to discuss is Mark Candon, Principal of St. Laurence O'Toole's National School in Dublin, Jason Cullen from the Dublin Commuter Coalition, and listeners.

Matcha has become a global trend, but many still aren’t sure what it actually is…Guest host Anna Daly is joined by Tessa Ndjonko, Journalist, Shelly Grey, Today FM presenter & Dietician and Brendan McManamon, owner of Deja Brew to talk about all things matcha, and why it’s so popular!

Welcome to The Pod Squad!We review podcasts every week so you always have something new to listen to.Laura Mullet Journalist and Stylist and Elaine Burke, Presenter of the ‘For Tech’s Sake’ podcast join guest host Anna Daly to review ‘There’s A Lot I Haven’t Asked’!

A new primary school curriculum will be phased in from next year. The curriculum, which will be published today, will mean that children in 5th and 6th class will learn about different sexual orientations including homosexuality and bisexuality.Students will also begin to learn a foreign language, as well as incorporating arts and science and double PE and SPHE classes per week.So, are schools doing the right thing by changing the curriculum?Joining guest host Anna Daly to discuss is Principal of Mother of Divine Grace National School in Finglas, Eoin Dolan, Comedian and father Keego and listeners.

For this week’s Ask Me Anything, Street Artist Dylan Jackson joins guest host Anna Daly to answer any of your street art questions!

Jaden Smith has been selected as the first ever Men’s Creative Director of Christian Louboutin, where he will help to create designer goods for the luxury fashion brand. But, online many have claimed that Jaden's appointment is an act of nepotism!So, is nepotism rife in our society, and is it a cause for concern?Joining guest host Anna Daly to discuss is Dee Reddy, Podcaster and Pop Culture Journalist and Brendan Kelly, Professor Of Psychiatry At Trinity College.Image: @christianlouboutin on Instagram

On yesterday’s show, the subject of anti-social behaviour particularly among teens was covered. It had a huge reaction, with many listeners flagging the lack of amenities and after-school clubs being a cause, with some blaming the parents too.It’s clear that this issue isn't confined to the nation’s capital - it is rampant across the country with shopkeepers needing to thwart shoplifters, putting themselves in the face of danger in doing so…But, what can be done about it, and just how bad is it in your area?Guest host Anna Daly is joined by listeners to discuss.