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 guest host Anna Daly in the studio to put a smile on your faces…

One in five schools have been forced to drop a subject due to teachers' retention and recruitment issues, according to a survey carried out by the Teachers Union of Ireland. Three-quarters of the schools surveyed had advertised positions in the previous six months for which no teacher applied. A further 60% have unfilled vacancies… Have you or your children been affected by the teacher's shortage?...

Every Wednesday afternoon, we’ll be talking Making Babies. Professor Shane Higgins, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist joins 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 morning sickness…

29-year-old Olivia McAleenan was diagnosed last week with multiple sclerosis… She joins Anna Daly to share her experience thus far of recognizing her symptoms and receiving a diagnosis.

An estimated €15.6 million will be needed to repair damaged roads after Storm Chandra. Elected members of Wicklow County Council, one of the worst affected areas, have called on the Department of Transport, Taoiseach and Tanaiste to provide extra emergency funding to aid this. The “extraordinary scale of destruction” caused far exceeds the road maintenance budget for the council. Joining guest hos...

According to a new study, left handed people are more competitive than right handed people. Are you left handed? Does this ring true? Joining Andrea to discuss is Phil Smyth, Physicist, Engineer and Science Communicator and Off the Ball’s Colm Boohig.

Looking to do some home energy upgrades but don’t know where to start? For this week’s Ask the Expert, Andrea is joined by Brian McIntyre, Programme Manager at the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland to answer any questions you might have!

Barring Orders and Protection Orders, have you ever tried to take one out against someone? Andrea’s guest spent decades living in fear, subjected to emotional and sexual abuse by her ex partner. He was ultimately convicted and is serving time for rape, but she was never granted a Barring Order to protect her during that time. Donna joins Andrea to share her story… HELPLINES: www.womensaid.ie Phone...

Thousands of passengers are left in limbo as they try to get home, or get some certainty from airlines as to what will happen... Tony is worried they won’t get home from Australia, and joins Andrea, along with other listeners, to discuss.

It's How I live well time! Andrea will be joined by experts to discuss ways you can improve your life… This week, Andrea is joined by Endocrinologist Professor Mary Ryan to talk all things testosterone.

Ireland has already seen an increase over the weekend in fuel prices after the US-Israeli attack on Iran… Petrol and diesel have both increased by about 2 cent per litre, and kerosene has increased by 2.5 cent. As the conflict widens across the Middle East, how will fuel prices impact us?  Joining Andrea to discuss is Head of Communications at Bonkers.ie , Darragh Cassidy, as well as listener...

Who lays down the laws in your house? The age old “Just wait until your father comes home” is apparently a thing of the past, with fathers now seen as pushovers. Is that the case in your house? Are you a pushover dad? Joining Andrea to discuss is Adrian Barry from Off the Ball and Joey Donnelly and more.

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

Conflict in the Middle East has caused chaos with missile strikes on airports causing closures and much uncertainty. So, what are the experiences of those impacted by this travel disruption? Andrea is joined by listeners to discuss.

Last month, Andrea spoke to the Oyekanmi family, who were facing deportation back to South Africa. Their local community had been protesting against their deportation, one of those was Finbarr O’Brien, from De La Salle Rugby Club. He joins Andrea to discuss.

Earlier on Newstalk Breakfast, Anton Savage spoke to Sinn Féin Councilor Aoife Rose O’Brien on the mass eviction notice served to 36 households in Wexford. The eviction will impact about 100 people living in the Hazelwood estate in Bridgetown… Andrea is joined by some of those affected to discuss.

Welcome to The Pod Squad! We review podcasts every week so you always have something new to listen to. Newstalk’s Rory Galvin and Host of the ‘For Tech’s Sake’ podcast Elaine Burke join Andrea Gilligan to review ‘The Mel Robbins Podcast’! Image: SiriusXM

How have missile strikes in the Middle East affected those living there? Andrea is joined by Irish people both living and stranded in Dubai to discuss their experiences… Image: Reuters

For this week’s Ask Me Anything, State Pathologist Linda Mulligan joins Andrea to answer any of your questions!

We hear a lot about protein and why it’s good for you, but how much of it do we need to be eating? And why is it especially important as you get older? Laura Dowling, aka the Fabulous Pharmacist, is attempting to up her protein intake in a bid for a “better middle aged ass”, and joins Andrea along with Shelly Gray, Registered Dietician and Today FM Presenter to discuss.

The University of Galway is proposing to discontinue its general arts degree as part of a wider academic review, citing an international decline in demand as students increasingly favour courses with clearer routes to employment. Arts, Social Sciences and Celtic Studies are among the programmes under consideration, with the university aiming to align its offerings more closely with evolving studen...

Yesterday, we heard about a school in Sligo where students are wearing their coats in the classroom due to lack of services to keep the children warm. Today, Andrea will be speaking to two parents from St Patrick's Primary School in Celbridge where the building presents a serious and immediate safety concern that extends well beyond routine maintenance issues… Áine and Melissa are parents of stude...

Breakfast Briefing Presenter Shane Beatty joined Andrea with a roundup of some of the stories from across the country this week.

New figures show that more than 300,000 homes are now in arrears on their electricity bills. What needs to be done to help people? Joining Andrea to discuss is Conor Pope, Consumer Affairs Correspondent with The Irish Times, as well as listeners.

Sometimes, it’s handy to have some tools at home and the basic knowhow to fix small things. This week, the Home Squad are here to discuss tools and answer your questions! Joining Andrea to discuss is Jenny Sheehan, Irish Examiner Columnist and former winner of ‘Home of the Year’ (@workerscottage on Instagram) and Founder and CEO of The DIY Academy Martin Glynn.