Highlights From Lunchtime Live

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 student demand and career pathways.Should these courses be scrapped, and do we need to reduce the length of college courses in general?Joining Andrea to discuss is Assistant Professor at DCU’s School of English, Ellen Howley, Guidance Counsellor and Irish Times Columnist, Brian Mooney, as well as listeners.

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 students there, and join to discuss.

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.

Would you like to see pets on the bus, Luas or train?The National Transport Authority has opened a public consultation, asking people to get involved and have their say on pets on public transport?So should everywhere be dog friendly? Or should your four-legged friends be left at home?Joining Andrea to discuss is Eanna Ni Lamha, Environmentalist and Wildlife Expert, Samantha Rawson dog trainer and behaviourist and pet lover Andrea Smith.

Many survivors of sexual assault did not remember consenting to the use of their counselling notes in court, a survey has found.The survey, carried out by survivor led charity Beyond Surviving, has received over 240 responses within 24 hours and found that many survivors did not recall giving informed consent for their notes to be accessed and used in courts.These findings come as amended legislation on the matter is due to come before the Oireachtas Committee.Founder Ciara Mangan and Solicitor Sarah Grace join Andrea to discuss.

Gaelscoil Chnoc na Ré, the only Gaelscoil in County Sligo, is in dire need of a new school building.The school currently has only one classroom in the main building, being left to rely on prefab units for the majority of their pupils.Although the school has been part of the ADAPT programme to be redeveloped since 2022, they are still waiting…Joining Andrea to discuss this is Liz Nic Searraigh, Principal of Gaelscoil Chnoc na Ré, and Olivia McFadden, parent of a Gaelscoil student and member of the Parent’s Association.

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 Queen’s ‘A Night at the Opera’!

A recent survey carried out by RIP.ie has discovered that the average Irish person attends five funerals a year. Out of those figures, it has been discovered that Kerry people go to the most.The report also suggests that 90% of respondents believe every family should have the right to deliver a eulogy at the funeral mass of a family member.We want to know, why do people from the countryside go to more funerals than Dublin people? How often do you go to funerals?Joining Andrea to discuss is Graham Gleasure from The Gleasure Funeral Home in Tralee, Bríd McGowan Funeral Director and Embalmer in Sligo, Ocean FM Presenter Claire Ronan, Newstalk’s Josh Crosbie and Content Creator, Padraig Wilson McCarthy.

Tony Murray is amongst parents of adults with intellectual disabilities to present to TDs in the Dáil this lunchtime as part of their Before We Die campaign.Newstalk Reporter Josh Crosbie was there, and joins Andrea with the latest.

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…Image: Reuters

Dublin City Council and approved housing body Tuath have received backlash from social tenants in a mixed housing complex.Social tenants in the Newmarket Yards Complex in D8 have condemned their exclusion from the complex's amenities, such as the gym and community room, saying it’s “completely segregation.”Andrea is joined by one of those tenants, who will remain anonymous, Hazel de Nortúin, People Before Profit Councillor for Ballyfermot/Drimnagh and Town Planner Derek Whyte to discuss.

Irish boxing legend Katie Taylor has announced that she will retire after her final fight this summer, still aiming to have it take place in Croke Park.Joining Andrea to give their reactions is Olympic boxer Michael Carruth, Philip Egan from Off the Ball and Liam Morley Brereton from St Brigid’s Boxing Club in Offaly.

Every Wednesday afternoon, we’ll be talking Making Babies.Andrea will be joined by Professor Shane Higgins, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, 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 some of the conditions that can affect you during your pregnancy.

Do you and your other half have a joint account?And how do you manage splitting the bills in your household?It seems that among younger generations, there is a move away from joint bank accounts as couples keep their finances separate…Joining Andrea to discuss this is Siobhan Maguire, Consumer Journalist.

The national anthem is a powerful symbol of identity and heritage. For many, it inspires a deep sense of pride; for others, it holds little personal significance.Waterford County Council has unanimously passed a motion to make Ireland’s national anthem a mandatory part of the primary school curriculum.The proposal was introduced by Donnchadh Mulcahy of Sinn Féin. Speaking with Anton Savage this morning, Cllr Mulcahy outlined the reasoning behind the motion and why he believes learning the anthem should be an essential part of a child’s early education.So, do you think the national anthem should be mandatory as part of the school curriculum?Joining Andrea to discuss is Freelance Sports Journalist Mortimer Murphy, Lisa O'Sullivan Shaw (@modernirishmom on Instagram) and listeners.

For this week’s Ask the Expert, Andrea is joined by Dublin Bus Spokesperson Blake Boland to answer any of your bus-related questions!