Highlights From Lunchtime Live

In a spectacular show last night, the Republic of Ireland faced Portugal at Lansdowne Road. We needed to win to stay in the mix for a play-off spot for the World Cup…And win we did! It was a game full of drama, ending with 2 nil to Ireland, both goals scored by Troy Parrott, and of course, Ronaldo getting the red card.Guest host Anna Daly is joined by listeners to get their reactions to the match.

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

For expectant parents, there’s already so much to think about without adding parking to the list. Unfortunately, for many families, hospital parking becomes an unexpected source of stress that they’re forced to factor into their birthing plans.Across the country, many maternity hospitals either offer limited parking, or none at all, and even when parking is available, finding a space can take far longer than it should, especially in urgent situations...Have you had a difficult experience with hospital parking when having a baby?Joining guest host Anna Daly to discuss is Journalist and mum, Aideen Finnegan, Dr Krysia Lynch, Chairperson for the Association for Improvements in Maternity Services in Ireland, Katie Makk from the ‘Opinions Matter’ podcast and Aidan Loughnane, Content Creator and Mental Health Advocate.

With the weather getting colder and colder, there are some things you might want to look out for when getting your home winter-ready.This week, the Home Squad are here to discuss prepping the house for winter!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).

Listener Mary got in touch with the show about an issue she has with Bord Gáis. She joins Andrea to discuss more.

The Office of Public Works yesterday announced that ‘Christmas at the Castle’ will not be returning this year or next due to Government business, and the upcoming EU presidency.Does this leave a hole in your Christmas calendar, and should we have more of an offering in the city during the festive period? Are we as a capital city lagging behind our European neighbours and even other cities in the country?And, what are some of the experiences you are looking forward to in the lead up to Christmas?Andrea is joined by Lisa O’Sullivan Shaw (@modernirishmom on Instagram), Trevor Darmody, Director of Winterval Festival in Waterford and listeners to discuss.

All this week, Lunchtime Live has been focusing on the renting situation around Ireland.Today, we want to look at a slightly different angle: what is the current situation for landlords in this country?Andrea is joined by Maurice Deverell, Private landlord and Member of Irish Property Owners Association and listeners to hear their experiences.

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 Billy Joel’s album, ‘The Stranger’!

The Government has confirmed it will launch a statutory inquiry into the care of children with scoliosis and spina bifida at Children’s Health Ireland.The announcement follows months of emotional campaigning by parents, including the family of Harvey Sherratt, who tragically passed away in July.Families have long called for answers about the treatment, and today’s decision marks a significant step toward accountability.Andrea is joined by Advocate with Access for All Ireland, Bernard Mulvany, Core member of the Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Paediatric Advocacy Group, Orlaith Maher Lalor and listeners to discuss…

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: Disney

From today, Ryanair switches to 100% digital boarding passes.They claim paperless boarding will be “faster, smarter and greener", but will it be “seamless”?And, has flying just become too much hassle?Andrea is joined by Eoghan Corry, Travel Journalist and Writer, as well as listeners, to discuss.

Prince William has opened up about telling his children about his wife Kate’s diagnosis. Just how hard is it to tell your kids about a cancer diagnosis, and how should you go about it?Andrea is joined by Amy Nolan, Director of Clinical Affairs with the Irish Cancer Society, as well as listeners, to discuss.

Have you ever gone absolutely bananas when your team scores that last-minute winner against an old rival? Or slouched on the couch for hours after a devastating defeat? Well, it’s not just you being dramatic, your brain is actually getting rewired in real time!A new scientific study has revealed that when football fans watch their favourite team win or lose, it’s not just their hearts racing, their brains are lighting up in very specific ways. Using MRI scans, researchers found that fans’ emotions and self-control can be dramatically affected by the result, especially when playing a rival…Joining Andrea to discuss this is Off The Ball’s Kathleen McNamee, as well as listeners.

A recent rental report released by Daft.ie shows that there will continue to be a shortage in the supply of rental properties across the country. The report shows that there has been a 21% drop in homes available to rent across Ireland this year…The demand for accommodation is so high that people who are fortunate to find a place are living in subpar housing and paying way over budget.This is very much the case for students, but what are some of the experiences and stories of those young people trying to find accommodation?Andrea is joined by Ronan Lyons, Professor in Economics in Trinity College and author of the Daft report, Newstalk’s Meghan O’Halloran, VP for Wellbeing in DCU, Lauren Joyce and listeners.

For this week’s Ask the Expert, Andrea is joined by Trichologist Carol Johnson to answer any of your hair-related questions!

Today is International Single’s Day!Are you celebrating? Or is it something that’s actually costing you?There are many joys to being single - getting to pick out your own furniture, never having to go for dinner with the in-laws, being totally in control of the TV…But then there are the obvious downsides; paying a mortgage on your own, going to events on your own, never getting to have dinner with the in-laws…Joining Andrea to discuss the ups and downs of the single life is Journalist Andrea Smith, Founder of Irish beauty brand BeautybyCED.com Claire Clarkson and more.

Canadian actress Shay Mitchells recently launched a product of Rini, face masks which are designed for kids.Her announcement has caused quite the stir and backlash online, with many saying that skin care products shouldn't be pushed towards young kids…Joining Andrea to discuss this is Professor Catriona Ryan, Consultant Dermatologist at the Institute of Dermatologists, Psychotherapist and author Iseult White, Siobhan O’Neill White of Mams.ie and more.

All this week, Lunchtime Live is focusing on renters, and the issues they face in this current housing market.Today, Andrea is joined by Lucie Cunnimngham, Founder and CEO of THE Homeshare, a not for profit enterprise, as well as listeners, to discuss the issues facing older generations who are renting…

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 John Belton from No. 17 Personal Training to discuss the power of the squat!

Across the country, we’re beginning to see more and more Irish flags flying on flagpoles, roundabouts, homes, and buildings. For some, this display represents national pride and love for our country. For others, it’s being interpreted as a symbol of anti-immigration sentiment.When you see our tricolour, what does it mean to you? Should it stand for unity and pride in the Irish people, or does its use in this context take away from the spirit of Céad Míle Fáilte - a hundred thousand welcomes?