Lunchtime Live

Is religion a barrier to getting a job as a primary school teacher?In interviews for teaching jobs at many primary schools, a certificate in Religious Studies is a requirement for teaching religion.However, some say that this means many new teachers are having to uphold something they don’t believe in…Should teachers have to have this certificate?To discuss, Andrea is joined by Peter Melrose, Primary Teacher and Soc Dem Cllr, Aoife Cassidy, Parent Representative and qualified Solicitor, Jennifer Horgan, Teacher and Irish Examiner columnist and Simon Lewis, Principal and host of the ‘If I was Minister for Education’ podcast.

Dr Nina Byrnes, GP at Generation Health Medical Clinic joined Andrea to tackle your medical queries…

After seeing the consequence of fast fashion during a trip to Africa, Mary Fleming was inspired to try and make a difference here in Ireland. She established Change Clothes.Mary joins Andrea to discuss more.Image: @changeclothesdublin

When Sharron McSherry was just 14, she started to suffer with debilitating migraines and kept falling asleep in school. Years went by and doctors couldn’t understand what the problem was. When she was 27, her parents happened upon a documentary on TV that would change her life…Sharon joins Andrea to share her story.

This is Lunchtime Live’s Big Batch. Every Monday we’ll be learning new easy to cook batch recipes to keep you eating well. No more staring into an open fridge looking for inspiration!This week, Andrea is joined by Adrian Martin, owner of the Wild Flower Bistro in Temple Bar to look at the different kinds of bread you can batch cook!Follow the hashtag #LLBigBatch for all our recipes.

If you are a Dublin Bus user you might notice that, today, they are introducing new private security to curb anti-social behaviour on their service. The 20-week pilot will comprise two dedicated mobile units: one on Dublin’s southside and another on the northside.What do you think? Security on our buses, is it needed?Andrea is joined by listeners to discuss.

Every Friday, as part of our ‘Ask Me Anything’ series, we put your questions to people from interesting backgrounds or working in different careers.This week, Adrian Kennedy was joined by naturist Kate Turner from the Irish Naturist Association to answer your questions.

There was very sad news today about a five week old baby that was found unresponsive after he had been carried around in a sling by his mother.It’s sure to worry a lot of parents today who own slings – and might be afraid to use them from now on…Adrian Kennedy is joined by Dr Afif El-Khuffash, Consultant Neonatologist and Paediatrician to discuss how to use one.

In a bold new effort to tackle New York City's infamous pest problem, city officials have approved a pilot programme that aims to control the rodent population with birth control.Starting next year, contraceptive pellets will be placed in rat-friendly traps in a section of Manhattan. Once ingested, it will make them infertile.What do you think about this approach? Is it something that might work here?Adrian Kennedy is joined by Éanna Ní Lamhna, Broadcaster and author, Trevor Hayden from Complete Pest Control and more to discuss.

A new horror sequel, Terrifier 3, was screened in the UK this week. Cinema goers were apparently left ‘traumatised’, with walkouts and one person even vomiting in the cinema.But, why do we put ourselves through such terror?To discuss, Adrian Kennedy is joined by Entertainment Journalist Rory Cashin, Dr Sarah Cleary, who holds a PhD in horror from Trinity and Psychiatrist Brendan Kelly.