Lunchtime Live Highlights

Some Dublin taxi drivers are operating a loophole to take fares in Drogheda, and local taxi drivers are not happy…Andrea is joined by taxi drivers to discuss what is going on.

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…

Despite efforts to reduce childcare costs, many Irish families continue to face significant financial burdens. Recent reports highlight that families paying up to €1,138 monthly for childcare receive a subsidy of €414, leaving them with a €724 out-of-pocket expense.To achieve the Government’s target of €200 monthly childcare costs, an additional €524 per child per month would be required.So, is the Government dropping the ball here?Joining Andrea to discuss is Siobhan O’Neill-White from mams.ie, as well as listeners.

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 9 to 12 of pregnancy, the end of the first trimester…

Big Brother is back, and this year, they want you! Big Brother bosses are keen for Irish contestants to apply. If you’ve got a big personality and aren’t afraid to be watched 24/7, this could be your moment.Andrea is joined by Ray Shah, former Big Brother Contestant, to discuss the application process, and what it’s really like inside the house.

Businessman Denis O’Brien has blasted working from home as “...a load of nonsense”.He claimed Ireland’s reputation as a place to do business is at risk, and working from home is now a threat to the economy, because it has caused a loss of competitiveness, energy, creativity and ideas.What do you think? Should we all be returning to the office?Joining Andrea to discuss is Neil McDonnell, CEO of ISME, Laura Bambrick, Social Policy Officer with the Irish Congress of Trade Unions and Larissa Feeney, CEO of Kinore.

An investigation has found that many children in Ireland may have undergone unnecessary hip surgeries at Children's Health Ireland…The probe could stretch back 15 years, raising serious questions about oversight, ethics, and patient safety.Joining Andrea to discuss this is Leader of Aontú, Peadar Tóibín and some of those affected.

For this week’s Ask the Expert, Andrea is joined by Dr. Justin Roche, Consultant Paediatrician at The National Tongue Tie Centre, to explain what tongue tie is, how it affects babies, and what can be done about it.

While you will no doubt be cheering on Norwegian singer Emmy who will be representing Ireland at the Eurovision semi finals on Thursday – there will be no harm in bopping to Croatia’s entry ‘Poison Cake’ appearing in the first leg of the semi-finals from Switzerland tonight. That is because the song was co-written by Balbriggan school teacher and singer-songwriter Ben Pyne, who joins Andrea to discuss! 98fm’s Russell Alford also joins to discuss Ireland’s chances.

The Vintners Federation of Ireland has called for a 40% rebate in excise on pints of beer sold in pubs.They say a rebate on draught beers would help protect rural pubs as the sector struggles with high costs.What do you think?Should rural pubs be given a tax rebate?Andrea is joined by listeners to discuss.