Lunchtime Live

The Office of Public Works have culled more than 118 deer in Phoenix Park since the beginning of last year. It comes after they have paid €17,000 to snipers to manage the deer population in the capital.UCD, who tag fawns and keep track of the deer population in the park, found that the way deer were being targeted for culls by the OPW up to 2018 was “not a recommended approach”.The report recommended that “at least 65 individuals” should be targeted during each culling season in order to keep the deer population in the Phoenix Park “stable and sustainable”.Is culling deer the best approach to managing this population, or are there alternative measures to manage these animals?Joining Andrea to discuss is John Tierney from the Association of Hunt Saboteurs, as well as listeners.

A record number of secondary school students were offered Irish exemptions in the 2024-2025 school year, according to figures from a TG4 Investigates series due to be broadcast tonight.Over 60,000 students were not required to study Irish, up more than 5,000 from the previous year…The Director of the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals, Paul Crone, claimed that part of the reason for this is the pressure put on principals by parents.Joining Andrea to discuss this is Eric Nelligan, Assistant Principal and member of Aontú, Bill Clear, local Naas Councillor, Aodhán O’Dea. Director of Development with Conradh na Gaeilge, Lisa O’Sullivan Shaw (@modernirishmom on Instagram) and more.

For this week’s Ask the Expert, Andrea is joined by Chartered Physiotherapist Tony Spain to answer your physio questions!

People are paying to have spiders removed from their homes!According to the app Airtasker, where you can hire tradespeople, people are paying up to €600 to have people come to their homes and remove spiders…Does this seem bonkers or totally reasonable to you?Trevor Hayden, from Complete Pest Control, Collie Ennis, Zoology Research Associate at Trinity College Dublin and Biodiversity Officer and Dr John Francis Leader Psychologist from JFL.com join Andrea to discuss.

The household waste collection system could be due for a revamp. Bin companies may start to take ­responsibility for an entire geographic area rather than competing for customers on the same street.The new change, however, may come at a cost to customers as they will no longer be in competition with one another, meaning companies will have full control over their costs.We want to know what do our listeners feel about the change, would you like to only have one bin provider in your locality?Joining Andrea to discuss is former Irish Rugby International and owner of AWD Waste Solutions Shane Byrne, Consumer Journalist with the Irish Independent and Presenter of the Home Show on Newstalk, Sinead Ryan and listeners.

Since arriving on Irish television, The Traitors has become an instant nationwide hit, as viewers have been sucked into the fun, games and treachery playing out in Slane Castle.With the final episode set to air tonight, who do you think will win the competition, and what has been your favourite moment so far?Joining Andrea to discuss is Chrissie Russell. Feature Writer with the Independent, Eoin Sheahan from Off The Ball and listeners.

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 Nutritionist Aileen Cox Blundell (@babyledfeeding on Instagram) to talk about her line of work!

Minister for Education Helen McEntee wants works by William Shakespeare to remain compulsory for Leaving Cert English.Policymakers had proposed that it be optional for higher level students…What do you think, should it stay the way it is, or should students have a choice?Joining Andrea to discuss is Conor Murphy, English teacher in Skibbereen Community School, Dr. Ellen Howley, Assistant Professor at DCU’s School of English and listeners.

Dr Nina Byrnes, GP at Generation Health Medical Clinic joined guest host Anna Daly to tackle your medical queries...

Dunnes Stores have gotten into a little bit of legal trouble with one of their new products. Longchamp, the luxury French bagmaker, are alleging that Dunnes stole their idea for a bag, but Dunnes claim they’ve done nothing wrong. Are similar fashion products theft? Or is it all part of the industry?And, do you buy so-called ‘dupe’ products?Joining guest host Anna Daly to discuss is Esther McCarthy, Life and Style Features Editor at the Irish Examiner and Jacinta Carraher, owner of Purple Peach.Images: Dunnes, Longchamp