Morning Focus kicked off today with Managing Director of Shannon Airport, Andrew Murphy who discussed the technical problems with the Shannon Air Traffic Control Radar System.
This led to the closure of the majority of Irish airspace overnight and flights at Shannon and Cork Airports were suspended.
Co-owner and Manager of Hotel Woodstock, Séan Lally spoke about concerns over the raising of the tourism VAT rate. The Minister for Finance is seeking to increase the current 9% VAT rate on hotels, B&Bs and restaurants by at least 2%.
Former TD Tony Killeen joined us in studio to talk about the possibility of Brexit affecting the Good Friday Agreement in light of DUP leader Arlene Foster telling the Telegraph newspaper that the peace treaty could be changed to break the deadlock in reaching a deal.
Clare County Council Engineer, William Freney spoke to us about tackling litter in Clare. The council are seeking ideas from the public on a new litter plan for 2019 to 2021.
In the second hour of the show we heard about mental health first aid workshops in Spanish Point from Mary Crawford of St Joseph’s Secondary School and Donal Scanlan, Manager, Mental Health First Aid Ireland. The Mental Health Association of Ireland will deliver a new two-day course aimed at tackling suicide and mental health issues.
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Valerie Cox and Lorraine Dolan from Sage Advocacy informed us about what ‘next of kin’ really means. A recent Red C Poll revealed that there is massive confusion around what people believe the role entails. For further information contact Lorraine Dolan, Regional Coordinator for the MidWest region of Sage Advocacy ring 353 87 988 6738 or email [email protected] [email protected]
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Sorley McCaughey of Christian Aid discussed the Dáil debate over the tax treaty. However, as a result, Ireland could force Ghana to give up important tax rights.
Following on from the earlier segment we learnt about events which will be held in Ennis for Mental Health Week (October 8-13). To learn more about the week’s events visit https://www.mentalhealthireland.ie/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Ennis-Mental-Health-Week-2018.pdf
In the last hour of Morning Focus we heard from Marty Morrissey about his West Clare ‘Nationwide’ special which will air on RTÉ One tonight. Marty visits Kilrush and Scattery Island where a new tourism ferry service has launched and tells the story of Fr Martin Shanahan who was ordained as a priest at 70 years of age.
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Clare FM’s music guru Brian Flynn played the greatest song you’ve probably never heard and joined Gavin to talk forgotten music.
Margaret O’Brien, Festival and Event Coordinator for the Ennis Food Festival highlighted all the major events for next weekend. There will be a Bike Buffet which starts at the Rowan Tree Hostel, cycles around the town, up Lees road ans stops for lobster rolls in the woods served by Julia Hemmingway of Julia’s Lobster Truck.
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