Tuesday’s Morning Focus brought listeners a range of lively topics from the stand-off between rail workers and Minister Shane Ross to the impact of the possible ‘latte levy’ on coffee drinkers in Ennis.
The show opened with a discussion on the possible introduction of tax on farmers for the production of greenhouse gases. That follows a resolution adopted by the Citizen’s Assembly at the weekend. Pat Flynn spoke to Clare IFA Chair Willie Hanrahan on the issue.
With a new Senior Alert Scheme up and running, community groups in the region are being urged to attend a meeting next week (November 16) at the Clayton Hotel in Limerick. Pat was joined by Richard Deane from Pobal to discuss the importance of signing up.
As the second full day of the national rail strike got underway, Pat was joined on the line by Dermot O’Leary of the National Bus and Rail Workers’ Union. They discussed a recent leaflet campaign by the NBRU which called the Transport Minister, ‘Rocket Ross’, because of his plans for a peace mission to North Korea.
Afterwards, Pat heard from Money Doctor John Lowe. Listen back below:
Then Prof Cathal O’Donohgue, the Dean of Arts at NUI Galway spoke to Morning Focus producer Fiona McGarry about his research (with Teagasc) on the imbalance in the economic recovery, between Dublin and the rest of the country.
Neil Enright of Molex was Pat’s next guest. He told Pat about a major conference of the Midwest Lean Network.
Clare County Dog Warden Frankie Coote was Pat’s next guest.
Then, Pat heard from Barry Sugrue a member of the national executive of Comnhairle na nÓg about the results of new research on issues affecting people aged 12 to 17. Listen back below:
Mary Crawford, organiser of commemorative events for the 1917 hunger strikers in Clare, then joined Pat to update him on her research work. Listen back below:
Clare FM’s Muireann Duffy was up next with a report from the streets of Ennis on a possible 15 percent tax on hot drinks served in non-recyclable cups. Listen back below:
The 24th Ennis Trad Fest was previewed, to wrap up the show, by renowned uilleann piper Blackie O’Connell and long-serving committee member, Seamus McMahon.
