Morning Focus – 16/11/18

Joe Russell of Trump Doonbeg pictured with the overall award for his Ocean View Restaurant at the Clare Business Excellence Awards

The last Morning Focus of the week kicked off with Senator Martin Conway who spoke to guest presenter Pat Flynn about the Fine Gael Árd Fheis amid Brexit uncertainty.

The Ennistymon-based Fine Gael member of Seanad Éireann discussed the ongoing efforts to get a withdrawal treaty across the line.

Vincent Jennings, The Convenience Stores & Newsagents Association (CSNA) urged Clare retailers to enforce rules for selling cigarettes to those under age. The Show Me ID Awareness campaign has come to Clare and retailers are being encouraged to ensure that staff are aware of the regulations.

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Cllr Mike McKee, Sinn Féin Election candidate and member of Shannon MD informed us about his motion to take stronger measures to keep roads clear. It has been argued that some roads in Clare are too narrow for cycle lanes. Cllr McKee has also tabled a motion asking that CCTV be trialled at a local estate to try and curb anti-social behaviour.

In the second hour of the show we had plenty of coverage of the Ennis Chamber Clare Business Excellence Awards. The 2018 Ennis Chamber Clare Business Excellence Awards took place in Treacy’s West County Hotel last night. Across 13 categories, businesses in every area of Clare were commended for their hard work over the last 12 months. Joe Russell of Trump Doonbeg won the overall award for his Ocean View Restaurant. We also heard from Darragh McAllister, Lucas’ Bar, Ennis who received the award for best licenced premises in Clare.

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Clare FM’s Fiona McGarry spoke to TD Timmy Dooley about Brexit. He feels that attempts by some to claim a victory for Ireland are premature and unhelpful. He gave his reactions to the draft withdrawal agreement.

Comedian and children’s author Jason Byrne told us about his new children’s book. The book centers around ordinary kid Onion O’Brien who is growing up in the suburbs where nothing ever happens except to him.

In the final hour of Morning Focus we had our regular Friday Panel discussion with Bernadette Kenny, CEO of Bluebox charity, Doirín Graham, CEO, Clare Local Development Company and Gearóid Howard, Crimmins Howard Solicitors, Shannon. This week’s topics were what’s next in the Brexit saga, whether it’s time to reform the rape trial system and if they believe in alien life.

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Fr Brendan Quinlivan and Hugh Gallagher told us about the Ennis Players stage supper theatre series. The play ‘The Quiet Land’ is directed by Geraldine Greene and features the aforementioned men as two elderly neighbours who feel abandoned by the authorities but cope with humour and resilience. The play will run from next Monday evening (Nov 19) to Thursday, at the Old Ground Hotel, Ennis.

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