Morning Focus – 29/11/18

Morning Focus began today with a vox-pop from Clare FM reporter Ryan Hanton on whether swearing is now more acceptable.

A survey has revealed that more than one in ten nursery staff regularly hear children swearing.

Senator Martin Conway, FG member of Seanad Éireann joined us on air to discuss Shannon Commercial Properties being accused of ‘extortion’ over charges hike. Martin told the Seanad that companies in the Shannon Free Zone have been informed that the charge is to be hiked from 21 cent per square foot to 38 cent.

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Dr Micheál Collins, Assistant Professor of Social Policy, University College Dublin spoke about Taoiseach Leo Varadkar’s defence of the budget post criticism from government financial advisers. The Irish Fiscal Advisory Council says spending levels in Budget 2019 are beyond safe levels and leave the country open to shocks like Brexit.

In the second hour of the show Cllr Pat Hayes, FF member of Killaloe MD, Clare Co Co, Martin McMahon, Clare Chair ICMSA and Eddie Punch, General Secretary ICSA took part in a panel discussion. They discussed issues in East Clare farming such as vulture funds, soil fertility and carbon controls.

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Anne Rynne informed us about the issue of people sleeping rough in Ennis. A huge concert performed by Clare Christmas Choir and special guests Hothouse Flowers will take place at glór, Ennis next Monday (December 3)to fund a Christmas dinner for those in Ennis without a roof over their heads. All profits from this event will be donated to Molloy’s Butchers and used for the Christmas Dinner for the Homeless in Clare.

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Fiona Penollar, Head of the Passport Service informed us about upgrades in passport services. All Irish citizens can now renew their passports online 24 hours a day, seven days a week, anywhere in the world. Renewing passports online is €5 cheaper and the Passport Service promises a turnaround time of ten working days.

In the last hour of Morning Focus we had a panel discussion with Christine O’Brien, Ardboula B&B, Tulla & secretary Tourism East Clare and Eoin O’Hagan, Director, Derg Boat Trips on East Clare tourism. They spoke about Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands, the Killaloe Blue Way, Holy Island and the Shannon Greenway.

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Then, we heard from the Cairde group which bring young and old together through St Joseph’s Secondary School, Tulla. They meet every Tuesday and they share stories about their social lives as young people and memories of bygone days.

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Concertina player, Mary McNamara joined us to play some live music. Mary’s albums include ‘The Lady’s Cup of Tea’ and ‘Note for Note.’

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