Morning Focus – Friday 27/09/19

Today’s Morning Focus heard from this weeks Friday Panel, we discussed if we should be moving towards a four-day working week and we had a round-up of upcoming events.

Doirín Graham, CEO Clare Local Development Company, John Quinlivan, Former regional Manager of Shannon Development and Diarmuid McMahon, MD Sherry Fitzgerald McMahon joined us in studio as this weeks Friday Panel. They discussed a variety of topics. Firstly we heard the panel’s opinion of the fallout after UK courts found Boris Johnson acted ‘unlawfully’. Next, the panel made their views heard on the Local Property Tax increase. Finally, a new campaign has launched which has put forward the idea of four-day week, our panel discussed whether they thought this would be a feasible idea.

Listen back below:

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A campaign was launched this week for the introduction of a four-day working week.
‘4 Day Week Ireland’ insists such a move would not impact on productivity and could be introduced gradually. The British Labour Party says it would bring in a shorter working week in Britain if it wins an election. Director of Campaigning at Fórsa, Joe O’ Connor joined Gavin on air to say workers should benefit from the introduction of new technology.

On the show this week we’ve been discussing the impact of a rise in the Local Property Tax in County Clare – that’s set to increase by 15 percent from next year. The huge (and mainly negative) reaction from listeners got us thinking about the national controversy over the introduction of another major levy on householders – and that’s the ill-fated attempt to introduce water charges. Political Editor of The Sunday Business Post Michael Brennan has just launched a book on the topic. Entitled ‘In Deep Water’, it analyses the political bust-ups and street protests, and is particularly timely in light of the government’s move to increase carbon taxes in the forthcoming budget. Michael Brennan joined Gavin on air to discuss this topic further and to tell us more about his new book.

Listen back below:

Next on the show we had a round-up of upcoming events which are taking place around the County. A fascinating lecture is taking place next Monday night (Sept 20) in Ennistymon and it’s going to be delivered by Dr Christy Cunniffe, Community Archaeologist with Galway County Council. The talk, which takes place at the Courthouse Gallery, will examine the migration of Ultach (Ulster) settlers into the Sliabh Aughty Mountains at the end of the 1700s. Dr Cunniffe joined Gavin on air to tell us more. The Burren Ramble, which has become one of the major fundraisers for the RNLI, takes place this Sunday, September 29. People are to meet in the Fanore Beach car park at 11.30am on Sunday and it follows a 10km route through the Caher Valley Loop. Joe Queally, Ennis based fundraiser chatted to Gavin on air about the event.

Finally, on the show, Blackie O’Connell Musician and organiser of The Ennis Trad Festival joined Gavin in the studio to tell us more about the event which takes place November 7th-11th. The festival will feature superstars Moving Hearts, master classes and a festival favourite, the Trad Disco.