We began this morning's show with overcrowding at University Hospital Limerick. In four days, 146 people have been awaiting admission to UHL, according to figures from the INMO which show that many of these people have been on trolleys in the hospital's emergency department. We heard earlier in the week from nursing staff who outlined their concerns, and how this could make it difficult to recruit staff for the new Emergency Department that's due to open next spring. Last evening, UL Hospitals Group CEO Colette Cowan spoke to Clare FM's Ronan Moyles at an event launching a new 3 million euro Breast Unit. She outlined how they've been monitoring this week's situation
Then we returned to the Brexit fall-out. The full impact of the Brexit referendum on Ireland is still being debated – two weeks after the landmark vote. Yesterday (Thurs.) a leading economic forum gave a reassurance that there won't be any impact on the forthcoming Budget. The Nevin Economic Research Institute does warn, however, that Brexit is likely to have significant and negative implications for both the Irish and EU economies. Against that backdrop, it advises the Irish government focus on investment in productive infrastructure and research, rather than tax cuts. Ennis man, Micheal Collins, Senior Economist/Senior Research Officer at the Nevin Economic Research Institute was on the line to tell us more.
Next we heard from a Lahinch woman competing in the European transplant games. Kidney transplant recipient Marie O'Connor, is hoping to add to her impressive haul of medals when she represents Ireland for the sixth time as part of Transplant Team Ireland next week (W_C July 11). She's travelling tomorrow (Sat. July 9) as part of the 29 strong team to the European Transplant & Dialysis Sports Championships in Vantaa, Finland. The Lahinch native underwent her first kidney transplant in 1998 and two years later received her second transplant. Since then, Marie's enjoyed great success at international transplant sports events in Slovenia, Poland, Canada, Bangkok and Germany. An avid golfer, Marie, now in her fifties, has taken a gold medal in each country. She's also performed remarkably well in track and field particularly in the 100m and 200m sprint events. Next week, she'll compete in both golf and track and field competitions. Marie spoke to Gavin about the upcoming competition.
After the break we had our weekly Friday Panel. Sharon Cahir Cahir and Co. Solicitors, Ennis John Considine Former member of Humberside County Council and member of British Labour Party, Ennis Bob Vernon West Clare Taking Care were all in studio. They dicussed the Chilcot Report, New Politics, Charity Scandal and Busking.
Finally today, we heard about music, theatre and dancing arouond the streets of Ennis. All week long events have been taking place across town as part of the 11th annual Ennis Street Arts Festival. With everything from Hungarian dancers to a musical menagerie to a duck race, there's something for everyone. The action continues this weekend as one of the festival highlights Eoghan Neff, brings his avant-guarde sounds to Coláiste Muire, College Road at 7 on Saturday. Eoghan Neff is an improvisational Irish fiddle-player, composer and lecturer at the Limerick Institute of Technology and he joined Gavin in studio for a chat and a few tunes.
