The Monday edition of Morning Focus got off to a lively start, with debate over the future of Men’s Sheds in Clare in the face of rising insurance premiums, the axing of zero hours contracts and new guidelines on social media regulation, piloted in Clare.
The show opened with a look at the issue of zero hours contracts which the government has pledged to ban in the coming months. The employers’ federation, IBEC is opposed to the move and Gavin spoke to Mairead Crosby Spokesperson for IBEC Midwest and Kerry.
The Men’s Shed movement has been doing wonderful work around the world, offering a space for men to meet and work together. However, in recent times, insurance premiums for their activities have been rising. The shed in Shannon has seen its premium increase four-fold in a year. Gavin was joined on the line by Bernard Walsh from the shed in Shannon and by Flan Hehir of from the Ennis Men’s Shed.
Councillor PJ Ryan was Gavin’s next guest. He’s concerned that no new Garda recruits have been assigned to Clare from the latest round of graduates.
The Ambassador for the Mission of the State of Palestine to Ireland will visit Doolin this week and Gavin spoke to his Excellency Ahmad Abdelrakek in advance of this.
Clare Youth Service received a visit last week from Minister Katherine Zappone as they launched new social media guidelines. Gavin was joined in studio by Brian McManus, while Clare FM’s Muireann Duffy went out and about to get the views of some Ennis people on social media regulation. Gavin also heard from Irene Guedon from McAffee and Matthew Seebach from Youth Work Ireland.
Listen back below:
As we approach the 100th anniversary of the securing of the vote for women, Gavin was joined on the line by Margaret Ward, who’s written a new book on Hanna Sheehy Skeffington.
The Monday Sports Panel was made up of Clare FM’s Derrick Lynch and Eoin Brennan of The Clare People. Listen back below:
With an event in West Clare to remember the legendary singer Delia Murphy, Gavin was joined by her niece Carmen Cullen and by Séamus Mac Mathúna of Oidhreacht an Chláir. Listen back below:
The show rounded off with a visit from Catherine Ireton, associate artist with glór, ahead of her show ‘For all the fires not yet lit’. Listen back below:
