A number of listeners had been in touch with Morning Focus to voice concerns about recent changes to the speed limit on routes around the county.
These are due to a detailed two-year consultation which looked at roads around the county, and heard a wide range of views from local communities and public representatives. Paul Moroney Firefighter & former member of Kilrush Town Council has been airing his thoughts on changes to the limit on the route from Kilrush to Ennis. He says that while he understands the importance of restrictions, the situation could potentially create a greater risk of accidents.
If you work in the hospitality sector, you will understand how important tips can be. But, as we know from a number of high profile cases, it’s not always the case that the money that’s given in tips goes to the people it’s intended for. Senator Paul Gavan, a Limerick-based Sinn Féin member has been doing some intensive research in the area and has been pushing a new piece of legislation on the issue – it went to a vote in the Seanad last night However, it seems the Government went one better with the Social Protection Minister announcing this week that the government is to put forwards its own law (meaning that tips can’t be put towards basic pay and premises must display their policy on how tips are allocated). Brian O’Neill from The Rowan Tree Cafe Ennis told of how tips work in his establishment.
Calls are being made on the government and on the ESB to provide clarity on the future of Moneypoint, where the buring of coal is due to come to an end by 2025. Already, though, the slow-down has started, and it’s understood the station will be running only winter operations, and that there’s no guarantee that the plant will continue to operate at all until 2025. For its part, the ESB says it’s “confident” that Moneypoint will play a key role in Ireland’s future low carbon energy system, and says it’s committed to engaging with stakeholders on the challenges associated with its transition away from coal. Cllr. Ian Lynch for the Kilrush Electoral area and Rita McInerney who is a Fianna Fail Candidate for the General Elections spoke to Gavin on the show.
All of our senses are precious, but our hearing is particularly important – that’s why any loss can leave you feeling isolated and unable to enjoy the company of friends and family to the full. And, if you think it’s just a problem for older people, you’d be mistaken. Research suggest that more than 80,000 Irish people of working age are currently dealing with a significant level of hearing loss and by the time we reach 60, one in three of us will have experienced significant hearing loss. Una Maguire an Audiologist at Blackberry Hearing for the Ennis Family Medical Centre joined us on the program to tell us why we loose our hearing.
Can we make social media a more positive force? We are embedded more deeply than ever into the sphere of social media. While there are lots and lots of positives to connecting online; there are rising concerns about destructive aspects like cyber bullying, trolling, fake news and incitement to hatred. Michael Sanders, Reader in Public Policy at King’s College London is a leading expert on social behaviour and he’s been reflecting on ways that individuals and groups can reclaim the positive power of social media.
Siobhán Mulcahy- Arts Officer for Clare joined us to give us an update about whats going on around Clare.
Visual Arts Charles Harper in New Quay
Music Doolin Folk Festival Weds – Riches of Clare
Cruinniú
Friday – East Clare
– West Clare
– Ennis
Saturday – Ennis
North Clare – Ennistymon & New Quay
West Clare – Kilkee, Scattery Island & Kilrush, Shannon
