The Minister for Communications Pat Rabbitte has announced plans to replace the TV Licence with a new broadcasting charge
Technological advances mean less people use traditional TV sets but laptops and phones to access broadcasting
On Thursday’s Morning Focus John Cooke was joined by Michael O’Regan, Parliamentary Correspondent
The Irish Times
Michael also said that officials from the EU and the IMF are expected to confirm today that Ireland continues to meet its targets under the terms of the bailout deal – VCR
Members of the Troika are concluding their latest assessment of the 85 billion euro bailout deal
Minister for Finance Michael Noonan and Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Brendan Howlin will outline their views on the programme so far later this morning
The government is being asked to provide grant assistance to Clare homeowners who could be hit with the cost of upgrading Septic Ranks in the near future
A special meeting of Clare County Council last evening, heard the new Water Services Amendment Bill will require some 31,000 householders in Clare to register their Septic Tanks at a cost of 50 euro, but many fear higher costs are to come
The bill will bring Ireland into compliance with a European Court ruling on the environment, and though there are no costs for inspections, councillors say there are real worries around the county that improvement works could cost thousands
John discussed with Councillors PJ Kelly of Lissycasey and PJ Ryan of Sixmilebridge and Jim Connolly of Rural Resettlement Ireland.
Have your say on our new www.clare.fm online poll
The government insists Ireland won’t need a second bailout- do you believe them?
• Yes -18%
• No – 74%
• Don’t know -8%
Loop Head Lighthouse will reopen to the public later this year following a successful trial scheme that resulted in an estimated 17,000 people visiting the historic west Clare landmark during an 11-week period in 2011
Shannon Development are delighted to bring their expertise in tourism product development to this unique visitor attraction through our involvement in the next phase of the project in partnership with Clare County Council
They believe the new exhibition will further enhance the tourism product offering at Loop Head Lighthouse and will continue to draw additional visitors to this spectacular area of West Clare
Ruairi Deane, Tourism Product Development Executive with Shannon Development and Oliver Garry, the Chairperson of the West Clare Economic Task Force had a word with John.
The Junior Health Minister Roisin Shorthall has criticised parents who allow young people to drink at home – even if they are trying to foster a more responsible attitude to alcohol
Minister Shorthall says giving drink to children could contribute to substance abuse in later life
But Jackie O’Callaghan of the National Parents Council said parents should give children small amounts of alcohol when they are at home
Up-Skilling is of vital importance – Griffith College in Limeric have experienced a huge increase in numbers that is reflected in many third level institutions
The demographic of enrolees has changed dramatically – many of are people who have been made redundant
Companies are now contacting them to
They expect to be awarded Springboard funding as they have been in the past few years for the delivery of courses
The Springboard funding is an initiative for unemployed people to gain qualifications and to up-skill so as to enable them gain employment in sectors where skills shortages have been identified
Niamh Ni Aodha of Griffith College, Limerick encouraged interested people to check out www.bluebrick.ie
Kilrush native Paul O’Brien is to give a lecture on the contributions of the Glynn family to Kilrush at this year’s first meeting of the Clare Roots Society in Civic Rooms, Drumbiggle tonight
The Glynn’s were one of West Clare’s best known business families
The 31 year old is a history tutor in Mary Immaculate College, Limerick whilst doing his PhD
Chairperson of the Mary Immaculate History Society, member of Kilrush Local History Group and volunteers as a guide in the Hunt Museum, Limerick
John Underhill of Burren Vets joined John to answer your animal health queries.
Contact the Morning Focus team on [email protected]
