Today on Morning Focus, we were joined on the show by the four newly elected TD’s.
Firstly Joe Carey, Fine Gael TD and Michael McNamara, Independent TD joined us on-air and later on, we were joined by Violet-Anne Wynne, Sinn Féin TD and Cathal Crowe Fianna Fáil TD to gage how they found the experience of the count and to discuss what their role will be in the formation of the next government.
If you missed it, you can listen back below:
Before that on the show, we were joined on the line be Sean Defoe, Group Political Editor to discuss how all 160 seats have been filled in the 33rd Dáil. Fianna Fáil are the largest party on 38, closely followed by Sinn Féin on 37 and Fine Gael on 35. The Green Party has 12 while Labour and the Social Democrats have six each. The numbers mean it will be a complicated process to find a majority in the Dail.
If you missed it, you can listen back below:
Next, we spoke to Barry Aldworth, Senior Media Officer, AA Ireland as there is a proposal to double penalty points on Bank Holiday Weekends. Gardaí are considering the measure in a bid to clamp down on dangerous driving at high-risk times. The ‘double trouble’ system is already in operation in some parts of Australia. It would need changes in legislation before it’s introduced here.
Then Clare Crime Prevention Officer, Sergeant Tríona O’Rourke joined us in studio as Gardaí asked for your help solving local crimes.
Denise Cusack, Ulster Bank Community Protection Advisor joined us on-air briefly as it is Valentines week people are warned to be vigilant of romance scams. Ulster Bank are among those advising people of the threat posed by the scams which see criminals using websites, apps or social media and persuade them to send them money or give them enough personal info to steal their identities. Ulster Bank’s Community Protection Advisor, Denise Cusack says these crimes often go unreported or unidentified.
To wrap up the show, we were joined by Clare County Dog Warden Frankie Coote for an Animal Welfare Update.
