On a packed Tuesday edition of Morning Focus, listeners heard about a recent spike in the number of strandings of dolphins on the west coast.
The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group is currently carrying out autopsies on four dolphins which washed up on beaches on the west coast at the end of last month. Two were found in Kerry, one in Connemara and another in Donegal, and the IWDG is expecting more strandings in the coming weeks.
In 2018, there were 260 marine mammals washed up on Irish shores – the highest number since records began 25 years ago. Listen back below:
Last November, the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group together with GMIT and UCC published a study of the impact of marine debris on whales, porpoises and dolphins – more than eight percent had swallowed marine debris, while microplastics were discovered in all of the mammals examined.
Gavin spoke with Dr Simon Berrow, Chief Scientific Officer, Irish Whale and Dolphin Group.
The show opened with a discussion of the problem of illegal dumping. It continues to dog the county and concerns always increase as we approach the tourism season. A possible solution’s been proposed by three members of Clare County Council (Michael Begley, Michael Hillery and John Crowe), who’ve asked the authority to look at the possibility of using Eircode information to track how people are disposing of waste.
Gavin was joined by Cllr Michael Begley, Independent member of Killaloe MD, Clare Co Co.
Then, there was a discussion of Shannon Airport. It came on foot of an announcement by Ryanair last week that it’s to add two new UK routes (to Liverpool and Bristol) and increased frequency on its Manchester service from Shannon.
In light of this, and other recent developments, one of Clare’s Fine Gael TDs is calling on critics to stop undermining the airport.
Deputy Joe Carey said there were criticisms that were ‘unfair and unfounded’ with some people writing off Shannon as a failure. According to the Clarecastle-based TD, these are the same people who were opposed to it achieving its independence from the Dublin Airport Authority and becoming a publicly owned commercial airport in January 2013.
To respond to Dep Carey’s statement, Gavin was joined by Dep Timmy Dooley.
Then, the show heard from the Heart Foundation, who say a new voluntary junk food code is ‘doomed’
The code which aims to to regulate advertising of sugary and salty foods was launched last week.
The code was launched by the Department of Health in a bid to reduce our consumption of junk food, but it remains voluntary and it drew mixed reaction from health agencies with the Irish Heart Foundation warning that because it is not mandatory it is “doomed to failure.” Chris Macey, Head of Advocacy has been speaking to Morning Focus Producer, Fiona McGarry and he began by outlining the organisations concerns about the marketing of junk food to children.
Then, it was time for some financial advice from Tommy Corbett of Carey Corbett Financial Services, Roslevan, Ennis. Tommy offered some expert tips on the issues around redundancy and changing jobs.
Listen back below:
Then, it was time for a visit from Frankie Coote, Clare County Dog Warden, for his weekly update on animal welfare issues.
The show then heard about a Lough Derg Blueway networking event at The Killaloe Hotel, Kincora Harbour, Killaloe today (Tuesday, 20 February) from 09:00 to 14:30 (GMT). Guest speakers include Bobby Kerr (entrepreneur and businessman) and Pól Ó Conghaile (Travel Expert, Writer & Editor).
Gavin was joined on the line by Deirdre O’Shea, Administrative Officer, Rural Development, Clare County Council.
Then, the show explored issues around allegations of inappropriate behaviour of a number of staff of a UK NGO in Haiti. Gavin’s next guest, Director of the Irish overseas development charity, Trócaire, and is among those condemning those involved.
Eamonn Meehan, from Kilmaley, told the show that staff at Trócaire have shared the horror felt by people all over Ireland, and indeed the world, at what has been revealed. Listen back below:
Then the show looked at one of Ennis’s many charms – its network of laneways, weaving through its streetscape
Clare County Council, together with the Heritage Council and Nicholas de Jong Associates, is preparing a design project to revitalise them.
To facilitate that, there’s a public information evening tonight (Feb 20) from 5 to 7pm at the Old Ground Hotel.
Ahead of that, Gavin was joined by Congella Maguire, Heritage Officer, Clare County Council.
The show concluded with a discussion about a worrying rise in the number of young people who are obsessed with ‘perfectionism’.
New research shows the amount imposing unrealistic standards on themselves has increased by 16 percent over the last few years.
Social media is one reason the trend is on the rise.
But, Author and Psychotherapist, Stella O’Malley – who joined Gavin on the line – says the obsession has been emerging for a number of decades. Listen back below:
