Morning Focus – Wednesday 26th June

We started Wednesday’s Morning Focus with concerns raised about an encampment of caravans on lands close to the Skehanagh roundabout, on the Ennis by-pass.

Over the last few weeks, a large number of mobile homes have moved onto lands on one of the main approach roads to the town – prompting concerns about sanitation at the site, as well as the fact that the encampment will be visible to man travelling from the south to the Dubai Irish Open which gets underway in Lahinch next Tuesday.  We got in touch with the new Mayor of the Ennis Municipal Cllr Johnny Flynn for his views on the situation.

The government may have to borrow large amounts to meet the cost of a no-deal Brexit. Despite that, the Finance Minister has said tax cuts could still go ahead if the UK crashes out. Paschal Donohoe announced the Summer Economic Statement earlier, which sets out the budget plans for a hard and soft Brexit.

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As you’re probably aware, the plan to bring broadband to rural Ireland has been fraught with controversy over its cost. Despite reservations of some senior civil servants, the Cabinet last month approved the plan, which will see the State investing up to €3 billion.

Yesterday, the story took another twist as Eir has told TDs and Senators that it could complete the National Broadband Plan for less than €1 billion, just a third of the sum the State has agreed to invest in the project and a fifth of the estimated final cost. Carolan Lennon, the company’s chief executive, told the Oireachtas Communications Committee that it’s clear Eir could build rural fibre infrastructure at a lower cost than is currently envisaged. Later today the ESB (who also pulled out of the bidding process) will appear before TD s and senators. Dep Timmy Dooley FF TD for Clare is a member of the Communications Committee and he’s joined Pat over the phone to discuss the matter further.

800 support staff are at  University Hospital are on the picket line since 8 this morning in a row over pay with a considerable disruption for patients. Around 10,000 support workers at 38 facilities nationwide (including UHL, University Maternity Hospital Limerick & Croom Orthapedic Hospital) are striking in a row over a jobs evaluation scheme, with SIPTU claiming members – who include cleaners, chefs and porters – are owed around €16 million. Clare FM’s James Mulhall is at UHL this morning and he’s on the line now.

Ask the GP – Dr Máire Finn from Ennis Family Medical Centre  joins us int he studio to answer all your general health queries

A team of staff and students from UL Hospitals Group and the University of Limerick has flown out to Ghana for the final phase of a joint effort to establish a pre-hospital emergency care training programme in the remote Upper West region of the African nation. Now in its third year, ‘Learning for Lives – Ghana’, a collaborative programme run by UL Hospitals and UL in partnership with the national health service of Ghana, has provided primary healthcare staff in the Upper West and its capital Wa with crucial life-saving skills that will benefit the almost one-million strong population of the region. Frank Keane who is a  Senior Fellow Paramedic Studies for  University of Limerick joined Pat Flynn to explain a  how the ULHG have helped to establish a pre-hospital emergency care training programme in Wa.

The Clare Branch of the Samaritans are holding a Bingo Night tonight in Newmarket on Fergus Community Hall.  Bingo starts at 8pm and all are welcome.