On today's Morning Focus with Gavin Grace
Threat of industrial action by the INMO – The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation is to ballot nurses on industrial action next month if 'significant progress' is not made on critical Emergency Department issues. The decision follows a review of yesterday's meeting with nursing representatives. The INMO wants the HSE to engage with them on staffing levels, health and safety reviews in ED's and increased access to diagnostics for nurses. INMO General Secretary, Liam Doran, says nurses are beyond breaking point.
Renua's tax plan – Ahead of the Budget next week, RENUA Ireland is proposing a 'flat tax' of 23 percent. The party has issued a 20- point tax plan which would also people to work for fewer hours for the same take home pay and free up more time for parenting and other activities. Eddi Hobbs, President of Renua Ireladn spoke to Gavin about this.
Yesterday, the EU's Highest Court ruled that the data sharing agreement between Europe and the US is invalid, meaning, potentially, that information can no longer be shared across the Atlantic. The ECJ ruling relates to a case brought to the Irish High Court by Austrian citizen Max Schrems over the transfer of data to the US by an Irish subsidiary of Facebook. The Irish Data Protection Commissioner says the judgement will be considered by the High Court in the coming weeks. Simon McGarr – a solicitor who represents Digital Rights Ireland – says the Data Commissioner needs to look into whether information should be shared with the US.
2.5 million euro in funding has been announced for storm damage and coastal repairs in County Clare. It consists of 1.2 million euro in funding yet to be drawn down by Clare County Council as part of an 8 milllion euro allocation by the OPW for storm works. While a further €1.4 million is now also being provided for additional works. Part of the money will go towards the repair and strengthening of embankments at Ballynacally, Kildysart, Labasheeda, Kilimer, Doonbeg, Loughdonnell and Farrihy. Hundreds of acres of farm land were submerged following storm weather in early 2014 and Clare TD Pat Breen hopes repair works will begin in the coming months.
Whether you have a food intolerance or you simply want to find recipes that help you look and feel better, Nevin Maguire's new book offers a healthy twist on everyday favourites and classic dishes. The Nation’s Favourite Healthy Food is hot off the presses and we're joined on the line by Nevin to chat about what we can all do to eat more healthily – without losing out on taste.
While we often hear about challenges facing our health system here in the midwestern region, it's important to note that cutting edge research is also being carried out. Listeners will probabay have seen the new 5-story development on the UHL campus – that's the CERC (Clinical Research and Education Building) which is set to establish the centre as a leading hospital for research. On Friday, UL Hospitals will showcase their research activity at their 3rd annual research symposium at the Strand Hotel. This event will hear about research undertaken in this region by clinicians, academics and students. Prof Paul Finnucane – who set up the medical school at UL – is Chief Academic Officer with UL Hospitals and he joined us on the line.
Lifebouy makes 6,000km journey to Clare. Kilkee Coastguard made an unusual discovery recently when they found a US coastguard life ring thousands of kilometres from where it was lost overboard in Florida. The buoy, which had a strobe light attached, were washed ashore near Byrnes Cove in Kilkee and spotted by the crew of the Shannon-based search and rescue helicopter. A rescue boat crew was sent to remove the object so that it wouldn’t prove a hindrance or cause false alarms during a search that was taking place in the area at the time. Martoni Vaughan of the Kilkee Coastguard spoke to Gavin about the discovery.
A Tyrone native is sweeping down the Wild Atlantic Way with a unique mobile bar, that's set to pop up at events the length and breath of Ireland. The Dungloe Baravan is a 25-year-old caravan converted into a bar. While you may have had to travel down many of rocky country lane to the wildest locations to get to the authentic old Irish pub, that looks set to change thanks to The Baravan – which takes a unique twist on the traditional Irish pub. It’s a one-off, the first of its kind in the country, and an exciting new arrival on the social scene.
When columnist and feature writer Tanya Sweeney gave her support to a campaign to raise awareness of the number of Irish women who choose to have an abortion, she was shocked by the online backlash. She says she's never faced the dilemma of an unplanned pregnancy – and the prospect of an abortion – thanks to what she calls 'sheer luck'. She's been writing about her own experiences and those of her friends, as well as the backlash on Twitter for women who choose to speak out on the issue. She spoke to Gavin this morning about why she wrote this controversial article.
Caroline Collins Of Ennis Bookshop reviewed the following books;
Around the Farm Gate – A Treasure Trove of Stories from 50 Authors edited by PJ Cunningham. This is a collection of short stories capturing Irish Rural Life in the latter part of the 20th century.
What Matters – Reflections on Important Things in Life by Mary Kennedy. The RTE broadcaster Mary Kennedy has recently published this book and reflects on her life and the things that are most important in it.
