Morning Focus began with a look at workers seeking a bigger slice of the economic recovery. A cabinet Minister has warned that major pay increases could be "repeating the mistakes of the past". Leo Varadkar says increases to private sector wages could make Ireland less competitive and result in jobs actually being lost. Unions have indicated plans for a 4% pay increase next year, the Minister has warned about unsustainable demands. Gavin was joined on the line by Gerry McCormack, Divisional Organiser, Manufacturing, SIPTU.
Talk then turned to the ever popular Shannon Airport. Shannon Airport says it has achieved a key milestone with its latest route announcement. Lufthansa will operate a once-a-week return service to Frankfurt, beginning at the end of April and running on Saturdays through to the end of October. Andrew Murphy, Shannon's Chief Commercial Officer, told Gavin how he sees this is a significant boost for the region.
As Shannon heralds this announcement, the 7th Annual Tourism Policy Workshop is taking palce at Dromoland Castle. The event brings together senior decision makers and stake-holders in tourism with the objective of stimulating the long-term economic contribution of tourism to the Irish economy and society. This workshop is organised by the National Centre for Tourism Policy Studies, University of Limerick and its Professor Jim Deegan is among the speakers, who joined Gavin on the line.
Should beef farmers cut down on the number of animals on their farms? That suggestion has come from the ICSA who has said the beef roundtable forum, who meet today, will have to face the reality that livestock trade needs to think about downsizing. The Association says uncertainty around Brexit, weaker sterling, and unfavourable trade deals are factors in farmers receiving lower prices. Eddie Punch, ICSA General Secretary, Cratloe joined Gavin on the line.
After this we had our Ask the GP section with Dr Maire Finn from the Ennis Family Medical Section. Topic discussed this week was how to stave off colds and flus in the winter.
Following up on a topic discussed earlier this week Gavin spoke about broadband deficit impacting Clare companies. Louise McGuane, from Chapel Gate Irish Whiskey Co. shared her views when she joined Gavin on the line: “The lack of rural broadband for high potential global export businesses like mine is a full blown crisis. It is simply not acceptable that high speed rural broadband is not up and running to facilitate businesses in Clare. We are about to start hiring in 2017. I am at the moment seriously considering locating back-office, marketing and commercial staff outside of Clare specifically because of this issue. Modern Global Small Businesses like mine, that are fast becoming the saviour of rural areas all over the world, can only succeed if they are properly connected. These are the kinds of business that can offer skilled jobs for young people. The lack of broadband hampers this. I moved back here from Singapore to set up a business with a view to also benefiting the local community and to create jobs. I am being hampered in doing this due to BASIC infrastructure issues which most developing countries have already found a solution for. IF rural regeneration is to actually happen this needs to be prioritised or the county will continue to haemorrhage young educated workers, like the ones I'm hiring in 2017.”
Congratulations are in order for one young Clare student. Maghnus Hartigan from Mary Immaculate Secondary School in Lisdoonvarna competed against the top young scientific minds at SciFest 2016 and was well rewarded for his efforts, he joined Gavin live in studio to tell us more.
Now to mark the 70th anniversary of the electrification of rural Ireland by the ESB a book has been released containing the memories of those that were around at that time. Being a very rural county of course there are some stories from Clare in there and one of the men who has such a story is Eamon Ginnane who joins me now alongside PJ Cunningham the man behind the book.
We spoke about this earlier in the week; this Sunday is the United Nations World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims. It’s an important issue that’s been ongoing for decades and affects so many people throughout the country. There’s events going on all over Ireland for the day and one is being organised by Catherine Flaherty who is Road Safety Promotions Officer with the Road Safety Authority, she joined Gavin on the line.
To finish the show we had two sopranos live in studio who will be playing a show in Limerick’s Millennium Theatre on Saturday 19th. Janet Woods, a history and business teacher in Villers Secondary School, and Helen Catherine Ball, who runs THEATRO stage school joined Gavin live in studio.
