Julian de Spainn, Ard Runai of Conradh an Gaeilge spoke to The Today Show following last weekends national conference of Young Fine Gael.  A resolution passed at their national conference in Tullamore called for the removal of Irish as a compulsory subject in the Leaving Certificate – a move that has been criticised by Fianna Fáil. Julian discussed how the language is taught and how students feels about it – according to their surveys and research the majority of people feel it needs an important place at the core of the education system.

On today’s programme locals from across the county gave their reaction to the proposed amalgamation of smaller rural schools to Gavin Grace.  It followed a public meeting in Ennis last night which saw over 600 people gather to voice their concerns on education cuts announced as part of the Budget; including the possible amalgamation of rural schools, less resource hours and rising pupil teacher ratios.

On today’s show the debate on animal testing continued following news that the number of animals being used for experiments here rose dramatically in five years. The Department of Health says 280 thousand animals were used in live experiments in 2010. Animal welfare groups are expressing concern and John Carmody of the Animal Rights Action Network (Aran) spoke to Clare Fm’s Gavin Grace about his views on the issue.  The testing in Ireland has increased by 800% in 5 years – with experimental tests carried out on mice, rats, rabbits, cattle, horses and many others.

Gavin Grace spoke with Irish Times Parliamentary Correspondent Michael O’Regan on the Today Show about how Clare’s Labour Party TD's been thrown out of the Dáil for being out of order. Michael McNamara had tried to raise what he said was the misleading of the Dáil by the Health Minister because he said the "HSE were running rings around him". After being told by the Ceann Comhairle to resume his seat, he didn't, and he was then formally suspended in a vote by 83 to 36 - with those in the Labour Party voting against him.

On The Today Show Gavin Grace discussed a news story about how – in the UK - patients could be kept alive solely so they can become organ donors, hearts could be retrieved from newborn babies for the first time, and body parts could be taken from high-risk donors as part of an urgent medical and ethical revolution to ease Britain's chronic shortage of organs. Mark Murphy, CEO of the Irish Kidney Association joined the show to talk about the implications if such a scenario existed in Ireland.

Love was in the air on this Valentine’s edition of the Today Show, with a host of tips for couples and singletons alike.

Stephen McDermott told us of his Valentine’s film recommendations, which included The Break Up, Jerry Maguire and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind but book lovers, it seems, prefer the classics with Emma Walsh of the Bord Gáis Book Club telling us that Mr. Darcy from Pride and Prejudice is the literary character that most women would love to cuddle up with during this romantic time.

On today’s show the troublesome twins - Jedward were live on the airwaves across Clare.  The boys spoke to Gavin ahead of their concert in the West County on Saturday night. John and Edward spoke about their 2012 Eurovision bid, their recent trip to Los Angeles and what they have planned for the year ahead! Jedward will, for the second time in a row, enter the Irish Eurovision national final in 2012, with the aim of representing Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest to be held in Baku, Azerbaijan with their entry "Waterline".

On today’s show Gavin discussed the news that Michael Healy Rae, the Independent TD from Kerry has called on the government to introduce a new registration policy so that we can avoid driving around with ‘13’ on next year’s cars. Deputy Healy Rae is worried that our superstitions will end up shying away from buying new cars that are registered in 2013 and the new car market will suffer as a result.

Conor Faughnan of Director of Policy with AA Roadwatch joined Gavin Grace on the Today Show to discuss speed limits across the country.  They’re to be reviewed as part of an overhaul of the current system. The audit could see limits on some rural and secondary routes reduced, while other dual carriageways and motorways could be revised upwards. Transport minister Leo Varadkar ordered the review that will be carried out by the National Roads Authority and local councils. It's hoped the review will improve road safety and bring about a reduction in accidents and road deaths.