Today on Morning Focus we had our Friday Panel discussion in studio.
Before all that the show kicked off with Anne Marie Flanagan of Clare Leader Forum who told Gavin about a National Conference which is taking place today in Ennis.
The conference is called ‘Personal Assistance Services: A Right Not a Privilege’ and raises issues of concern for people with disabilities.
After this, Senator and Labour Party Spokesperson on Employment Affairs & Social Protection Ged Nash spoke about the Labour Party’s plans to restore town councils. The Labour Party Bill seeks to restore town councils in urban areas with a population of 5,000 or more and at least 1,000 homes with a clear urban centre.
We heard from Simon Berrow, Chief Science Officer of the Irish Whale & Dolphin Group on fears that sonar submarines may have caused the deaths of a number of whales off the Irish coast. The Department of Foreign Affairs is contacting British authorities in light of this which the Irish Whale & Dolphin Group lobbied for previously.
In the second hour of the show Kilfenora-born author Pat O’Looney told us all about his new book which is an autobiography of his life and details his life in North Clare.
The book ‘At Least Once a Year’ will launch next Friday (October 5) at Loughrea Library and is available to purchase at Ennis Book Shop.
Listen back below:
As Doonbeg Post Office closed it’s doors for the last time today, Gavin was joined by Tomy Comerford of Doonbeg Devlopment Association to discuss how this will affect the community.
Siobhán Mulcahy, Clare County Arts Officer provided us with our weekly arts round-up. Siobhán told us about the Western film ‘Weds’ which will play in Kilkee, the various music across Clare this weekend and the theatre production of ‘Frank Pig Says Hello’ at Glór Theatre, Ennis.
Following on from this, we had fantastic audio highlights from the 2013 All-Ireland Final to celebrate the fifth anniversary. The game between Clare and Cork was only the second time that there was an all Munster All-Ireland Final.
Listen back below:
In the last hour of Morning Focus the regular Friday Panel discussion took place. This week our guests were retired Businessman Manuel di Lucia, Businesswoman Orla Vaughan and Gearóid Howard, Crimmins Howard Solicitors, Shannon.
They tackled questions such as ‘do you feel European?’, ‘should alcohol products carry cancer warnings?’ and was a ‘Carlow parish Priest right to try and axe Communion Day?’
Listen back below:
The final segment of the show saw Morning Focus Producer, Fiona McGarry learn all about the Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival ahead of it’s final weekend this year. The festival has helped people who come from and far wide once a year to find love for over a century and a half.
