Friday, as always, is panel day on Morning Focus. Gavin was joined to discuss the news of the week by Patricia McCarthy (former Mayor of Clare), Gearóid Howard (Howard Crimmins Solicitors) and Eoin O’Hagan (Clare Virtually). Listen back below:
This edition of Morning Focus opened with a look at recent concerns that tax breaks on health insurance are to be axed, leading to increased costs for consumers. Gavin was joined by Dermot Goode of totalhealthcover.ie.
The talk then turned to political issues when Gavin was joined in studio by Dr Michael Harty, Independent TD for Clare, who scotched the claims on health insurance and outlined plans for a re-vamp of health care which are currently being drawn up by the Oireachtas Committee on the future of Health Care. Listen back below:
The topic of drinking driving and a proposal from Minister Shane Ross was the next item on the show. Darragh McAllister of Vintners Federation in Clare spoke to Morning Focus producer Fiona McGarry and hit back at the minister’s recent criticisms of lobbying by the organisation.
Six breeds of Irish dog are under threat, Gavin then heard. Author and TV producer David Blake Knox joined Gavin to discuss some of the concerns outlined in his new book The Curious History of Irish Dogs. Listen back below:
There’ll be a special Clare interest in the Aintree Grand National this year, with a horse running trained by Fergal O’Brien a trainer from Killaloe-Ballina. Fergal joined Gavin on the line from Aintree to discuss the chances of ‘Perfect Candidate’.
The selection of the Clare Rose of Tralee happens at the weekend and Gavin spoke to Ciaran O’Connell about the enduring appeal of this event.
Siobhán Mulcahy, Clare County Arts Officer, presented her weekly arts round-up and a look at events happening around the Banner.
Friday’s Morning Focus concluded with a chat with Cormac McCarthy, PRO of Ennis Tidy Towns who told Gavin about an initiative to encourage smallies to think about the environment and to adopt a spirit of volunteerism.
