Today on Morning Focus we were joined by our Friday Panel as we discussed the latest news headlines from the past week.
This week our topics included the RIC commemorations, Trolley Crisis – who’s to blame? Calorie counting on menus and we remembered broadcasters Larry Gogan and Marian Finucane. Our panellists this week were Michael Vaughan, Lahinch hotelier, former IHF President, Bernadette Kenny, CEO, Bluebox Children’s Charity and Martin Waldron Crafts Works and Craft Shop of Ennis.
If you missed it you can listen back below:
Before that at the beginning of the show, Fine Gael TD and Junior Minister, Pat Breen joined us on the line following talks between Leo Varadkar and Micheál Martin last night which were described as ‘constructive’.
The Taoiseach and the Fianna Fáil leader have agreed to meet again next week amid speculation an early general election is likely. The two leaders discussed proposed legislation that could be passed in the next Dáil session.
Next on the show, we were joined on air by Noreen Spillane, Chief Operations Officer, UL Hospitals Group and Dr Catherine Peters, Consultant in Elderly Medicine and Clinical Director, Medical Directorate as they addressed ED overcrowding.
This week saw two record-breaking days for overcrowding on trolleys across the country.
On both Tuesday and Wednesday, 760 were left waiting for beds – with an all-time high of 92 at University Hospital Limerick.
The Health Minister has denied claims by the INMO that the overcrowding situation was predictable and could have been avoided.
If you missed it, you can listen back below:
Following on from that we spoke to Breean Weldrick as he is fundraising for at least one defibrillator to be available in Kilkee. Breean’s Father, Dave Weldrick was a well-known Limerick-based coach, who lost his life in the waters of Kilkee last August. It’s thought he got into difficulty after having a suspected heart attack. He had worked tirelessly for charities throughout his life, and now his family are continuing in that spirit by fundraising for at least one heart defibrillator for Kilkee to help give suspected heart attack victims a fighting chance of surviving.
If you would like to donate, you can do so here.
If you missed it, you can listen back below:
Next, Cllr PJ Ryan of Sixmilebridge joined us on air as he wanted to remind listeners about a concert taking place in Cratloe Community Hall at 8pm tomorrow night which is in support of Seán Óg Healy.
To wrap up today’s Morning Focus, Musician and Actor, Steve Wall joined us on the line as he is giving workshops at the Music Minds Festival next week.
Doolin’s is the venue next weekend as a range of big names attend the second annual Music Minds festival. The three multi-genre festival includes workshops, debates, films, performances and guest speakers – with live music from names such as Daithi, Susan O’Neill and Homebeat DJs.
