Today’s Friday Panel included retired Kilkee businessman Manuel DiLucia, Diarmuid McMahon MD Sherry Fitzgerald and Kay Murphy the National President Of Active Retirement Ireland. The panel discussed the closure of rural post offices, the upcoming Presidential Election and the Papal Visit.
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Before all that though, Gavin spoke to Cormac O’Sullivan of DNG O’Sullivan Hurley, Ennis. The company is currently planning to build a new housing estate in Ennis. Sycamore drive is described as a 47 home estate comprised of stylish, energy efficient 3 and 4 bedroom houses finished to a high standard for modern, sustainable living. With a new scheme set to make a debut in Crusheen in the coming weeks, does all this mean the property boom has returned to Ennis?
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Following this Brian Harrington the Chair of the Shannon branch of the Irish Hotels Federation spoke for the approximately 1000 hotels and guesthouses represented by the organisation in a discussion surrounding tourism and the government’s upcoming budget. While the hospitality sector has seen growth and recovery as of late Brian is calling on the government to keep the 9% VAT rate in place for the industry and not increase it in an effort to keep growth going.
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Ending the hour was Eoin Lowry, Agri Business Editor. He joined Gavin for a look at the insurance situation as it affects farmers. A survey showed 74% of farmers have seen insurance increases this year. The survey went on to say that only 30% of farmers had changed insurers in the last three. Five years ago FBD was the largest insurer of farmers and while that is still true now Zurich and Axa have made large strides forward.
The second hour saw the Friday Panel followed by Colette O’Driscoll, the treasurer of the Clarecastle Show. The popular event will open this year at 10am tomorrow (September 1st) at the GAA grounds. It is stressed the show has gone beyond being just for farmers boasting a series of activities for everyone.
