On Friday's Morning Focus with Ciana Cambell
Members of the European Affairs Committee have travelled to France to examine the impact of the migrant crisis. The group included Fianna Fáil's Transport Spokesperson and Clare TD Timmy Dooley and former President of the irish Road hauliage Association, Bunratty man Eoin Gavin. Deputy Dooley and Mr Gavin joined us on Morning Focus where they told us about their experiece.
An assylum seeker who achieved 575 points in her leaving certificate will meet with the Minister for Education for the second time today to discuss potential financial support for college. 19 year-old Anna Kern came to ireland from the Ukraine two years ago and lives in direct provision in Knockalisheen. Anna told us she remains hopeful that she will go to college, while Matt Cannon of Doras Luimní outlined the difficulties faced by young assylum seekers here.
A number of reports on problems in the child care system identified the rigid application of the in camera rule, which prevented any reporting of child care cases, as contributing to a lack of information and an obstacle to reform. Change to this rule was provided for, in outline, in the Child Care (Amendment) Act 2007, but this required a Statutory Instrument (Regulations) to give it effect. In November 2012 the Minister for Children, Frances Fitzgerald, made Regulations to allow for reporting on these cases, subject to certain conditions aimed at protecting the privacy of the families concerned. The CCLRP was established as an independent project to report on child care cases, mainly heard in the District Courts, so that both professionals and members of the public can learn about how and why children are taken into care, and what happens then. Director of the project and former Irish Times Legal Affiars Correspondant Carol Coulter, is speaking in Ennis this afternoon as part of the Merriman Summer School and she told us of her experiences since joining the project.
Our Friday panel joined us in studio to take a look back at this week biggest news stories. Gearóid Howard of Cummins Howard Solicitors in Shannon, Former President of the TUI, Bernie Ruane and Clare Fm's Brian Flynn spoke on the migrant crisis and the situation in Calais, the homesless crisis here at home, the leaving certificate, Enda Kenny's term in Government and the Rose of Tralee.
Sarah Mc Carthy from Newmarket on Fergus has reached the final of Limerick's Got Talent which takes place in the Lime Tree Theatre tonight. Sarah told Ciana all about her journey so far and treated us to a piece from the song she's singing tonight.
Clare's Wish Foundation is a newly established charity granting wishes to adults living with terminal and life-threatening illnesses. 20 wishes have been granted so far including meet and greets with Lionel richie, Spandau Ballet, Cliff Richard but sometimes the wish is just a break away from the usual routines of hospitals and treatments. Founder Kevin Clancy told us all about the charity and its importance. While ahead of a fundraising event at the Temple Gate Hotel this evening in aid of the charity, The Wingers joined us live in studio. Paul Cropera, Frank Healy, Martain O'Malley and David Sanders played two pieces of music from tonight's set list.
