Morning Focus opened with a look at the achievement of the new Dail in its first term.
TDs finished up their Dáil session last night (Thurs., July 21), and will return to Kildare Street on September 27.
Although, as you heard from CLare Fine Gael TD Pat Breen yesterday, many insist their work will continue over the coming ten weeks or so.
Nonetheless, the legislative phase of their work has stopped for now so it seems an appropriate time to look back and reflect on a period of politics which started with an election, then protracted negotiations on a new government, and since then 'new politics'
However, has it workeed? Gavin spoke to The Irish Examiner's Special Correspondant Mick Clifford.
The challenges facing our children were highlighted this week in two important reports.
One – the Economic Report on Inequality in Ireland – show that the number of children living in consistent poverty has almost doubled over the years of the recession [from 6.3 to 11.2 percent between 2008 and 2014]. Another – from the ISPCC shows that more than one-in-ten calls to its helpline are to do with mental health issues.
The man who launched the first of these two documents says it should be compulsory reading for all Oireachtas members and that they should have to defend their track records and Gavin asked Fergus Finlay, CEO of Barnardos why this was the case.
Ahead of a huge weekend in sport, Gavin spoke to Colm Collins and Jamsie O'Connor. The fixtures for the weekend are – FOOTBALL: 23 Jul 3pm Clare v Roscommon, Pease Stadim, Galway
HURLING: 24 Jul 4pm Clare v Galway, Semple Stadium, Thurles
Clare Crusaders Children’s Clinic is organising a Sponsored Relay from Loop Head to Killaloe. The relay will involve teams completing the 140Km route tomorrow (Sat. July 23).
The proposed route includes Loop Head, Cross, Carrigaholt, Kilkee, Kilrush, Cooraclare, Kilmihil, Lissycasey, Ennis, Barefield, Spancil Hill, Tulla, Bodyke, Tuamgraney, Ogonnelloe and ending in Killaloe. Gavin spoke to Kieran McCarthy about the event.
The Friday Panel discussed a number of topics, including: Rebuilding Ireland; 'New politics' – assessment of the first term of the 32nd Dail; Annointing the Donald – the Republican Party Convention and politicians' attendance at funerals
Gavin was joined in studio by Laura Mulcahy of Dha Lamh Theatre and Clare Art Beat; John Quinlivan, Friends of Shannon Airport, former Shannon Development Regional Manager; and Manuel di Lucia, a Kilkee-based businessman.
Aoibhín Garrihy, actress and media personality, and Sharon Connellan, fashion and lifestyle blogger of My Closet Encounters, have joined forces to bring the ultimate girls day out to West Clare this Sunday (July 24). The event promises to showcase some of the best the boutique capital of Ireland has to offer, think garden party, brunch bites, afternoon tea, bubbles and glamour. Held in the Armada Hotel, MC on the day will be fashion editor, presenter, and snapchatter extraordinaire James Patrice. The ladies joined Gavin in studio to chat about the event.
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