On Friday's Morning Focus with Gavin Grace
Brian Cowen's told the Banking Inquiry he takes full and complete responsibility for his role in and response to the economic crisis. The former Taoiseach and Finance Minister's denied being beholden to the property sector, saying he woulnd't accept attempts to set him up as a guy promoting cowboy speculators. In a performance that ranged from calm and sombre to all out feisty and taking no prisoners, Brian Cowen started with an apology – He said he accepted full responsibility for the decisions made, defended his policies as Finance Minister and said he wouldn't try and pass the buck. But he said the problem lay firstly with the banks. Sarah Bardon Political Reporter Irish Times was there and gave us the latest on this.
It is already July and schools are still awaiting their SNA allocation for the 2015/16 school year from the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) and principals are becoming incredibly frustrated with the lack of progress on this issue.Time is running out for schools to implement appropriate recruitment and vetting procedures by the 1st September or to activate redundancies so close to the start of the next school year. The reality is that there are Special Needs Pupils who are due to start school on the 1st September that may not have supports in place to allow them to do so. Larry Fleming PRO Irish Primary Principles Network highlighted what this delay means for students, their parents and the schools waiting for notification.
Whitegate's Ann Malone whose daughter Emma was the first child in the country to receive an SNA and had it throughout Primary and Secondary school – Something that Ann fought for for 3.5 years. Now at 25 years old, Ann says the difference the SNA gave Emma is substantial it gave her independence throughout her school experience and in her community. At the same time it gave Ann such peace of mind that Emma was cared for in school, she knew that Emma would have the SNA throughout her schooling and did not have to worry, she is so disappointed that the system has taken steps backwards and now parents and teachers have the same worry each year whether or not they will have the SNA, she shared her thoughts with Gavin.
Kilkishen Development Association, chaired by Mike Hogan, undertook this project to restore the Kilkishen Church of Ireland building and develop the building into a Cultural/Heritage Centre for use by all the community and visitors to the area – they have their official opening of the centre this afternoon and have looked forward to it for a long time.
The Clare Roots Society in association with Clare County Council are running a free workshop on the care and conservation of graveyards next Wednesday 8th July in a beautifully restored church in Kilkishen. There will be talks on conservation and biodiversity as well as the care of bats in church and graveyards. Congella Maguire Heritage Officer Clare County Council had the details.
Our panel of three guests from around the county join us in studio to take a look back at this week biggest news stories including Brian Cowen's first appearence at the Banking Inquiry and the discussion from earlier in the week on the standard of Mobile Phone Coverage across the County. Joining us Mairead Doyle Solicitor and Partner at Michael Houlihan and Partners Ennis, Peter O Connell Journalist Clare Champion and Diarmuid McMahon, Sherry Fitzgerald McMahon, Ennis.
Derrick Lynch of Clare fm Sport then joined us in studio to discuss with the panel the double heder of Clare Matches this weekend at Cusack Park.
From Puppets, bubbles and ducks to Live music, dancing on the streets and a Giant inflatable pig! Ennis Street Arts Festival taking place all this week and into the weekend. Morning Focus spoke with Artistic Director Ana Colmer from Seville Spain who says now in its 10th year this is a massive Community intiative that has grown from strength to strength . . . . More info on Ennisstreetartsfestival.com
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