On Friday’s Morning Focus we heard what farmers told Clare FM’s Cliona Wilmott at Ennis Mart yesterday after a new report shows farm incomes increased by a record 32 per cent last year
Author of the Teagasc National Farm Survey Dr Thea Hennessey spoke with John Cooke and said there was an average earning of almost 25-thousand euro – with farmers benefiting from favourable market conditions for dairy and beef products
However the study shows that 20-thousand or 21 per cent of farms make less than 5-thousand euro – while 15 per cent earn over 50-thousand euro
The report also shows there was a 20 per cent reduction in farm business debts in 2011 – falling to a total of 1.8 billion euro
Cratloe farmer Eddie Punch, General Secretary of the ICSA, reacted to the findings.
MS Ireland Tea Parties
World MS Day takes place on Wednesday 30th May so Clare FM is calling on the people of Clare to get involved by throwing your own McVitie’s Digestives Tea Party to raise money for counselling, exercise programme and other services the Midwest
We’re giving away a McVitie’s hamper so you can hold your own MS Tea Party to raise funds for local services
Visit www.ms-society.ie
This morning we gave away McVitie’s Hamper packed with McVitie’s biscuits, tins and mugs and a listener had a €250 donation to MS Ireland made on their behalf.
The Referendum Commission is charged with communicating the facts of the potential change to the constitution to the people
Spokesperson Mark Brennock explained that the Treaty is about strengthening the rules designed to make governments keep a balance between their income and their spending
There are already EU rules about this which apply to Ireland
The Treaty aims to strengthen these rules and requires countries to put some of them into national law
It is not necessary for all EU member states to ratify the Treaty for it to come into effect
If it is ratified by at least 12 euro area countries and if Ireland ratifies it, it will apply in full to Ireland as part of the euro area.
For more information see www.referendum2012.ie
The Ballyvaughan Bay Hop is a community project to establish a fast ferry service between North Clare and Galway The feasibility study is now into its second phase and they will be running sea trials during the week of June 25th – 30th
Tickets have just been made available but already we are seeing sales which is terrific news
Gwen Ryan gave the details, see www.ballyvaughanbayhop.com
Deputy Joe Carey of Fine Gael and Richard Boyd Barrett of the United Left Alliance went head to head in a debate on the Fiscal Treaty
Deputy Carey is the Director of Elections for North Munster and maintained a Yes vote is crucial to the country’s economic stability
Deputy Boyd Barrett advocated a No vote saying austerity hasn’t worked and maintained that a Yes vote is a mandate for more tax hikes and cuts.
Professor Timothy Emlyn Jones, Dean of the Burren College of Art, paid homage to the unique watercolour by a North Clare born artist that was Ireland’s favourite painting
President Michael D Higgins last night unveiled Frederic William Burton’s " Meeting On The Turret Stairs" as the nation’s most popular work of art
Burton was born and raised at Clifden House in Corofin in 1816 before heading to Dublin to study art
It’s believed that his painting is influenced by his childhood surroundings with the architecture of the numerous round towers dotted across North Clare reflected in the watercolour
The Burton is located in the National Gallery in Dublin but due to its delicate nature, its only on view for a limited time each week.
Rory Golden- the first Irish diver to see the Titanic- will be in Kilkee tomorrow to give a talk in aid of the Kilkee Marine Rescue Service, he encouraged people to come along
Also,the 2nd Annual Martin Fennell Memorial Tractor Run – also in aid of Kilkee Marine Rescue takes place this Sunday.
Micheal O’Rabhaigh, Chairman of Fleadh Nua, gave an update on Fleadh Nua and what’s in store ahead of the weekend.
The Clare Burren Marathon takes place tomorrow in Ballyvaughan from 8 am to 6 pm
There will be some traffic delays & disruption on the R477 between Ballyvaughan & O’Donoghues Fanore on the coast road all day
Organisers are asking motorists to please allow extra time for your journey, or alternatively use the N67 Corkscrew Hill road- they ask that all road users to please be patient and take care as there will be Runners and Walkers on the road
‘The Wild Flowers of Loophead’ is being launched by Mary O’Rourke at Culturlann Sweeney, Kilkee this evening at 7pm
Author Carmel Madigan’s family have farmed at the Bridges of Ross for more than ten generations now- this nurtured a deep interest in the flowers of the Atlantic headland and in this book she describes and records them
Carmel joined John in studio to discuss the book.
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