On Today’s Morning Focus with Gavin Grace
Peter Quinn, a teacher at St Flannans College Ennis and an ASTI Standing Committee representative for Clare and Limerick spoke on the show about the teachers union. The country's largest second-level teachers union has voted to reject the latest Junior Cycle proposals. Members of the ASTI have voted against the reforms by 55 percent to 45 percent. However, secondary teachers in the TUI voted to accept the proposals by more than two to one, at 69 percent to 31.
Minister Kevin Humphreys told us this morning about the responsibility for employment supports in the Department of Social Protection. Jobs Week runs from the 28th of September to the 2nd of October. Minister Humphreys spoke about employment in County Clare.
The Nevin Economic Research Institute says extra government revenues should be invested in ways that will raise the long term productivity of the economy, rather than spent on tax cuts. In its latest quarterly commentary, the trade union-supported think tank says more investment on education, research and key infrastructure will give a better and longer boost to the economy. The institute thinks the economy will grow by close to 6% this year, and 4% next year, with the number in work breaking the two million mark in the middle of next year, and the Government deficit falling to 1%. Senior Researcher of Nevin Economic Research Institute, Micheal Collins, a native of Ennis, spoke on the Morning Foucs about the facts.
Clare Hurler, Brendan Bugler kicked off the 'Bed Push' in aid of Cahercalla Hospice today across the town of Ennis. He spoke about the great work of Cahercalla and asked people to join him in the event that was on in town today.
Clonbony Bridge in Milltown Malbay has been closed since the torrential weather destroyed it. The bridge has suffered significant structural damage and cannot carry live traffic in its current condition. The council envisage having a contractor on site next week for approximately 4 weeks to undertake the bridge strengthening works. Speaking about the closure, Tony Cogan of Cogans Bar and Restaurant and Patrick Boland of The Yard Restaurant spoke about how this was affecting their business. It has been closed since the floods occurred 2 weeks ago and it will be up to 2 months because of flood damage to the first floor of his restaurant and there was 6” of water. John O'Dwyer of O'Dwyer Building Supplies, Eddie keane of Old Bakehouse Restaurant Miltown Malbay and John Jones of Jones' Supervalu also spoke about how the damage is affecting the parish and the businesses.
Siobhan Mulcahy with the County Arts Officer spoke about the Mountshannon Trad Festival, a Ceili in Cois na hAbhna, Che do Bheatha Festival in Kilkee and many of the events taking place in Glór.
This weeks Weekend Events are as follows:
Black Pudding Night at Jacks place Kilkishen in aid of Oatfield Church Renovation Project Music, black puddings, craic and raffle on the night. The admission is €5. Joe Robbins is the event organiser who spoke to Gavin on the show about the Black Pudding Night.
A Group of Runners from Genworth Shannon are running the Dublin Marathon on October 26th 2015. All funds raised will go to the Clare Crusaders Children’s Clinic. They are organising another Westpark 5K Lunch time Fun Run/Walk on Friday September 25th as a follow up to one done in April this year. The event will start and finish at the Genworth building 7000, Westpark, and the route will take you down through the industrial estate and back to Genworth. Entry fee will be €5.00, with prizes, spot prizes and a raffle on the day. 12.30PM with Registration at 11.30am and John Williams is asking people in the area to come out and support.
Into The Light is an Exhibition by Frances Bailey. All Paintings are inspired by the idea that painting is a therapeutic pastime that people in the dark take up to lighten their mind. It takes place tonight at 7PM – 8.30 at the health and Wellness Centre Carrigoran House Newmarket. It is a free event.
Our panel of three guests from around the county join us in studio to take a look back at this week biggest news stories. This weeks biggest stories involve rural regeneration and resettlement, pre-nuptiual agreements, drink driving loophole – do people respect road laws, rent on the rise in Clare and the Volkswagan Scandal. This weeks panellists include Pat Kelly of Skycourt Shopping Centre Shannon, Ger O Halloran of Abbey Stores Quin and Sharon Cahir of Cahir and Co Solicitors Ennis
Susan O Neill is a former contestant on You're a Star, she is a Folk Singer/ Songwriter and Ennis Native who is based in Waterford. She is currently concentrating on recording at the moment in Sun Studios Temple bar Dublin. She is in the middle of completing three new tracks. She has an upcoming gig in St. Patrick's Gateway on December 4th in Waterford where she will be playing before an up and coming band from Dublin called 'The Young Folk'. Due to begin a full Irish tour once the album is released in the new year. Susan has just released a new single called 'Mrs Karma' that has been nominated as best female vocalist of 2015 with Pure Music awards.
