Today’s Morning Focus opened with Gerry Loftus of Save Rural Ireland who are organizing a protest outside the Dáil tomorrow (September 18th) as part of a nationwide campaign to reverse An Post’s consolidation plan and re-open post offices in rural areas.
Following one political issue with another we heard from Hermann Kelly, the spokesman for the newly formed Irexit Freedom Party. The party aims to take law-making ability back to the Dáil and avoid a hard boarder with Northern Ireland by leaving the EU. Kelly himself works as the director of communications for the Europe of Freedom and Direct Democracy group in the European Parliament – a group of ‘Eurosceptic’ parties which includes UKIP.
The hour ended with Vincent Cunnane, President of LIT. He discussed the upcoming construction of a new Coonagh campus here near Ennis. The government recently announced an €11.9 billion investment in education as part of Project 2040 – of that €11.6 million has gone to this project. It’s hoped construction will be complete within the year.
Opening the second hour was a regular segment in the form of Garda Focus with Clare Crime Prevention Officer Tríona O’Rourke.
‘Sláinte an Chláir’ Radio Bingo launched today. It will broadcast on Clare FM directly after the news at 10am, 2pm and 6pm every weekday. The books will be €4 each and available at over 60 stores across the county. Marie Phelan discussed all the details on Morning Focus.
Listen back below:
Then we asked the question: will the National Land Development Agency (NLDA) solve the accommodation crisis? The agency aims to drive the cost of development by selling on sate owned land at competitive prices. Already the agency has identified some land that could be used to build 20,000 homes near Dublin along the commuter belt. Gavin spoke with Mel Reynolds, an architect and policy analyst, to find out just how viable this new strategy is.
Finally the hour ended with Michael Vaughan Lahinch Hotelier and former Head of the Irish Hotels Federation. He discussed the closure of a leading tourism bookings agency Exploring Vacations and the knock on effect that will have on the tourism industry here in Clare.
Moving into the shows final hour the Monday Sports Panel returned with Peter O’Connell editor of The Clare Champion and Clare FM Sport’s Derrick Lynch giving an overview of the week’s sporting events.
Listen back below:
Then Gavin spoke with Matthew Kelly the Chief Technology Officer for DroneSAR. The National Monuments Service (NMS) has received 66 reports of newly identified monuments during the months of July and August thanks to drones. Kelly was using his drone to try and find a site described as Ireland’s Stonehenge.
Finally ending the show President of the Ennis Toastmasters Tara Donnellan gave us details on the debating group’s open night for perspective members. The meeting will take place tomorrow (September 18th) at the Temple Gate Hotel in Ennis at 8pm.
Listen back below:
