Morning Focus opened with a look at moves to hike diesel prices. If you drive a diesel car – like the vast majority of Irish motorists (more than 70%), you could be in for a price shock this autumn. The first in a series of rises in the price of diesel is likely in the October budget with moves afoot to equalise the tax charged on a litre of petrol. The measure is said to be in response to concerns about air quality in the wake of the diesel emissions scandals.
Pre-budget papers drawn up by senior government officials point out that the OECD recommends bringing the prices of diesel and petrol into line. The news has been greeted with dismay by those representing hauliers as well as rural dwellers and farming organisations – who tend to rely on diesel vehicles. To discuss the issue, I'm joined in studio by Ennis-based haulier Eugene Drennan and on the phone by Martin McMahon, Clare Chairman of the ICMSA.
Gavin spoke, about the possible implications of a price hike, to Eugene Drennan and Ennis-based haulier and to Martin McMahon, Clare Chairman of the ICMSA.
With the schools returning, we're all being encouraged to include road safety on the checklist for the new term.
As final preparations begin and the books and the uniforms are bought, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) and ESB Networks are calling on parents, guardians and teachers to make sure road safety is a top priority.
The RSA are reminding parents to ensure their child is visible while at the bus stop, a particular concern as the shorter day’s approach, and encouraging children to always wear their seatbelt when traveling to and from school on the bus.
The reminder is a timely one given that four children aged 14 and under have died in the first eight months of the year on Irish roads. In the period between 2011 and 2015, 32 children aged 14 and under died as a result of a collision on our roads, of these 14 were pedestrians and a further 2 were pedal cyclists. The RSA is reminding parents to ensure their child is visible when walking or cycling on the roads, or when waiting for the school bus.
Gavin was joined on the line by Moyagh Murdock, CEO Road Safety Authority.
Morning Focus then heard from the artist who is about to send a 'message in a bottle' into space
Art comes in all different forms – it's much more than paintings and sculptures of course.
But that notwithstanding, my next guest is behind what must be one of the most unusual arts projects you'll ever hear of.
Galway-born Paul Quast, who's currently based in Scotland, is collecting answers from the public to a question which aims to get us thinking about the environment.
Then, with the help of the European Space Agency, he's going to beam those answers into space, akin to a virtual 'message in a bottle'
Paul Quast, spoke to Gavin about his ambitious project. Anyone interested in contributing to the message, can do so at www.asimpleresponse.org before 16 September.
Gavin's next guest is swapping the comforts – and warm weather – of Sydney, Australia for a three-month adventure in Ireland.
American native Tara Foster is going to cycle throughout the country with nothing more than what she can carry, in a bid to prove that anyone can conquer any challenge.
She's already garnering attention for her challenge on line – #aroundIrelandOnAPushie – and she'll be travelling here in two weeks time.
The struggles facing rural Irish families are explored in a new drama to air on TV3 on Thursday night (Sept. 10, 10pm). Pat Shortt proves his credentials once again as a serious actor, playing the character of Tom, a busy farmer who works the land with his youngest son Timmy (Stephen O’Leary), while his other son, Conor (Charlie Kelly), becomes increasingly alienated from family life. Smalltown is the title of the three-part series by award-winning Kerry writer/director Gerard Barrett. The family is held together by wife and mother Mary (Pauline O’Driscoll) and when Conor leaves to work in London, he becomes immersed in his new life, forgetting the people at home. Years later, he receives the call to come home as his mother is terminally ill.
Gavin spoke to both Pat Shortt and Gerard Barrett.
The Monday sports panel was made up of Derrick Lynch, Clare FM Sport and Joe Garry, Clare FM Football Analyst
