Morning Focus Monday May 14

On Monday’s Morning Focus John Cooke was joined by Lucinda Creighton TD, Minister of State – European Affairs and Professor Terrence McDonough, Economist – NUI Galway to debate the Fiscal Compact Treaty.

The Minister for European Affairs has rejected claims that Ireland has a veto over the EU’s emergency bailout fund – the ESM
She says Ireland won’t have access to the fund unless the EU fiscal treaty is ratified
Prof McDonough has described the Fiscal Treaty as not a safe option but a perilous experiment
A Public Meeting on the Fiscal Treaty will take place this evening in the Auburn Lodge Hotel in Ennis at 8pm.

There has been an increase in the number of crisis pregnancies
A new survey shows that 36 per cent of women experienced an unplanned pregnancy last year – compared to 28 per cent in a similar study in 2003
The report from the Health Service Executive’s Crisis Pregnancy Programme shows that 14 per cent of the women opted for an abortion – with the vast majority being carried out in the UK
Dr Stephanie O’Keeffe, Director of the Crisis Pregnancy Programme, joined John to discuss the results of the study.
For more information see www.crisispregnancy.ie or www.b4udecide.ie  or text your name and address to 40555.
 

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The Corofin Dramatic Society came 3rd in the All Ireland drama festival in Athlone over the weekend with their production of "The Subject was Roses"
They also won best lighting and Maura Clancy got the best actress award
John spoke with Maura Clancy and Producer John Clancy who said they were thrilled with the result, it was their first year in Athlone.

Sergeant Joe Downey, Crime Prevention Officer with the Clare Garda Division, joined John in studio for this week’s Garda Focus and appealed to the public for information on crimes committed in the county
Contact Ennis Garda Station on 065 68 48 100.

Last week saw the government herald a new dawn from Shannon Airport as Minister Richard Burton and Leo Varadkar announced a New drive to develop world-class aviation industry in Shannon
The Government confirmed it has decided to separate Shannon Airport from the Dublin Airport Authority and bring it together with Shannon Development to form a new entity with a commercial mandate in public ownership – and the ministers involved described it as a new era for the region
Ryanair’s Michael O’Leary isn’t so sure as he explained to John.

John Murphy, Chairman of the Clare branch of Birdwatch Ireland, joined John for his weekly slot where he answers listeners’ bird and wildlife queries
He also spoke about the two White Tailed Eagles nested in Mountshannon whose chicks are due to hatch any day now.

If you have a story, comment or query for the Morning Focus team email [email protected]