Today’s Morning Focus began with yet more on the ongoing problem of overcrowding of UHL and other hospitals across the country.
Today saw the INMO (Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation) protest outside UHL on lunchtime. The organisation revealed last week that the HSE still has no plan to recruit extra staff or reduce services to cope with demand even in the face of August being the worst month on record for overcrowding yet. Mary Fogarty of INMO Midwest had more details.
From one crisis to another we then discussed the ongoing student accommodation crisis. Many 3rd level students across the country are finding themselves unable to accept college offers due to spiraling rent prices. The same is true for the University of Limerick and Gavin spoke with Lorcan O’Donnell, the Deputy President and Welfare Officer for UL Student Life, formally the Student’ Union, about the situation there.
The hour rounded out with a discussion on ageism with President of Active Retirement Ireland, Kay Murphy. According to a new report a third of older people experience some form of ageism.
The second hour opened with our financial advice segment with Independent Financial Advisor, John Lowe.
Following that Gavin spoke with Michael Keelan of the Festival Branch of the Samaritans. They will be attending the Lisdoonvarna Festival next weekend on September 14th, 15th and 16th and Michael told Gavin a little more about what will be going on.
Listen back below:
Then we heard about the protests and meetings surrounding the Drehidnagower Bridge. Many are concerned about the safety of motorists and pedestrians alike crossing the bridge. This has prompted locals and representatives of Sinn Féin to stage a protest outside the council offices whilst Fine Gael Councillor Mary Howard brings the matter to a meeting. Clare FM’s James Mulhall spoke with Cllr Howard ahead of that meeting.
The hour ended with our weekly animal welfare update with Clare County Dog Warden Frankie Coote.
Moving into the show’s last hour Gavin spoke with this year’s winner of the Mór Glór Award, North Clare concertina player, Chris Droney. Droney has been hailed as an outstanding ambassador for the traditional arts in Clare and has won several awards including the TG4 Grádam Saoil award for lifetime achievement, a CCÉ Bardic Award, A teastas award and in 2012 the prestigious Clare Person of the Year Award.
Listen back below:
Finally, we spoke to comedian Colin Murphy best known for the likes of ‘The Panel’ on RTÉ and ‘The Blizzard of Odd’. To celebrate turning 50 and 25 years in comedy, Murphy is going on his first tour in 8 years. He will come to Glór on September 29th.
