On Tuesday’s Morning Focus we spoke to Eddie Punch, General Secretary of CSA Farmers about how they are calling on the Taoiseach to reject the EU’s trade deal with Latin American countries.
The Mercosur deal would see greater access to the European market for those countries, with increased amounts of beef imports attracting the ire of farmers.
The Taoiseach has acknowledged the agreement could be bad for Ireland.
We know only too well in this county about the beauty and the dangers of the sea. In North Clare this weekend, a special effort is being made to remember those who have lost their lives along that coast. The local Tidy Towns committee is to unveil a sculpture of a whale’s tail at Doolin Pier on Saturday and it’s called ‘Rory’s Tale’, in memory of 5-year-old Rory Sambrook who lost his life after being swept out of sea in December 2000. The stainless steel sculpture which stands over 8’ tall was created by Andy O Doherty, who designed and built the piece. Anne Hughes Doolin Tidy Towns and a personal friend to Rory Sambrook’s family joined Gavin Grace on the program.
Now, you may have laughed along – and even cringed along – with the participants on the RTÉ 2 show, ‘First Dates Ireland’, but did you ever consider taking part? Well, if you’re a man aged in your 40s to 60s, you might be pleased to hear you’re in high demand. The makers of the show say that there are lots of beautiful, energetic, vibrant women in that age group who are looking to make a match. Mairead Tucker of CoCo Television told us how you can get involved!
John Lowe, The Money Doctor gave some Independent Financial Advise on home energy grants and the best interest rates for your savings.
Clare FM News has learned that the HSE has purchased a 5-acre site for the €25 million facility to replace St Joseph’s Hospital, Ennis. The new 100-bed unit will be located on Diocesan lands located near the Turnpike in Ennis and will be operational by 2021. The current St Joseph’s Hospital, which is located on the Lifford Road, had restrictions placed on it by HIQA back in January of 2017 which banned new admissions and resulted in a landmark court case which allowed it to keep its doors open. Bernard Gloster who is the Chief Office of HSE Mid West Community Healthcare told us that work has been ongoing in sourcing a new site and the HSE says this news comes after an extensive appraisal of a number of sites in the Ennis area.
It’s becoming more difficult for people of all backgrounds to get a home – either to buy or rent – but it’s even harder if you’re a person with a disability. In that case, you’ll more than likely need significant adaptations to the property as well as support with living independently. These added needs mean that hundreds of people are forced to live in nursing homes – despite being under the age of 65. You may well have seen a recent newspaper article on one such man – 45 year-old Martin Mounsey from Ennis. As part of a short series on the challenges facing people in living independently when they’ve got a disability, Martin has been speaking to Morning Focus producer Fiona McGarry.
And we have our weekly animal welfare update with Frankie Coote who is the County Clare Dog Warden.
