On today’s Morning Focus John Cooke spoke with Ballynacally TD, Pat Breen about yesterday’s visit to Ireland of Aung San Suu Kyi. The Fine Gael Deputy is also the Chairman of the Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs. Also joining the discussion was Eileen Seymour, Chairperson of Burma Action Ireland. Yesterday during her visit Aung San Suu Kyi received the Amnesty International Ambassador of Conscience award in Dublin. The presentation was made to the Burmese pro-democracy leader during a special concert in her honour at the Bord Gais Energy Theatre. 2,000 people are attending the event – including Actor Roger Moore and Poet Seamus Heaney – for performances from Riverdance, Damien Rice, Bob Geldof and Bono. The 66-year-old also received the Freedom of Dublin City – during a public event in Grand Canal Plaza – 12 years after she was bestowed with the award. Seamus Heaney and Mary Robinson were involved in the process of inviting the 66 year old to Ireland, which was started by Amnesty International.
The New Mayor of Ennis has told the Environment Minister that abolishing the urban council in Clare’s County Town would be a "shocking result" for the area. Fianna Fail Councillor Peter Considine was elected as Mayor of Ennis for the seventh time in his 39 year career in local government last night, and indicated the council has already sent a strong message to Minister Phil Hogan regarding his review of local government. Councillor Considine defeated Fine Gael’s Johnny Flynn by five votes to four for the Mayoral Chains, while Independent Councillor Tommy Brennan was elected as Deputy Mayor, beating off competition from Fine Gael’s Mary Howard. John Cooke was present at last night’s Annual General meeting of Ennis Town Council and spoke to the new Mayor and his Deputy regarding the challenges facing the town of Ennis and town councils themselves
Also on today’s show, Ed Donnelly – PRO of the GAA Munster Council responded to numerous complaints on yesterday’s show regarding ticket prices for Clare versus Waterford on Sunday last and discounts for children. Ed clarified ticketing details. Family packages for yesterday’s game meant that all under 16’s could gain admission for €5 in to both stands. So a package of 1 adult and 1 child was €35 for the covered stand (30 adult + 5 child) and €30 for the uncovered stand (25 adult + 5 child). Any problems in this regard may have been caused by patrons purchasing adult tickets in advance, expecting to get a discount on the day. There is no such discount on family tickets as the discount is available at the time of purchase.
Mairead Doyle, Solicitor with Michael Houlihan & Partners Solicitors joined John Cooke in studio for our weekly Free Legal Advice feature. Today’s topic focussed on child maintenance payments and arrears etc. The Free Legal Advice Centre is in conjunction with Clare Citizens Information. For details see citizensinformation.ie or contact Ennis Citizens Information Centre, Bindon Lane, Bank Place, Ennis on 0761 07 5260
Ide O’Keefe, Manager of FBD in Ennis and Rita McInerney, CEO of the Ennis Chamber of Commerce joined the show to discuss this year’s FBD Business Excellence Awards. Ennis Chamber will officially launch the awards for 2012 on Wednesday, the 20th of June from 10.15am to 11.15am with a Networking Coffee Morning in Glor Irish Music Centre, Causeway Link, Ennis. Now in its third successive year, the objective of the Awards is to recognise examples of business excellence in the county and pay tribute to the talent, dynamism and innovation to be found across the county. The FBD Clare Business Excellence Awards provide an important opportunity for the local business community to come together and celebrate their successes and to promote themselves by entering one or more or the award categories, which has proved hugely popular over the past 2 years
Máire Garvey is the “Chief Dipper” of this weekend’s Dip in the Nip event. The 2012 Dip in the Nip this year will take place on Sunday, 24th June at four different locations around the country, including Clare. The Clare Dip in the Nip is being organised in association with the Mid-western Cancer Foundation which will keep half of the monies raised at that Dip. The first Dip in the Nip was held in Sligo in 2009 and 180 women from all
over Ireland raised €56,000 for the Irish Cancer Society. Since then, there have also been a number of Men’s Dips, most recently the Blue September Dip in the Nip, and the first mixed Dip in the Nip in Galway recently for Hand in Hand Children’s Cancer Charity. Nearly €200,000 has been raised in total. It’s an experience that once done, will never be forgotten. As one veteran Dipper puts it, “Cancer is such a scary thing that whipping off your clothes and running into the sea didn’t seem so scary, and it’s very life affirming!” Registration is now open at www.dipinthenip.eu
Frankie Coote, Clare’s ISPCA Warden joined Morning Focus to offer advice on the proper care of animals. Today’s he also gave advice for dog owners who walk near rivers and lakes etc and spoke of a substantial donation of dog food made locally.
If you have a comment or query for Morning Focus please email the show – [email protected] or text the programme – Clare FM followed by your message to 53030
