Morning Focus – Wednesday 18/09/19

Topics discussed on this edition of the Morning Focus included a school transport dispute, 140 years of a West Clare national school and how a ‘street classroom’ is being planned to teach politicians about climate change.

There was a radio first for Clare FM, as Morning Focus welcomed an entire national school to studio. Clohanbeg NS are a fine example of a tiny, but thriving rural national school, it was first opened in 1879 and will soon be celebrating their 140th anniversary. Bishop Fintan Monahan will celebrate mass at the school on Saturday next (Sept 21, 2pm) with an afternoon of music, singing and dancing to follow. Principal Pat Comer and some of the school’s 16 pupils joined us in studio to tell us more.

Listen back below:

CONTINUE READING BELOW

The show opened with a discussion with Ingrid Flynn a busy working mum from Ballynacally, who joined us in studio as she has found herself in a bit of predicament with regards bus transport to school for her two sons. They attend the community college in Kildysart but, because of a technical issue which delayed their online payment, they’re now without the service which they’ve previously relied on.
There are wider concerns too among other families whose children attend the school, because of the re-routing of some bus services. Denis O’Rourke, principal of St John Bosco Community College, Kildysart also joined Gavin in the studio to discuss how this transport issue has impacted the school.

Then on Morning Focus Padraic McElwee, CEO, Clare Local Enterprise Office joined Gavin in the studio to discuss the practical guide the Government has recently launched for local businesses to help them prepare for Brexit. ‘Getting Your Business Brexit Ready- Practical Steps’ offers a roadmap for the coming weeks and months, outlining nine key steps for companies to follow.

Listen back below:

We learned last night (Tue, Sept 17) that Kepak is to suspend a planned €6.5 million investment in its facility at Drumquin near Ennis, as protests continue over beef prices. Processing at the factory has been suspended since early August, and Kepak has accused protesters of “creating chaos in the Irish beef industry with little regard for its long-term future.” Over the last two months, we’ve been tracing developments, which culminated in a deal being hammered out over the weekend. Despite the proposals, significant numbers continue to protest in Clare and elsewhere. We heard from Michael McNamara, Farmer & barrister, former Labour TD for Clare who believes that despite the axed investment, farmers should stand firm.

Next, on the show Peter Tyndall, the Ombudsman joined Gavin on air. Mr. Tyndall will be in Clare tomorrow (Thurs, Sept 19) at the West County Hotel, Ennis from 10am-7pm to advise on resolving complaints. The visit will also see watchdog Peter Tyndall meet with senior officials in Clare County Council, Ennis Hospital and the Revenue Commissioners to discuss complaint handling and how complaints can be used to improve the delivery of public services. The Ombudsman team will also visit a direct provision accommodation centre in Lisdoonvarna to provide advice and take any complaints.

Listen back below:

The Fridays for Future Clare participants took to the streets to make their views known on climate change during the last school term. They’ll be out again taking part in what they say will be a significant school strike in the county town on Friday (Sept 20) in solidarity with a global strike by students all over the world. Here in Ennis a large peaceful demonstration is planned as well as a ‘street classroom’ where students will teach politicians about climate change. Some of the students involved; Eleanor Dagnall-Wise
Wiame Kanane, Kate Harty and Aine Dempsey joined Gavin in studio to tell us more.

Listen back below:

To finish today’s Morning Focus we heard from John Underhill of Burren Vets for our Ask the Vet segment.

Listen back below: