Today on Morning Focus, we were joined in studio by Outgoing Fine Gael TD, Pat Breen following his announcement to retire from Politics.
The former Clare TD, who lost his seat in this month’s General Election, has been a prominent figure in public life in Clare for over 20 years. His political career began in 1999, when he was elected to Clare County Council as a representative for the Kilrush electoral area and was first elected to the Dáil in 2002, retaining his seat three times.
If you missed it, you can listen back below:
Following from that, Eoin Neylon Member of Udaras na hOllscoile, NUIG joined us on the line to discuss a price hike in campus accommodation. The price hike in campus accommodation in several third level institutes from September has been criticised by student unions. NUI Galway, DCU and UCD are to increase by 4%, with between 3 and 4% forecast for UL. Ballyea man Eoin Neylon is a member of the NUIG Údarás na hOllscoile and has written to the President of the University. He says that the proposed increase – which is the maximum allowed in a rent pressure zone – sends the wrong signal during what he describes as a “national housing emergency”.
Next on Morning Focus, we heard from the Marketing Manager of Sheedy’s Doolin Boutique B&B, Blathnaid Sheedy, as they have been announced as the winners of the best Irish Breakfast B&B Award. Three Clare venues have been given national recognition for their breakfasts at the Georgina Campbell Irish Breakfast Awards. Owned by Frank and Marian Sheedy, the B&B is the latest venture from the married couple who owned the Roadford House Restaurant in the village for twelve years. Since converting to also include accommodation last year, the B&B has also been highly commended in the Irish Food & Hospitality Awards 2020 in the B&B of the Year category.
Meanwhile, the Trump International Hotel in Doonbeg was Highly Commended in the Five Star Hotel category, and the Vaughan Lodge in Lahinch was Highly Commended in the Four Star Hotel category.
Internationally Acclaimed Irish artist, Jim Fitzpatrick spoke to Gavin on the show. He is best known for elaborately detailed work inspired by the Irish Celtic artistic tradition. However, his most famous single piece is rather different in style, his iconic two-tone portrait of Che Guevara created in 1968.
You can listen back to the interview below:
Then on the show, Seamus Maye of the Public Banking Forum of Ireland joined us on the line as the Irish Postmasters’ Union claims the entire post office network remains in jeopardy. It’s after new Red C research shows 86 per cent of people favour government financial support to keep their branch open. There are currently more than 900 post offices in Ireland, after over 160 shut last year.
Next on Morning Focus, we heard from UL researchers as they help tackle international child abuse image distribution. As you heard us mention on yesterday’s programme, researchers from the University of Limerick have teamed up with Brazilian police to help tackle the distribution of child abuse images. Mathematicians from the University have researched the network analysis of Brazil’s Operations Darknet, which is a federal crackdown on one of the world’s largest paedophile online forums. The Limerick-based researchers analysed how effective the operation was in disrupting the flow of content and then suggested the best ways to target the distribution. Padraig MacCarron was a member of the UL team involved and spoke to Gavin about the operation.
To wrap up today, playwright Catherine Young joined us on the line to tell us all about a new play which is set to hit glór this Saturday. The show is inspired by the experience of working with refugees and asylum seekers in Direct Provision. Catherine blends dance, music and text to delve into the world of asylum seekers to try to understand their experience, and ‘tear down the walls and borders dividing us’.
