On Wednesday’s Morning Focus John Cooke spoke with Joe Russell, General Manager of Doonbeg Golf Club Resort
He said at least six international buyers have expressed an interest in purchasing the luxury resort
Though receivers were appointed to the West Clare facility on Monday, customers and suppliers have been told that it’s business as usual and staff have been assured their positions are safe
Doonbeg Lodge is a major employer in West Clare, with over 230 staff on it’s books during the peak of last summer’s tourist season
And Joe says he is confident this will continue and expects the receivership process to be resolved within six weeks.
The government has promised money will be made available to Clare communities in need of extensive repairs following the recent stormy weather
John spoke with Junior Finance Minister Brian Hayes who promised that people ‘will see action’, even though Ministers have opted not to release emergency funds
They’ve decided to wait until Councils draw up detailed damage reports, a process which will take five weeks.
However, Minister Hayes says the government is determined to ensure that money is made available quickly, once all information is made available.
Tom Tiernan, Senior Engineer with Clare County Council, also spoke with John
He said that Clare County Council is already carrying out works, even though there is no provision for these in it’s spending plan for 2014
The Council says it’s optimistic government will provide moneys for this at a later date, but they couldn’t wait for this to arrive before making repairs.
Calls have been made by Ennis Town Councillor Paul O’Shea for new legislation to be put in place to allow restaurants to carry epipens in their first aid box
This is a device used to combat anaphylaxis, the serious allergic reaction that is rapid in onset and may cause death
Councillor O’Shea is outside the Dail today to highlight the issue, it comes following the tragic death of 14 year old Emma Slone who died outside a Dublin restaurant just before Christmas as a result of a nut allergy
Michael Vaughan, President of the Irish Hotels’ Federation, also supported this call on behalf of restaurants and hotels.
Farmers in the areas of Carigaholt, Kilbaha and Ross Bay have expressed concern that their farms and therefore their livelihoods have been left devestated following the storm that raveged Clares coastline
The sea water hasn’t receded leaving the grass burnt from the salt water with no other option but for farmers to resow
John spoke with Chairman of the Clare branch of the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association Martin McMahon who said these farmers need to be included when the funding is being dished out by Government
It’s feared that milk and fodder trucks that will need to use these routes in the coming weeks to get to many of these farms won’t be able to travel the badly damaged roads
Kilbaha farmer Patrick Blake spoke with John and said the situation need action immediately
He went on to say money can be found for other issues it must be found for this one
The nationwide bill pegged at 65 million euro and West Clare Farmers are concerned they are at the bottom of the list
Ross Bay farmer Joseph Bonfill, whose land has also been very badly damaged, expressed his concern and urgency for action.
Paul Wolfe of Clare Citizens’ Information Service joined John in studio to answer listeners’ queries
Contact the Clare Citizens’ Information Service on 0761 07 5260.
If you have a story for Morning Focus email [email protected]
