On today's Morning Focus with gavin Grace
Nursing staff at Maternity UHL are to take industrial action. Members of the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) and SIPTU Nursing are to hold a lunchtime protest on this Friday outside the University Maternity Hospital, Limerick. Since February 2015 midwives have engaged, via their unions, with HSE management on a range of issues they believe are compromising care at the hospital. These include increases in activity and complexity of maternity cases; inadequate staffing in the labour ward at night; and 'unsafe' levels of staffing in the Emergency Department. Industrial Relations Officer, Mary Fogarty spoke to Gavin about what will happen.
The government unveiled a new 27 billion euro, six-year capital spending plan on Tuesday. It promises to create 45,000 construction jobs nationally. For this region, that will provide for the relocation of University Maternity Hospital, Limerick to the site of the main hospital campus in Dooradoyle. 42 million euro in funding has been announced for the Shannon River Crossing project at Killaloe. In addition, capital spending plan. (That project, which is subject to the outcome of a judicial review, consists of the Shannon Bridge Crossing, the Killaloe bypass, and upgrading works costing €16.6m on the road linking Ballina and Birdhill.) Senator Martin Conway, a Fine Gael Oireachtas member for Clare and Noleen Moran, a Sinn Fein Candidate spoke about this on Morning Focus.
Brian Nevin, an Ennis man, was on the flight EI-110 for Shannon and he told us the story of the emergency landing. Aer Lingus is working to make alternative travel arrangements for passengers after a plane had to make an emergency landing in New York. Shannon-bound flight EI-110 returned to JFK airport 15 minutes after take-off yesterday evening because of technical difficulties. It's reported smoke was detected in part of the plane on landing, and emergency services at the Port Authority were on the ground to deal with the incident which happened at about half past seven local time. The company says 110 passengers, who were bound for Shannon airport will be accommodated on the next available flights. No-one was injured in the incident.
Collette Cowan, the CEO of UL Hospitals Group spoke to Gavin about how they welcomed news of a new maternity hospital on a site alongside UHL, saying the move will provide mothers and babies in the region with 'the care and comfort they deserve'. Works have already begun and UL Hosptials Group says the project will move along 'expeditiously'.
Comedian, Oliver Callan, who is an Award-winning satirical impressionist, is fresh from his hit TV and radio series, Callan’s Kicks on RTÉ, and he’s taking to the stage at Glor in Ennis (November 28) for a night of live music, satire and comedy sending up the top names in politics, sport and entertainment. The controversial mimic returns with a brand new show satirising the hot topics of the day after another year of scandal and controversy across Ireland and the world. Featuring a new array of characters from Conor McGregor to Imelda May and Marty Morrissey to Rachel Allen, as well as old favourites Taoiseach Enda and President Michael D Higgins; a huge range of issues will get the Callan treatment in this biting live show.
Tommy Fleming, is helping out with a fundraiser for Killimer Parish in Knockerra Hall, Saturday, October 3 at 8pm. The Sligo native, Tommy is an international multi-award winning singer. In addition to his award-winning albums and live performances, he has just made the move into acting in a brand new original drama/musical entitled ‘Paddy’. This must-see show – co-written by Tommy Fleming alongside singer/songwriter Gerry Carney and Tommy Marren. Joining Gavin in studio, Tommy also played a song.
Health insurance price hike is making headlines this week. The Irish Examiner reports this week that families face a €105 rise in health insurance each year, while adults will have to pay almost €40 more, as the country’s largest insurer has once again pushed up its prices. Vhi Healthcare announced the increase and said rates will rise by up to 5%. The increase is to come into effect in the coming weeks. It will be the second in as many years. Vhi said the average price rise will be 2%. Clare FMs Edel bane asked the people of Clare if they had health insurance and a shocking amount of people do not have insurance.
Orla Meere of Meere's Pudding, Kilfilum, Quin spoke about Meeres Pork Products which has won two Irish Quality Food Awards. Meeres came out top in the black pudding and white pudding category. They also won The Gold Small Producer Award. Meeres is a family-run business that have moved from supplying local to now no.1 supplier to Tesco, Supervalu and Dunnes Stores. Orla's father Pat Meere and his uncle, Oliver, are the founders of Meere's Pork Products.
The Burns Sisters, Annie and Marie, veterans fo the American folk music scene are two of twelve children and all the siblings are involved in either music, television or the movie industry. They have toured on numerous occasions with Arlo Guthrie as backing singers in his band and as an opening act for his concerts. For the past fifteen years The Burns Sisters have performed at the annual Woody Guthrie Festival in Okemah, Oklahoma. Marie Burns has done extensive research into the Irish Workhouse system and their latest album features a song titled "Workhouse". Both Annie and Marie have been involved in the No Fracking campaign in their home state. They sang 'Good Made Woman' and 'Work House' for Gavin studio.
