On today’s Afternoon Show Gavin Grace spoke to Tom Collins, Director of the National Centre for Taxation Studies at the University of Limerick about how the Taoiseach is insisting that Ireland does not do special tax rate deals with companies. Enda Kenny says there are no extra low rates for multinational firms operating here. His comments come following a report by the US Senate – which claims that Ireland’s tax laws enable Apple to avoid paying billions of dollars in tax. However the Taoiseach says Ireland’s tax rate is clear, transparent and consistent – and reports suggesting otherwise are incorrect.
Annalise Murphy, Irish Sailor and Olympian was also a guest of The Afternoon Show. Annalise is currently ranked 13th in the world and represented Ireland at the London Olympics. There she won her first four days of sailing, on the fifth day, came in 8th and 19th position. On the sixth day of sailing, she finished 2nd and 10th and slipped down to second, just one point behind the Belgian world number one. She was a very strong contender for the gold medal but in the medal race she was overtaken on the final leg by her competitors and finished in 4th, her personal best at a world-class regatta. Annalise spoke to Gavin about achieving your goals, facing challenges and more. She is currently a Nurofen Big Lives Trust Ambassador. The newly launched Nurofen Big Lives Trust will be offering ten Irish people who are passionate about life and have a Big Life dream €1,500 each to help make their plans a reality. Entry is free. To apply, visit www.facebook.com/nurofenireland
Aidan Courtney from The Ennis Book Shop joined us for his weekly book review and today discussed
“The Secrets of the Irish Landscape”, which is a hardback book that’s accompanying the television series of the same name. It’s edited by Matthew Jebb and Col Crowley, published by Atrium and Cork University Press. He also reviewed "The Irish: A Photohistory", a collection of images dating back as far as 1840, from Sean Sexton and Christine Kinealy.
Mary O’Brien is a member of the Ballyvaughan Fanore Walking Club who organise the annual Clare Burren Marathon Challenge. So far over a thousand people have done so. Also the Walking Club will be organising walks each weekend and have been hosting visiting walking groups from around the country in recent weeks, which they say are offering a much needed boost to the north Clare economy. The marathon event gets underway at 9am on Saturday morning. People can register online at www.clareburrenmarathonchallenge.com or for more information call 087 777 9714.
Also joining The Afternoon Show today was North Clare outfit – Purple Electric. Purple Electric is a pop rock group that have been together since secondary school. They have been making a name for themselves on the local live music scene. They are now in college (bar one who’s in Leaving Cert) and the group have gone from strength to strength. The band includes Doolin’s Cian Doherty on drums, Kilshanny brothers Eoin and Brian Davies on vocals and bass respectively, Laurence Egan, from Ennistymon on keyboards, Máiread Healy from Ennistymon on vocals and also from Ennistymon – James Cotter on lead guitar. Most recently they earned acclaim in the Red Bull Bedroom Jam competition, and while they didn’t win, it’s helped raise their profile. You may remember the band from last years Clare’s Got Talent where they did very well. They joined Clare FM’s Máire Moynahan in studio for a chat about their music and their plans to bring out their first EP. Purple Electric will be in Ennis on Saturday June 1st where they’ll be playing in Brandon’s while on Sunday June 2nd they’re in The Falls Hotel in Ennistymon.
To contact the show please email afternoon@clare
