On Monday's edition of Morning Focus with Marian Egan
Fiona Whyte from Miltown Malbay joined us in studio to talk about the introduction of surrogacy clinics in Ireland, as well as legislation around the controversial issue. Fiona and her husband Sean had their twin babies Donal and Ruby delivered through a surrogate mother in India in 2013. Sean and Fiona said they made their story public to ensure surrogacy can become an option for other people.Last week Health Minister Leo Varadker announced new legislation that would result in embryo donation, embryo screening, sperm/egg donation and stem cell research to be regulated for the first time –commercial surrogacy to be banned.
RoseMary Scott is the Health Promotion Officer with The Irish Cancer Society. The Irish Cancer Society has welcomed rules limiting the use of sunbeds, but says they don't go far enough. Starting today so-called "happy hours" are banned. That means there'll be no more unlimited or free use of tanning beds.The Irish Cancer Society has stopped short of calling for an outright ban, but Rosemary Scott, says certain skin types should be prevented from using them.
Representatives of second level teacher unions met on Friday for further talks in the row over Junior Cycle reform. Mediator Dr Pauric Travers has proposed a 60-40 breakdown but proposed the exam be split in two. He suggested the assessments by teachers and the traditional exams be recorded separately and not combined. Teachers unions called for more talks after they rejected the compromise plan. However Education Minister Jan O'Sullivan is still pressing ahead with the changes, even without teachers' cooperation, and today officials from her Department are briefing school managers and parents. Teacher at St. Flannan's in Ennis Peter Quinn, a member of the ASTI standing committee, spoke to Marian on the issue and says they should be talking with teachers instead.
In our Garda Focus slot, Crime Prevention Officer, Ennis Garda Station, Sergeant Joe Downey joined us in studio appealing for your help in solving recent local crime. Seargeant Downey outlined a number of incidents – including a number of recent bulgaries in the Ennis area.
Mental Health Community Residences in the HSE Mid West go Tobacco Free from today. HSE is committed to promoting the health of patients, staff and visitors – They are implementing a “Tobacco Free Campus” in all Mental Health settings in Limerick, Clare and North Tipperary. This initiative commenced on Oct 1st 2014 with Day Hospitals, Day Centres and Child/Adolescent Mental Health Services becoming tobacco free – today is the launch of the 2nd phase, covering all Mental Health Community Residences. Mary MacMahon Smoking Cessation Specialist with Clare Health Promotion Services further outlined the initiative to Marian.
Seachtain na Gaeilge (Irish Language Week) is an international Irish language festival and one of the biggest celebrations of our native language and culture that takes place each year in Ireland and in many other countries. This year’s festival is running from 1 – 17 March 2015.
Brendan MacFhoinghaile, Development Officer with An Clàr as Gaeilge joined Marian in studio to run through the importance of Seachtain na Gaeilge and to talk about the specific events happening in Clare.
Finally John Murphy from the Clare branch of Birdwatch Ireland and our resident Wildlife Expert joined us in studio to talk today about what best to feed the birds this time of the year, The Dipper bird and bird nesting this season.
If you would like to contact Morning Focus – email: focus@clare.fm
