The Minister for Employment and Small Business, Pat Breen TD, has been on a five-day Enterprise Ireland Trade Mission to the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul in Minnesota, one of the largest medtech clusters in the United States.
Eighteen Irish life sciences companies participated on the mission which aimed to highlight Ireland as a key hub for innovative life sciences solutions and to explore business and research opportunities in the Twin Cities area where approximately 700 medtech companies are based.
Despite the global recession, the Irish life sciences sector has continued to grow and has evolved into one of the leading global clusters with direct employment of 50,000 people and exports of more than €50 billion annually.
Gavin spoke to Minister Breen on the programme about his trade mission to the US.
With the news this week that Davy Fitzgerald has resigned as Manager of the Clare Senior hurlers, Gavin was joined in studio by Joe Cooney, Chairman of the Clare County Board.
A Baby Box initiative is being launched at University Maternity Hospital Limerick today Friday next, Sept 23rd. Baby Boxes have long been used in Finland and have been credited there with helping bring down infant mortality rates. More recently they have been introduced in hospitals in the UK and Canada but this is the first time an Irish hospital has taken the idea on. The initiative is about much more than the box itself and there is a significant element around education.
Consult Obstetrician Dr Mendinaro Imcha spoke to Gavin and explained what the Baby Box was about.
The much anticipated new LEADER programme for Co. Clare will finally get off the ground at a launch event in Inagh today. Marian Harkin MEP will perform the official launch at a Clare Local Development Company showcase event attended by community groups, entrepreneurs, environmental groups, local authority members and various local organisations from around the county.
The LEADER programme in Clare will officially open today in Inagh Community Hall at 2pm.
Doirin Graham, Chief Executive with Clare Local Development Company spoke to Gavin.
Clarisford Park is a community and sport facility in Killaloe, Co. Clare. Located on the banks of the River Shannon, the park consists of intergenerational sports hall and dressing rooms, playing fields, sand based all weather facility, training paddocks, running/walking trail and a community park.
The Clarisford Project has been supported by Clare County Council, LEADER, Clare Local Development Company, The Ireland Funds, Sports Capital Programme, Clare Sports Partnership, Irish Sport, Dormant Accounts Fund in addition to local clubs, businesses and the community of Killaloe Ballina.
It is being officially launched this evening by Finance Minister, Michael Noonan TD at 6pm. That will be followed by 'Game of 2 Halves', rugby and soccer with teams made up of a host of international, national, county and community clum members. Referee is Pat Shortt.
Gavin was joined on the show by Joss Lowry who spoke about the development of Clarisford Park and about what will be happening at the official opening.
Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness in Ireland for those aged over 50. We have eye specialists available for interview, plus people living with AMD, and also representatives from Fighting Blindness and the NCBI – national sight loss organisation. So loads of people involved all trying to raise awareness for this eye condition to help people recognise the symptoms as early as possible.
AMD week, to raise awareness for Age-Related Macular Degeneration is taking place this week and free eye tests and information to the public about AMD will be available in the optometrists below in your county offering free testing for the week as well as in testing van locations across the country.
Marjorie O'Connell who suffers from AMD spoke to Gavin about how the condition affects her. Gavin also spoke to optician Greg Gilna who explained what AMD is and how it is diagnosed.
County Arts Officer Siobhan Mulcahy came into studio to chat about the various events happening in the arts scene. Anna Scanlon told us about the Slavic Harvest Festival which is taking place at 'The Local' in Ennis on Saturday 24th September. We also heard about a fashion show taking place at the Bellbridge House Hotel on Saturday in aid of the William Winder Rainbow Foundation.
Our Friday Panel of Ger O'Halloran, Dermot Hayes and Orla Vaughan discussed the news of the week including; the Local Property Tax, Budget 2017, Drink Driving, Davy Fitzgerald and 'Brangelina'
The Clare Ladies Footballers this weekend go in search of the All Ireland Intermediate title.
The side travel to Croke Park on Sunday to face Kildare, a side they've already beaten this year when they met in the League.
Gavin previewed the match with David O'Brien, former Clare Ladies Manager and Kieran Harvey who has four daughters on the Clare Ladies Panel.
