Morning Focus began with a look at the ASTI strikes taking place today. While crunch talks went right to the wire last night, strike action by the ASTI has lead to the closure of hundreds of schools across the country. More than 17-and-a-half thousand members of the ASTI took action and around a quarter of a million students are affected. The ASTI's representative in this region is Peter Quin a teacher at St Flannan's College where up to 80 staff are picketing this morning. Fiona spoke with Peter Quinn, ASTI Organiser for Clare, teacher at St Flannans College, Ennis.
Now you may have heard new guidelines from the Vatican on how cremated ashes should be treated and stored. The new rules published by the church say that the ashes of the dead should not be scattered or kept at home but instead should be kept at a cemetery or similar sacred place. They also ban the use of ashes in mementos like jewellery – or other items, as Brian McLaughlin told us yesterday, people have even had frisbees made from them. To discuss the guidelines, Fiona was joined on the line from Israel by Fr Tom Ryan, Parish Priest from Shannon.
Fiona then took a call from Anne who’s from Ennis who wanted to warn listeners of a credit card scam doing the rounds.
And same as every Thursday we were joined by Dr Maire Finn, Ennis Medical Centre who brought Dietician Ann Griffin with her this week to discuss picky eating.
Fiona then spoke about how moves by our neighbours in the UK to step up the process of leaving the European Union have intensified concerns about what the impacts of Brexit are likely to be on Ireland. Yesterday, the Taoiseach said there was no agreement about the possible use of Irish ports for UK migration checks. He's also recently dismissed calls for the creation of an Irish ministry to handle the Brexit fall-out. Fiona was joined live in studio by Rita McInerney, CEO of Ennis Chamber of Commerce, Patrick Bourke of Patrick Bourke Menswear, Eddie Punch, Cratloe-based head of the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association, Lahinch Hotelier Michael Vaughan and Bunratty-Based Haulier Eoin Gavin.
Morning Focus then had a segment for all the foodies. The Burren Food Fayre is set to kick of this Saturday the 29th for two days and joining Fiona live in studio was Oonagh O’Dwyer from Wild Kitchen and Chris O’Neill, organizer of the Fayre.
Fiona then had an interview with one of Ireland’s best loved writers, Alice Taylor talking about her newest book ‘Tea and Talk’.
There's no doubt that the days are getting shorter – and colder – but the North Clare village of Kilfenora is already thinking of spring. This weekend, school children, parents and grandparents will be planting daffodil bulbs which are set to create a colourful scene next year. They're doing in remembrance of family members and friends who've passed on. The event is organised by Kilfenora Timeline. It was inspired by a meeting last year with an emigrant whose grandfather had planted daffodils there in the early 1900s before leaving the village for ever. Joining Fiona on the line was James Kelly, Kilfenora Timeline.
Morning Focus ended with Fergal Smith who is a member of the Moy Hill Growing Project in Lahinch. The group has recently secured five-and-a-half-thousand Euro from the Brightest Idea Awards from KBC Bank.
