First up this morning Gavin spoke with newly re-elected Senator Martin Conway. Senator Martin Conway from Ennistymon has retained his seat in the Seanad. Martin Conway ran on the Administrative Panel, votes for which have been counted today in the concluding part of the Seanad election. He was nominated to run by the National Council for the Blind, and hs now been deemed elected as one of the top three vote-winners among the candidates who were not nominated by members of the Oireachtas. Martin Conway had previously served as a member of Clare County Council from 2004 to 2011, and was his party's Seanad spokesperson on Equality and Disabilities during the last government. He is the only one of the six Clare candidates in the Seanad election who've been successful this week.
Claims that vaping and e-cigarettes could save millions of lives by providing a safer alternative to tobacco have been dismissed by a leading Irish expert. Research published yesterday the UK's Royal College of Physicians claims there's resounding evidence that e-cigarettes are "much safer" than smoking and could help those wishing to quit. Professor Luke Clancy who's been leading research in Ireland and Europe on curbing tobacco use says there's little that's new in the findings and that there's still no proof off the effectiveness of vaping as a smoking cessation aid. He also believes that vaping normalises smoking and could be a gateway to smoking for younger people. He says the UK is unique in its approach to vaping as restrictions are tighter in the US, the rest of Europe and Australia. Professor Luke Clancy, Director General of the Research Institute for a Tobacco Free Society was on the line to tell Gavin more.
There's been lots of discussion over the last week about cuts to the Disabled People of Clare transport service following increased running costs and reduced funding. Users say cutting the service will leave them stranded and isolated. But why exactly is this transport service so important? And what makes it unique from other options? Clare FM's Cian Kearns met long-time user Margaret Kinnane at her home near Inagh and travelled with her on the service to Ennis.
The suspension of water charges is at the heart of a deal to enable Fianna Fail to support a minority Fine Gael government, but members of both parties still seem divided on that issue. For Clare FM, Cian Kearns took to the streets of Ennis to find out what the feeling is here.
The Banner are unbeaten so far this season, and face Waterford in Thurles on Sunday (May 1) as they bid to claim a first National League title in 38 years. Derrick Lynch from Clare FM Sport was in to preview the Hurling League final.
We had some great jazz from the Ko Ko Ensemble who are playing at Kilshanny House next Monday night. They were in studio to chat with Gavin and play a few tunes.
Siobhan Mulcahy, Clare County Arts Officer, was in to give a round up of all the upcoming arts week.
Then we had a round-up of the events taking place this May bank holiday weekend. We heard from Trish Hasset about the Newmarket on Fergus Agricultural Show and from Trea Heaps about the Loop Head Walking Festival.
After eleven, it was time for the Friday Panel. This week on the Panel we had Sharon Cahir Solicitor & leadership coach, Patrick O'Neill Film producer and Ger O'Halloran Businessman & JPC member. Topics up for discussion were: Irish Water – FF-FG deal to see charges suspended; Should Irish Gardai be armed?; and the cost of Communions.
Finally, we heard from Sile Callinan who told us about the Cooraclare waxathon takin place in aid of Cystic Fibrosis is Ireland this Saturday. It takes place in O'Doherty's Bar in Cooraclare at 9pm. The volunteers include members of Clare's winning senior football team.
