Today on Morning Focus, we had the third in our series of pre-election debates. Today we were joined by, Pat Breen, Fine Gael, Cathal Crowe, Fianna Fáil, Michael McNamara, Independent and Violet Ann-Wynne, Sinn Féin.
The Election candidates will square off in a series of cross-party groupings, chosen by Clare FM, before coming together once again next week for our People’s Forum Debate.
This week’s debates are designed to give you the listener, an opportunity to hear the candidate’s views on the issues that matter the most to you, as you prepare to cast your vote on February 8th.
We invited each of the five candidates in studio this morning to outline their own policies; why they’re running in this election and why they think you should vote for them. Each Candidate will have a maximum of 60 seconds.
Each of our candidates had been informed in advance of the topics we’d be discussing but they had not been given the questions.
Both the topics and questions have been chosen by Clare FM, and are an attempt to reflect some of the most important issues facing voters here in Clare.
If there are any topics you’d like us to raise in next week’s People’s Forum, email them please, for our consideration, to focus@clare.fm or you can write to us at Clare FM, Francis Street, Ennis.
The four topics for today’s debate were:
-Agriculture
-Economy & Employment
-Broadband
-Infrastructure
If you missed it, you can listen back below:
Next on the show after the 10 am News Headlines we discussed how the IDA is to engage in talks with Roche with a view to actively pursuing an investor for the site, with Fine Gael Councillor Paul Murphy. The Swiss pharma giant announced its intention to pull out of Clare five years ago and since then two potential buyers have fallen through. However, it was announced this week that the IDA will view the brownfield site with the hopes that a lifeline could be found.
Next on Morning Focus, Kilrush-based Independent Councillor Ian Lynch joined us on-air as shock is being expressed in Kilrush after an old building that is being restored was vandalised during the week. The near-complete Turret Lodge was broken into on Tuesday night and lit a fire, smashed windows, door and walls and caused what is estimated to be several thousand euro worth of damage to the building. The Kilrush and District Historical Society, who are among those who fought for Heritage Council funding for the site, have described it as “grossly unfair” to those who fought for the site, and for the people of Kilrush.
If you missed it, you can catch it below:
Following from that we discussed Brexit as today is the day Britain leave the EU. After more than three-and-a-half years since the UK voted to leave the EU, Britain formally departs the bloc at eleven o’clock tonight, before entering an 11-month transition period. Sean Kelly, Fine Gael MEP, joined us on the line to discuss Brexit further.
To wrap up the show we heard from, Brian Byrne, Editor of Car & Travel Magazine as NCT tests are being carried out without the under-body inspection due to an issue with the lifts that elevate the vehicles. Drivers will have to return once a safety inspection is complete to get a full NCT certificate. Gardai have yet to issue advice to drivers but the Road Safety Authority says owners are responsible for the road-worthiness of their vehicle.
