On Friday's Morning Focus with Pat Flynn
It's a busy time for the Irish Aviation industry – last year 25 and a half million passengers flew through Irish airports – an increase of 7 percent. Business is booming at Dublin airport in particular, which saw a 15 percent increase in passengers in the first half of the year. Launching the first National Aviation Policy, Transport Minister Paschal Donohoe pointed to the 4 billion euro the industry contributes each year – supporting 26 thousand jobs and a further 16 thousand indirectly. The policy's main focus is safety, and it's also looking at emerging markets to improve connectivity. Minister Donohoe says the main airports in Dublin, Cork and Shannon will be retained by the state, which has also committed to supporting the regional airports. Clare FG TD Joe Carey and FF TD and Transport Spokesperson Timmy Dooley both spoke to us on this.
David McManus General Manager of Hotel Woodstock spoke to us next about the 50 jobs created at Woodstock Hotel, after the Choice Hotel Group bought the upmarket 67-bed hotel on the Shanaway Road, Ennis, for a reported €1m-plus
Clare Fms Sean Reidy headed back to Kilrush this week to meet the brave and courageous members of the Kilrush RNLI Lifeboats team – there he heard of first experiences on the lifeboat and what goes into making that journey out to sea.
Our panel of three guests from around the county joined us in studio to take a look back at this week biggest news stories, including Ibrahim Halawa and Deputy Pat Breen's visit to Cairo and the Student Accommodation Crisis. Joining us this week were Peter O Connell of the Clare Champion, John Quinlivan Chairman Friends of Shannon Airport and Mark Dunphy of Dunphy PR
Finally we had a round up of weekend events including The Dan Fury Weekend and The 6th Annual Fanore – Marathon/10k/5k Challenge.
Contact Morning Focus on focus@clare.fm
