Morning Focus – Friday, December 18, 2015

Met Éireann reported this week that temperatures for December have so far been 2.5-3C warmer than usual. The weather service said that a number of factors including warming due to climate change, El Nino, and day-to-day weather variability, are all contributing to the temperatures. Gavin spoke to Clara Finkele of Met Eireann.
Gavin was joined in studio by ’Good Samaritan' Ennis priest Ennis priest, Fr Paddy Conway, who gave a lift to a drug addict who had just burgled his home. 
This week the Dáil passed legislation that will cut the bankruptcy period to one year. Gavin spoke to the chief architect of the bill, Deputy Willie Penrose, TD for Longford-Westmeath.
Our weekly arts round-up, with County Arts Officer Siobhan Mulcahy, heard about events including Aladdin in glor.
Our round-up of weekend events included a Candlelight Carol Concert featuring East Clare Community Choir and local artists at St Flannan's Church, Whitegate. Gavin also spoke with Kitty Leyden aka Mrs Claus at Bunratty Castle (for the last 15 years) about a special fundraising event she was set to host in Tulla.
The Friday Panel included Sharon Cahir, Cahir &Co. Solicitors, Ennis; Martin McMahon, Clare Chairperson ICMSA, from Broadford; and Pat Kelly Manager of the Skycourt Shopping Centre, Shannon. Topics for discussion included Conor McGregor, UFC Featherweight Champion; flooding and its aftermath in Clare; Con Lucey’s report on IFA pay and perks; the smoking ban in cars carrying children and Deputy Michael McNamara’s suspension from the Dail.
Soprano Helen Houlihan from Quin performed in studio ahead of Carols by Candlelight, a winter solstice concert at St Columba's Church, Bindon Street, Ennis with tenor Owen Gilhooly, pianist Irina Dernova and Sean Warren on cello.