The President of the Irish Farmers Association, John Bryan was live in studio this morning to discuss the role of agriculture and talked about its future. Mr. Bryan was in Ennis to attend the IFA AGM which took place last night. Mr. Bryan spoke about CAP reform; which he says could have "a devastating effect on Irish agriculture" because proposed changes to the Single Farm Payment could result in farmers losing up to 50% of EU income. He described plans to link 30% of payments to environmental farming as too complicated and too bureaucratic.Mr Bryan said the document, which runs to around 1,000 pages, was very disappointing because the stated aim was to simplify the CAP but the outcome was the opposite.
The current CAP runs out at the end of 2013 and the next policy will operate between 2014 and 2020. Andrew Dundas from Ardnacrusha also joined the show; Andrew is the newly elected Chairman of the IFA in Clare. Andrew is a dairy, suckler and beef farmer based in Dromin, Ardnacrusha. Aged 54 he took over the family farm in 1974 – He’s a long time member of Clare IFA and a Board Member of Sixmilebridge mart.
Anna Kulikowska, a Polish native living in Ennis joined John Cooke in studio to discuss the controversial article in the Independent this week which has caused quite a stir among the Polish community in Ireland. The article quotes from a report in a Polish newspaper that features an interview with “Magda” who boasts about living the good life on the dole in Donegal. But members of the Polish Community here have moved to clarify the matter saying ‘Magda’ – as the woman is named – has been misquoted
Also on today’s show;
Professor John Fitzpatrick is the newly Appointed Head of Research with the Irish Cancer Society. He spoke to Morning Focus ahead of World Cancer Day 2012 which takes place on Saturday – Feb 4th. Cancer is a major cause of death and disease in this country with cancer rates expected to rise from 30,000 new cases diagnosed annually to 40,000 by 2020. Prof. Fitzpatrick has considerable experience in cancer research, which has been recognised nationally and internationally, having been Professor of Surgery and Consultant Urologist at the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital and University College Dublin since 1986. “Mary” a representative of Slainte an Chlair –Clare Cancer Support Centre in Kilnamona also joined the show to talk about local events being held to mark World Cancer Day. There will be a Support Mass of Healing & Blessing this Saturday Feb 4th at Quilty Church at 1pm and a Vintage Car Run on Sunday February 5th at 11am. It starts at Tir Na nOg in Cranny. Anyone interested contact Gerry O’ Dea on 9050235 or 087 6236906
Senan Moloney is the Author of The Irish Aboard Titanic which featured the biographies and histories of many of the Irish who perished on the Titanic 100 years ago. The Centenary of the sinking of the Titanic is coming up in April and to mark the occasion a new revised edition of a book charting the fate of the Irish Aboard the Titanic is now on local bookshelves. This book is an encyclopaedic collection of accounts of that ill-fated night from the 187 Irish passengers and crew, featuring letters, interviews, newspaper reports, family memories and White Star Line records.
Tony Kirby, a Walking tourism operator and Author of The Burren and the Aran Islands – A Walking Guide spoke to John Cooke about a guided walk at this Sunday just north of the village of Carran. The highlight of the walk will be a visit to the monastic site of St. Cronan with outstanding features including a holy well, a reliquary shrine and one of the region’s finest Romanesque churches.
If you have a comment or query for Morning Focus please email focus@clare.fm or text Clare FM at 53030
