Morning Focus began with an issue that’s hitting many parts of the west and that’s Cryptosporidium showing up in water supplies. As you may have heard in our news services, the Environmental Protection Agency says the tap water for 830-thousand people needs extra work to make it safe. Over 100 public drinking water supplies are at risk and in some cases not enough is being done to prevent the parasite Cryptosporidium from entering the supply. The parasite can cause serious health issues. In this county, there are boil notice in Carron and New Quay (because of cryptosporidium) – though those are expected to be lifted in the coming weeks. The EPA's latest report on drinking water report also highlights issues with 8 other supplies in this county – serving close to 3,000 people. 7 were found not to have function chlorine alarms. Fiona was joined on the line by Aoife Loughnane from the Environmental Protection Agency to discuss the problem.
Fiona then spoke about a Community ‘Think In’ hosted by the Green Party to discuss practical solutions to some of the problems people face in rural parts of the country. Éamon Ryan, Leader of the Green Party joined Fonia on the line to give more information.
As listeners will remember, there was some concern locally when suicide support services were withdrawn from Ennis. This followed the scandal involving the Console charity. When the service was taken over by Pieta House, it continued for a time, but due to issues with a lease for premises, the service transferred to Limerick. As you'll have heard on Morning Focus, all the stops were pulled out to restore the service to Clare and Pieta House has now opened a new outreach centre at Chapel Lane in Ennis (one day a week on Wednesdays – phone 061 306792). Tom McEvoy of Pieta House joined Fiona on the line.
Morning Focus then turned to Halloween and while it's become increasingly commercialised in recent years, Hallowe'en has its roots in very ancient traditions – many of which are still alive and well across Munster. Joining Fiona on the line to discuss the pagan festival of Samhain was Dr Margaret Humphries of the Department of Folklore in UCC.
Fiona then spoke about the issue of the skin condition psoriasis and how it affects people in Ireland. A major survey called 'Clear About Psoriasis' found that around 80 percent of sufferers experienced discrimination or humiliation. Dr Nicola Ralph, a consultant dermatologist with the Mater Hospital in Dublin spoke to Fiona about the condition.
We then had our weekly arts round-up with Siobhan Mulcahy, Clare County Arts Officer:
Music
Friday – Kilshanny – Lisdoonvarna – Micilin Conlon Celebration
Sunday – Kilfenora – Burren Winterage Festival
Tuesday – Halloween event in Cois na hAbhna, Ennis
Visual Arts
Sat & Sun – Workshop in Tuamgraney
Film
Weds – Kilkee – Son of Saul
Theatre
Weds – Kilkee – Clare Youth Theatre
Thurs – Man of La Mancha in Shannon
An Ennis primary school is raising funds to provide dedicated ambulance services for sick children. Pamela McCarthy from Scoil Chríst an Rí joined Fiona live in studio to talk about the fundraiser and joining her on the line was Tom Heffernan, CEO of the Saoirse Foundation.
We then had our Friday Panel. Topics discussed this week were:
ASTI and GRA Strikes.
Aer Lingus Flight Cancellations in Shannon.
Proposed Alcohol Bill.
Justin Timberlake in trouble for taking a selfie.
Guests this week were Eileen Woodford, from Nucleus Coaching, Michael McNamara, Former Clare TD and Bernadette Kenny, CEO of Bluebox Charity, Limerick.
To finish off the show we had an interview with three-time Grammy Award winner Jimmy Webb ahead of his event in the Lime Tree Theatre, Limerick, ‘An Evening with Jimmy Webb’.
