Morning Focus – Monday, November 9, 2015

Pat Flynn opened the show with an interview with Education Minister, Jan O’Sullivan, who was in the county to officiate at a ceremony to mark the incorporation of Shannon College of Hotel Management with NUI Galway.
Morning Focus also welcomed US Ambassador to Ireland, His Excellency Kevin O'Malley to studio for an in-depth interview.
Pat also spoke to Dr Philip J. Smith, Head of Shannon College of Hotel Management.
Morning Focus heard the views of retailer's organisation RGDATA, who sharply criticcised local councils over town centre decline.
Pat spoke to RGDATA Director General, Tara Buckley, who said that all too often local authorities have no vision for town centres and have pursued policies that have accelerated the decline of many formerly vibrant towns. 
Morning Focus looked at Science Week (Nov.8 – 15) in the Banner County. Events discussed included the Trouble with Titanic at DeValera Library, Ennis, and ‘Totes Amazeballs Experiments’ at St Patrick's Comprehensive School, Shannon. Pat’s guest was Margie McCarthy, Education Officer with Science Foundation Ireland.
Our Monday Sports Panel was made up of Clare FM’s Derrick Lynch and Eoin Brennan of the Clare People.
Morning Focus heard about a bereavement information event organised by Milford Care Centre and Anam Cara, the national organisation that provides support services for bereaved parents and families. Pat was joined in studio by Jim Rhattigan, Head of Therapy and Social Care, Millford Care Centre and Rebecca Lloyd, Millford Care Centre.
Morning Focus met a Bridgetown entrepreneur in final of Ireland's Best Young Entrepreneur (IBYE) award. Peter Hunt of PiggyBack was Pat’s guest.