On Monday's Morning Focus with Gavin Grace
The latest ISME, Quarterly Bank Watch Survey released today (8thJune), shows thatwhile demand for bank lending has increased to the highest in eight years, the delays in bank decisions has increased further, creating problems for SMEs who are ready to expand and develop their business. The Association called on the Central Bank to investigate these delays to ensure that SMEs are properly serviced by the bailed out banks as the economy shows fragile signs of recovery. Mark Fielding ISME – Chief Executive spoke to Gavin.
Austrian officials say emergency measures which have allowed thousands of refugees to travel freely from Hungary to western Europe will be phased out. The Hungarian Prime Minister insists they can't accept the quotas being proposed by the European Union, while Greece has asked the EU for humanitarian aid to help the vast number of refugees there. More than 18-thousand people arrived in Germany over the weekend, while thousands more are at the border between Hungary and Serbia waiting to be processed. Meanwhile – Taoiseach Enda Kenny has said the number of asylum-seekers to be received by Irelandcould surpass the figure of 1,800 suggested by Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald.The European Commission is expected to unveil a new proposal next week to relocate an extra 120,000 refugees across the European Union, amid mounting calls for a united EU response to the migrant crisis unfolding across Europe. This is in addition to the 32,000 migrants that the EU agreed to accept in June. Following this we heard from Fr Harry Bohan P.P. Sixmilebridge and Fr Des Hillery Administrator Killaloe Diocese.
Ennis has the highest number of pass rates at driving test centres of any town in the country.
69 per cent of people who took their driving test in the county town in 2014 passed, while in Sligo 68 per cent passed and in Carrick-on-Shannon 67 per cent of people were granted their full licence.
The figures have been released by the Road Safety Authority who compared the pass rate at 20 test centres around the country. The lowest pass rate was in Letterkenny at 59 per cent. This morning we heard from Mella Malone of Mellas School of Motoring Ennis and Reporter Mary McMaquire from Her. Ie
The Burren and Cliffs of Moher has successfully retained its Geopark designation for a further period following a reassessment and revalidation by the UNESCO supported Global Geopark Network.
The designation is subject to review every four years and an assessment, which was conducted by Dr. Klaus George from Germany and Dr. Margaret Wood from Wales in County Clare in June.
The announcement was made this week at the 13th European Geoparks Conference 2015 in Rokua Geopark, Finland. Dr Eamon Doyle Burren and Cliffs of Moher Geopark shares his delight in this news.
Garda Focus next with Joe Downey Crime Prevention Officer Ennis Garda Station – Appealing for your help in solving recent local crime.
It is proposed that, in the coming weeks, up to 16 MABS services will provide Dedicated Mortgage Arrears MABS, offering support to distressed borrowers within the catchment area and, where required, delivering support from urban centres and towns in areas across the country including Ennis. Michael Culloty Social Policy and Communications Officer MABS Nationally had more.
One Month on from taking over her role as Director in Glor – Liz Kelly joins us to speak a little about how she is finding role so far, what is on Glor's Agenda coming into the Autumn and her experience working in the Clare Arts scene so far.
Marking the 40th anniversary of the death and burial of Éamon de Valera, surely the most controversial and divisive figure of Irish history, and a man who personified Ireland and its struggle for international recognition. Éamon de Valera died in Linden Convalescent Home, Blackrock, County Dublin on 29 August 1975 aged 92. His body lay in state at Dublin Castle and was given a full state funeral on 3 September at St Mary's Pro-Cathedral, which was broadcast on national television. He is buried in Dublin's Glasnevin Cemetery with his wife and children. Eamon Delaney Commetator and author – “Breaking the Mould” featuring the life and times of Dev spoke to Gavin.
Morning Focus Sports Panel with Derrick Lynch Clare FM's Sport and Eoin Brennan Sports Journalist Clare People – looking back at all the action over the weekend including Clare Senior Hurling Championship Quarter Final stages and Liam McCarthy's heading back to Kilkenny for the 36th time today. This follows the Cats' 1-22 to 1-18 victory over Galway at Croke Park.
Donal Gallagher Brother of Rory Gallagher – of The Taste and considered “The Greatest Guitarist ever” spoke to Gavin Grace following the release of “I’ll Remember” an extensive four-disc boxset from Ireland’s first seminal rock band, Rory Gallagher’s,Taste. Over half of the tracks are officially unreleased material, including live recordings and demos, as well as remastered versions of their two studio albums “Taste” and “On The Boards”. Released on 28th August on Polydor through Universal Music Catalogue.
If you wish to contact the show please email focus@clare.fm
