Secondary Teachers across Clare mounted pickets today in oppposition to reforms of the Junior Certificate. Their second day of strike in as many months followed appeals from both the Taoiseach and Education Minister to call off the action.
Around 7,000 pupils in Clare will stay at home, as teachers protest against plans which would see them assess a portion of their students work.
On the programme, we heard from parents and students as school finished in Ennis on Wednesday afternoon to hear their views on another day of strike action. John Cooke also spoke to Peter Quinn, a teacher at St. Flannan's College and ASTI representative.
John was joined in studio by Gordon Daly, Senior Planner with Clare County Council and Johnny Flynn, Fine Gael councillor and mayor of Ennis to talk about the Draft Ennis and Environs Local Area Plan. Plans for extra housing, a motorway service station, a new road and bridge and an expansion of the town centre are among the proposals contained in what's described as the "most important plan to be prepared for Ennis in recent decades."
Also encompassing Clarecastle, it outlines plans to deal with a population increase of 7,000 over the coming years.
A copy of the Draft Plan may be inspected between 9am and 4pm from Friday 23rd January to Friday 6th March at Aras Contae an Chlair; De Valera Library, as well as all public libraries and Municipal District Offices throughout Clare. The plan is also available at www.clarecoco.ie
Once again the issue over Blake's Corner in Ennistymon came up on the programme and we heard from locals for their views on solving traffic problems there once and for all. Sheena Clancy from Ennistymon who was on the programme on Wednesday, again spoke to John about the reaction she has been getting to the issue since the proposed solution was announced during the week. She also mentioned that there is a public meeting to take place at the Falls Hotel in Ennistymon on Friday 23rd at 7.30pm.
Doctor Maura Finn was in studio for the weekly Health Matters slot and this week she dealth with travel vaccines, what's needed, when and where to get them.
You can listen to any of the weekly Health Matters by visiting clare.modus.ie/podcasts
Over 100 people gathered for a puiblic meeting in Parteen this week to discuss concerns over access to the local Kilquane Graveyard. Their access depends on collecting a key from a local landowner but local representatvies are hoping to improve that situation through council action and further meetings.
Local FF Councillor Cathal Crowe spoke to John Cooke about the meeting at Browne's in Parteen.
The 2015 Festival Programme was launched this week and features author visits, readings, lectures and workshops in various venues. Supported by Clare County Council, the three-day programme of events is expected to attract an estimated 3,000 Book Club members and literary enthusiasts from all over Ireland, Europe and North America.
John was joined in studio by Liz Kelly, Director of the Ennis Book Club Festival.
Tickets go on sale at Glor, Ennis and from www.glor.ie from Monday 26th January. Further details are available from www.ennisbookclubfestival.com or by emailing liz@ennisbookclubfestival.com
If you have comments or suggestions on the show, email focus@clare.fm
