Morning Focus began with a look at fracking. The Minister for Communications has said a newly-published report on 'fracking' endorses a continued ban on the practice. The EPA report, published this afternoon, notes issues about the potential impact of fracking on ground water and air quality, as well as other gaps in legislation. Fracking, or hydraulic fracturing, involves the extraction of gas from shale but opponents say it would be damaging to the environment. Large parts of the Loop Head Peninsula have been identified as being suitable for fracking.
Morning Focus began with a look at fracking. The Minister for Communications has said a newly-published report on 'fracking' endorses a continued ban on the practice. The EPA report, published this afternoon, notes issues about the potential impact of fracking on ground water and air quality, as well as other gaps in legislation. Fracking, or hydraulic fracturing, involves the extraction of gas from shale but opponents say it would be damaging to the environment. Large parts of the Loop Head Peninsula have been identified as being suitable for fracking. The report will now be referred to an Oireachtas Committee. Gavin was joined on the line by Alan Hooper, main researcher on the EPA Report from CDM Smith, and Susan Griffin from Fracking Free Clare.
Next up talk turned to Bertie Ahern. It's fair to say there's been a mixed reaction to the possibility of former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern rejoining the Fianna Fáil party. This week, the party's branch in Dublin Central passed a motion calling for a letter to be written to Ahern asking him to rejoin the party. The motion was passed unanimously by all members in attendance at a meeting on Tuesday night. However, Fianna Fáil has moved to clarify that Mr Ahern hasn't made any application as yet. It says that if and when he does, the request will be put through the same process as any other citizen. In the Dáil yesterday (Weds. Nov. 30), People Before Profit TD Bríd Smith called for the urgent implementation of planning and development laws promised before Mr Ahern made any return to political life. Tony Kileen, former Fianna Fáil Minister for Defence, joined Gavin on the line.
Following this we had Peter Quinn from the ASTI discussing the ASTI meeting over Department proposals on ending industrial action.
Talk then turned to Farmer’s health. Farmers need to give more emphasis to their health for quality of life and farm production reasons according to my next guest. Tom Gleeson of Teagasc recently addressed a gathering in Kilrush on the topic of rural isolation and called on farmers to take their health and wellbeing more seriously. It comes as research from both Ireland and internationally indicates that poor health leads to reduced ability to undertake farm work and as a consequence reduced farm income. Farmers in poor health are also susceptible to higher levels of injuries. Studies show that farmers tend to consider themselves healthy when they can carry out work, but tend to ignore health issues that could have long-term consequences. Tom Gleeson from Teagasc joined Gavin on the line.
The run-up to Christmas will see a boost for retailers and it's a welcome one given the challenges the sector has been through. This time of year, more sinisterly, also sees a boom in smuggling of items like cigarettes and retailers in Munster have decided to fight back. The group 'Retailers against Smuggling' says that over the last week, 661,00 illicit cigarettes were seized – 600,000 at Dublin Port and 61,000 cigarettes in Clonmel. A total of 840,000 illicit cigarettes were seized for the month of November alone and so far in 2016 the Exchequer has lost almost €17 million. Retailers against Smuggling represents almost 3,000 shop keepers and says it's determined to the fight the black market in Ireland. Kevin Hehirly, southern spokesperson for Retailers against Smugglers, joined Gavin on the line.
Now, we're about to hear the story of 92 girls from County Clare who left their homes and families over the last 150 years to dedicate themselves to the religous life in Australia. Some were as young as 15 and many never saw their families again. My next guest has described them as 'heroic women, who spent their lives educating children in the remote areas of Australian and New Zealand and relieving suffering wherever they saw it' and Sr Clare Ahern joined Gavin on the line.
There’s a social taking place in Garrihy's Bar, Moyasta on Saturday night, December 3. Dancing to Mountain Dew and in the bar, there'll be a session with the Railway Men. All in aid of Cahercalla Hospice. Mary Haugh, who has been fundraising for Cahercalla for decades and has raised around €30,000 over the years, joined Gavin on the line.
Now we’ve got some exciting news for music fans, Mary Coughlan will be playing the Belltable in Limerick this Friday (2nd December) at 8pm. Mary is a extraordinarily accomplished singer having released more than ten albums with her most recent, ‘Scars on the Calendar’ being released in 2015. It’s been said the stage is where Mary survives but for the time being she joined Gavin on the line.
Next up we had the rather remarkable story here about one man’s relationship with a dolphin here in Clare. George Karbus, a highly acclaimed wildlife photographer moved to the west coast of Ireland in 2004 initially living in Salthill before drifting down to Lahinch. After he arrived here he met Dusty the dolphin and the two formed a fantastic bond. George joined Gavin live in studio.
To finish the show Gavin’s next guest could safely be described as 'royalty'. Drag artist Panti Bliss, has been dubbed 'The Queen of Ireland' in a new film to be screened next week (Thurs. Dec. 8, 6.30pm) at glór in Ennis. Created by Rory O’Neill, Panti is also an accidental activist and in her own words ‘a court jester, whose role is to say the unsayable' and they both joined Gavin on the line.
