Morning Focus opened with a look at the AGSI conference, taking place this week in Westport, County Mayo. Gardai say they’re ill-prepared for a terrorist attack, and aren’t even briefed on the matter. The Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors is holding its annual conference in Westport, where it will call on the Garda Commissioner to inform frontline gardai about terrorism threats. Gavin spoke with Tom Brady, Security Editor Independent News & Media.
As efforts to resolve the stalemate on forming a new government continues, a number of organisations representing vulnerable people in society have expressed their concern. This week, St Vincent de Paul, Barnardos and the Disability Federation of Ireland have called on politicians to take action, as we protracted talks continue.
Gavin spoke with Anne Marie Flanagan, a local disability campaigner who fought in advance of the General Election to ensure Clare election candidates committed to working for their rights, if elected to the 32nd Dail.
At a hustings organised by the Clare Leader Forum, Anne Marie and other outlined high priorities for persons with disabilities including signing up to Article 19 of the UN Convention on Human Rights; individualised budgets for those with disabilities and the proper allocation of the mobility allowance. Anne Marie says that the delays in forming a government means these issues have been left in limbo. Anne Marie also lobbies for mental health services and says vulnerable people are being ignored as the government formation talks continue.
Gavin also spoke to John Cullinane, Clare Area President of St Vincent de Paul.
The number of people waiting for an outpatient appointment at the region's main hospital rose by almost 1500 in March.
Figures from the National Treatment Purchase Fund show there are now a total of 21,395 awaiting appointments at University Hospital Limerick with over 8,600 on the list for 6 months or more.
There were also 32 more people due an appointment at Ennis Hospital at the end of March than there were at the end of February.
As these figures were released Ireland South MEP Deirdre Clune has called on the HSE to do more to raise awareness of the Cross Border Healthcare Directive. Ms Clune says this allows Irish patients on waiting lists to access their treatment in another EU country and get reimbursed by the HSE. Yet last year, only 215 patients availed of the opportunity.
Clune says that Irish patients and doctors do not seem to be aware of the EU Cross Border Healthcare Directive and has called on the HSE to launch an information campaign to let patients know their rights. Gavin spoke to MEP Clune about this issue.
Morning Focus then looked at what life is like with dyslexia and what can be done to support those with the condition.
Breda Coughlan is a former paediatric nurses. Her eldest son Andrew struggled with reading and writing and the family's efforts to find support for him lead Breda to retain in a system which she believes has made a huge difference. She told Gavin how she then trained herself in the system, which puts a focus on visual memory as a way to boost learning – www.ateasewithdyslexia.com
The ongoing issue of dog fouling – particularly on Clare's beaches – is to be tackled by the local authority in a major media campaign.
Meanwhile, it's been reported (Clare People, April 16) that an audio warning system, which was rolled out in 2014 in Kilkee and Lahinch, will be wound up. Gavin was joined in studio by Karen Foley, Environmental Awareness Officer, Clare County Council and later by Frankie Coote, Clare County Dog warden.
Gavin heard that the Burren College of Art will unveil its MFA (Master of Fine Art) graduate exhibition next Saturday evening (April 16, 6pm). The opening of graduate exhibition will be introduced by Lebanese-Irish artist, Richard Hearns.
*Burren College of Art is an internationally recognised not-for-profit independent college specialising in undergraduate and graduate fine art education. BCA offers students time, space and inspiration within the unique environment of the Burren.
Gavin spoke with Aine Phillips, who has been teaching at the college for 14 years. Aine is also an artist and curator herself.
Modern technology is often blamed for breaking our links to the natural world. Instead of looking at the world around us, more often than not, we've our heads stuck in our phones, letting life pass us by.
A new initiative that aims to get young people to use technology to re-connect with nature is being rolled out this Spring. The Burren Beo Trust is looking for a Young Burren Ambassador to develop a tech project that will showcase the natural world. This week Morning Focus producer, Fiona McGarry, spoke to Elaine Williams, Community Engagement Officer.
glór will present the Ennis debut of The Kaleidoscope Company in an intimate performance with the RTÉ Con Tempo Quartet, the Stickleback Singers and the Cuar Trio with Aoife Ní Bhriain.
The Kaleidoscope Company creates enchanting musical events that captivate the listener with a whistle-stop tour of various genres of classical and contemporary music. Described by The Irish Times as a ‘genre-blind mini festival’, Kaleidoscope is a sociable evening of chamber music performed by the country’s top professionals in an intimate, cabaret style setting.
For its Ennis date – Friday 15 April (8pm), Kaleidoscope presents the RTÉ Con Tempo Quartet, The Stickleback Singers and The Cuar Trio in an eclectic music assembly- a Haydn string quartet, English madrigals, music by Irish composers Gerald Barry and Jennifer Walshe and original trad-fusion material from the Cuar Trio of Aoife Ní Bhriain (fiddle), Matthew Berrill (clarinet) & Clareman, Neil O Loghlen, (bass).
Gavin was joined by Neil O’Loghlan.
