On Tuesday's Edition of Morning Focus with Marian Egan
Tracy Harkin, Spokeswoman for Every Life Counts and mother to Kathleen (8) who was diagnosed with Trisomy 13 spoke to us ahead of tomorrows event that sees Every Life Counts joined with families from around the world at an important conference at the United Nations in Geneva. The Conference is to launch a global initiative which aims to end disability discrimination caused by the ‘incompatible with life’ label. Tracy will be joined by mothers from the Republic and North of Ireland – Grace Sharp, Sarah Nugent, Sarah Hynes, Derbhille McGill. Every Life Counts believes the label given to these babies is preventing their chances of getting the appropriate care.
John Carmody, Campaigns Co-ordinator ARAN Animal Rights Action Network spoke to Marian about their latest campaign calling on the Irish circus, Tom Duffys Circus, to work with the organisation in setting a timeline to retire the current animals at the circus and to revamp the circus industry in Ireland with a modern, human-performance only show. We contacted Duffys for a representative however they were unable to provide anyone, but did provide a statement.
Efforts are being made to promote Clare as a County of Culture in 2016. To co-incide with Ennis winning the bid to host Fleadh Ceol na hÉireann next year the local authority is set to use the occasion to celebrate the rich cultural heritage in the county. Clare is already home to more than 150 festivals and cultural events each year and the county council is working towards a year-long programme of events, to be promoted at home and abroad. The initiative is the brain child of Cathaoirleach Cllr John Crowe and could cost in the region of 100,000 euro. Cllr Crowe says it's the ideal opportunity to put Clare on the Map. While CEO of Clare County Council Tom Coughlan says a six figure sum will be money well spent in promoting the county. Clare FM's Aisling O Rourke Spoke to them both last evening.
Rupert Bell, Racing Correspondent, spoke to us live from Cheltenham!
The four day racing spectacular gets underway today. Rupert previewed the big races and hotly tipped contenders. Racing began at 1.30 with ‘Douvan’ nominated as potentially the most exciting horse Willie Mullins has ever brought to Cheltenham, – by the trainer himself. While Tubber’s Derek O Connor was in action at 4.40 on The Job Is Right!
John Lowe MONEY Doctor, for all your financial needs spoke to Marian today in our Morning Focus Financial Matters, up fo discussion:
1..New hope for credit unions with plans to remove lending limits.
2..Pension pots for men are “60% higher than for women”.
3..New deadline for homeowners to register for water.
4..Mortgage arrears continue to ease – Central Bank.
5..Some Equitable Life customers face tax bill on compensation.
Olive Carey, Project Coordinator with Dochàs na Sionna joined Marian in studio ahead of her presentation of her project: Shannon “Between Old World and New World” in the Oakwood Arms Wednesday night. This is a Social History Project that has collected the memories of the first Shannon Residents as well as documenting stories from residents in the locality before the buliding of the new town in 1960.
Plans are afoot to construct a new centre in West Clare to support Geologists who visit the area to train in the extraction of oil and gas. For many years Oil and Gas companies have been making regular trips to the west of the county to explore techniques – due to the area's similarity to the Gulf of Mexico.
In a bid to raise awareness of the activity and in the hopes of creating a greater appreciation of the potential here Clare County Council has published a new book called Banner Rocks.
Clare FM's Aisling O' Rourke has spoken with the book's author Dr Matthew Parkes to find out more:
Seachtain na Gaeilge goes on until St Patricks Day so Brendain MacFhoinghail from An Clar as Gaeilge
gave us an update on the Feile na hInse Results and the goings on for the rest of the week.
We will speak to Brendain again on Thursday with a further update on Feile na hInise Results and events.
If you have a comment or query for Morning Focus please email: focus@clare.fm
