The ongoing fallout from Brexit prompted a Meelick councillor to seek cross party support for a motion calling for a Northern Ireland border poll.
Fianna Fail's Cathal Crowe believes Local Authorities around the country should pressure the government to support such a vote.
Councillor Crowe insists the time is right for the debate to be had. Responding to the comments, Sinn Fein's Noeleen Moran told Gavin her party had long been in favour of a referendum on a United Ireland.
Morning Focus then turned its attention to a recent reporting showing that Irish drinkers consumed an average of 11 litres of pure alcohol in 2014. That's the equivalent of 29 litres of vodka, 116 bottles of wine or 445 pints of beer. The study from the Health Research Board says it's not just what Irish
people drink, but how we drink that causes the most harm. Gavin spoke to Dr Mosajee Bhamjee, consultant psychiatrist, on the issue.
The country’s biggest second-level teachers’ union is set to break the Croke Park Agreement – a deal that protected teacher's jobs in exchange for extra
productivity. The move places the ASTI on a collision course with the Department of Education who say teachers will now have pay increments frozen and lose protection against compulsory redundancy. It also increases the chances of school closures come September.
However, the ASTI Standing Committee has decided to accept an invitation from Minister for Education Richard Bruton to discuss 'issues of concern'. Gavin was joined on the line by Peter Quinn, a member of the ASTI standing committee member and teacher at St Flannan's College, Ennis.
Friday (July 1) is another milestone date for tens of thousands of students who took the Leaving Cert this year. July 1st if the the final change-of-mind date for college applications through the CAO system. With some help and advice for students considering a change-of-mind – and for their parents – Gavin
was joined by Aisling Haugh, Guidance Counsellor at Kilrush Community College and Clarity Career Coaching.
Catherine in Lisdoonvarna got in touch with Morning Focus to express her anger at the current level of broadband service from 3 Mobile in the North Clare
area.
She joined the network in 2015 and, at first, had a very satifisfactory broadband service which was enough to support her two businesses and look after the families entertainment requirements. Around a month ago, that situation changed. She now has to go to her mother's house and user her broadband to access
her emails. She's very frustrated that she's unable to use the bandwith she's paying for and been told by 3 Mobile that she can't downgrade the package she's on or get out of her contract.
From next Saturday (July 2), thousands of musicians will descend on Miltown Malbay for the much-loved Willie Clancy Summer School. This year, moreso than
ever, the event will bring a welcome economic boost to the town. Sections of the community have been slowly recovering since severe flooding last September.
Up to 20 homes and business on the Lahinch Road were flooded and the closure of Clonbony Bridge on the N67 for more than two months (Sept. 11 – Nov. 4)
caused significant invconvenience locally. Gavin was joined on the line by two restauranteurs Pat Boland of the Yard and Tony Cogan of Cogan's Bar and
Restaurant who explained why this year's summer school will be so important to them.
With the school holidays getting underway, Clare County Library has announced details of the Summer Stars Reading Programme for children in all library branches.
The free programme runs up to the end of August and will see library staff working with teachers and families to encourage children to continue reading and
to participate in a range of storytelling and other fun activities.Each child who registers for Summer Stars at their local library will receive a Summer Stars Reading Card to record their progress along the way and a library reward stamp will be added to their card at the library after each book read. Gavin was joined in studio by Cora Gunter of Clare County Library.
With the CAO's change-of-mind deadline approaching (Friday, July 1), some students may find themselves torn between their heads and their hearts. Sometimes it seems there's a bargain to be made between following a passion or a talent and taking a route that guarantees employment.
Nowadays, though, colleges like GMIT offer students who do want to pursuse studies in art, design for film, practical industry-focused training so they're prepared to carve out a career path. Gavin was joined by Dr Paddy Tobin, Head of Centre, Centre for Creative Arts and Media at GMIT
Exam pressure, drugs, social media, bullying and mental health issues have emerged as the top concerns for the county’s teenagers, according to a recent
survey conducted by the Younger Voices group and Clare Youth Service’s Youth Information Service.
The poll was conducted amongst 339 young people in the county at 15 rural youth clubs and 7 urban youth projects. 92% of the respondents were aged 12 – 18
years, 93% were Irish and 87% were enrolled in second-level schools. Gavin was joined in studio by Kevin Toomey, Anna Carroll and Mikey O'Flaherty.
Morning Focus wrapped up with live music in studio from Clare FM's Caoimhe Millar on button accordion, who was accompanied on the piano by her cousin Caitriona O'Gorman.
