On The Afternoon Show today Gavin Grace was joined by the Friday Panel, which this week included, Rita McInerney, CEO of Ennis Chamber and Doonbeg native, Marian Egan, Broadcaster and Documentary Maker based in Kilfenora and Eugene Hogan, PR Consultant and former Mid West Correspondent with the Irish Independent, based in Killaloe. Among the numerous topics discussed by the panellists was how Lahinch and White Strand, Miltown Malbay have lost their Blue Flags due to an ‘anomaly’. Environment Minister Phil Hogan is to raise the matter with the European Commission, but what should we do in Clare, and in the communities concerned, to get the message out that our beaches remain pristine? They also discussed the “Black Economy”. The Construction Industry Federation (CIF) has published a range of proposals aimed at clamping down on the black economy in the construction sector. They say “nixers” and paying cash are costing the country millions because they allow people to work while illegally claiming benefits, and also lead to the non-payment of taxes. For the good of the country, is it time we stopped paying cash under the counter for odd jobs? Also up for discussion and as you’ve been hearing on the news this past week – how the Justice Minister says he has no regrets about revealing that Mick Wallace benefited from Garda discretion by avoiding penalty points. Alan Shatter says he received the information at a Garda briefing – during which the incident involving the Independent TD was used as an example. Last week, the Garda Commissioner rejected criticisms that a report into the cancellation of penalty points was "a whitewash". And finally, for something completely different, the panel discussed Ghosts! It follows the news that Lord Mayor of Dublin, Naoise O Muiri, has claimed the Mansion House is haunted. He says his daughter was once spooked by a ghost in the iconic building, which dates back to 1705. She said she saw a girl with dark curly hair watching TV and the Mayor is adamant that it was a ghost. We asked our panel – do you believe in ghosts?
Brian McManus form Clare Youth Service was also in studio for his monthly feature on all that’s happening around the county for those involved with the service. Clare Youth Service serves the county’s young people aged 12 –25, by providing information on rights and entitlements; by representing youth interests; by providing education and training; by organisation or supporting youth clubs, projects and other activities run in local communities. See www.clareyouthservice.org for more details.
Also in studio with Gavin this afternoon was US band Tumbling Bones. Peter Winne, Kyle Morgan and Jake Hoffman are from Maine and play a mix of down-home, old-fashioned American folk music, infused with a little of the contemporary rock ‘n’ roll the band were reared on and reworked into their original arrangements. Tumbling Bones have a passion for the heritage of American music and a penchant for honest, no frills-attached acoustic music. Ireland is becoming a second home for them due to the hospitality and appreciation the Irish have for American traditional & roots music. They play Kenny’s in Lahinch tonight, Patrick’s Bar, Ennis on Saturday, The Roadside Lisdoonvarna on Sunday and Bank Holiday Saturday – June 1st in Fitzpatrick’s in Doolin.
To contact the show please email afternoon@clare.fm
