Morning Focus Friday June 28

Higher penalty points, new drug tests and stricter guidelines for newly-qualified drivers look to be on the way

On Friday’s Morning Focus Marian Egan got the details of the Road Traffic Bill 2013 – launched yesterday by Transport Minister Leo Varadkar- from Darragh Brophy from The Journal.ie

The Transport Minister published a new Bill which will see tougher penalty points introduced for speeding, using mobile phones and not wearing seat belts
Leo Varadkar says the Road Traffic Bill see points for each of the offences rise from 2 to 3 on fixed charges and up from 4 to 5 on conviction
The legislation also provides for roadside drug impairment tests
Transport Minister Leo Varadkar says he hopes it’ll lead to a marked improvement in road safety

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They also spoke about the Gardai’s campaign launched today ‘Fatal Fridays’ – to highlight that Friday is statistically the most dangerous day on Irish roads.

Senior judges in Northern Ireland have issued a ruling on adoption law which will have a profoundly positive impact on lesbian and gay headed families and lesbian and gay people who hope to be considered as adoptive parents
Marian spoke with Brian Sheehan, Kilrush native and spokesperson for GLEN- the Gay Lesbian Equality Network- to get their reaction
He welcomed this saying it is fantastic news for lesbian and gay people and their families in Northern Ireland and that this ruling ensures that all couples will be entitled to apply to be considered as adoptive parents.

Ennis Town Councillor and Past Pupil of Colaiste Mhuire, Ennis Mary Howard joined Marian in studio to publicise a reunion for Colaiste Mhuire student taking place next Friday
It’s a ‘Trip Down Memory Lane’ for the class of ‘83 at the Rowan Tree and Mary explained that already they have fifty people confirmed they’ll attend – they are returning home from all over the world- now Mary wishes to focus on getting all those living locally involved
More details are available on the Facebook page for Colaiste Mhuire
Contact Mary on 086 8780298 or email [email protected]

Dr Maire Finn of the Ennis Family Medical Centre joined Marian in studio for our Morning Focus Health Matters slot
Today Dr Finn spoke about Osteoporosis and answered listeners’ queries.

Doctor Maire Finn is from the Ennis Family Medical Centre, and will be joining us again next Friday for more medical advice
You can always send us your thoughts and queries by email [email protected], but if you have concerns or queries about your own health right now please contact your local GP. 

Martin Hayes is the guest performer with the Clare Memory Orchestra this Saturday night in Teach Cheoil in Kilrush and there’s a full day of free workshops with some of the best musicians in Ireland on Sunday in Glor as well as a free lunchtime concert
The orchestra is a mix of traditional and classical musicians but they all perform without the aid of music notation on stage, which is very unusual for an orchestra – and indeed the first of its kind in Ireland
Dave Flynn of the Clare Memory Orchestra spoke with Marian.

St Attracta’s NS, Inchovea in Kilfenora are having a reunion this weekend
Stevie Malone – a member of the organising committee – spoke with Marian about what’s planned for this weekend. See their facebook page for details.

Féile Chnoc na Gaoithe in Tulla is starting today and celebrating the Gathering and the opening of phase two of Cnoc na Gaoithe the Tulla Comhaltas Cultural Centre
There will be music, song and dance with workshops, ceilis, a fiddle competition, singing and music sessions in all of the pubs and an exhibition of old school photographs from the 6 schools in the parish of Tulla, some of them dating back to 1910
Breda McNamara joined Marian on the line to encourage people to come along.

If you have a story for Morning Focus email [email protected]