Morning Focus Friday November 16th2012

On today’s Morning Focus John Cooke was joined by Independent Shannon Councillor Patricia McCarthy,Ruan Fine Gael Councillor, Joe Arkins and Kilrush Fianna Fail Councillor, PJ Kelly to discuss Minister Phil Hogan’s plans regarding electoral area boundaries. The future Clare County Council looks set for a major shake-up after the Environment Minister announced terms for the new local electoral area Boundary Committee. As well as the abolition of 4 town Councils in Clare – it now looks likely that Clare County Council will be made up of four less members – 28 – while the current six electoral areas, Kilrush, Killaloe, Ennistymon, Shannon, Ennis East and West will be replaced by just four. It’s unclear how the new divisions will work, and future elections candidates for 2014 – won’t know until late next year.

Sarah Flannery, from Killaloe also spoke to the show from Wallacedene Township, Cape Town, South Africa where she is working with the Niall Mellon Township Trust. It is Sarah’s first building blitz, which finishes today and the 600 volunteers will be handing over 110 houses to beneficiary families.  Sarah is here with her sister – Deirdre, her father and nephew.  They are all working on the same team. It is the charity’s 10th and final blitz in Cape Town. Over that period they have built 20,000 homes.  Next year the charity will be focusing on building and an education programme.

 Noel Brett, CEO of the Road Safety Authority joined John Cooke to talk about how the RSA is calling on people to remember the victims of road collisions on ‘World Remembrance Day for Road Traffic Victims’ this Sunday.This comes as figures reveal that 23,227 people have died on Irish roads to date (13th November 2012) since records began in 1959. So far this year, 149 families, friends and communities have been left devastated by the loss of a loved one

CONTINUE READING BELOW

Also on today’s show Dr. Maire Finn from the Ennis Family Medical Centre was in studio and focussed on Asthma.  Dr. Finn joins the show each Friday, 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.

David Neylon is the Chairperson of the Adventure Playground Committee, Labasheeda. The Adventure Playground is a project that emanated from the needs of the locality to provide essential community services within an area which is currently devoid of amenities for young children.  David discussed how the playground caters for the Parish of Labasheeda / Kilmurry McMahon / Tullycrine / Knock. They will hold a fundraising night in Glor, Ennis on Thursday night 22nd November. It’s a talk by TV Psychologist David Coleman on ‘Creating a Thriving Family’. 

Brian Flynn of Clare FM’s The Late Train was also in studio to discuss a special event this weekend. Brian is one of the many buskers taking part in Clare FM’s 50 Cent Appeal Busking in Dunnes Stores, O’Connell Street, Ennis on Saturday morning (from 11am).  Please support them as all money raised goes to four local charities; Irish Wheelchair Association Clare, Rape Crisis Mid West Clare Centre, Kincora Kids Community Childcare and Kilmaley Daycare Centre.  Among the performers on the day will be; PJ Murrihy, Martin Hayes, Noirin Lynch, Eoin O’Neill, Quentin Cooper, Socks in the Frying Pan, Donal O’Loinsigh, Chris and David Hanrahan and lot’s more

While John Morgan from Kilfenora joined the show to let listeners know about a fundraising Monster Ceili in Kilfenora on Saturday night November 17th. About 30 musicians will be playing for free to help raise money for the refurbishment of the local community hall – including John Lynch and members of the Kilfenora Ceili Band.

If you have a comment or query for Morning Focus you can text – Clare FM, followed by your message and name to 53030 or email [email protected]