MORNING FOCUS MONDAY 20TH OCTOBER
The organisers of a protest in Ennis, which saw nearly 1,000 people express their opposition to Irish Water, have called on the government to heed their calls.Hundreds marched through the town centre on Saturday afternoon, demanding a reversal of water charges, while many said they simply wouldn't pay.Niamh O'Brien of Clare says no to water charges joined Marian to talk about the weekends events.
The National Housing Construction Index compiled and issued by Link2Plans shows Clare is continuing to experience a recovery in the residential construction sector with the number of project commencements and planning applications both increasing in the first eight months of 2014. When compared to the same period in 2013, project commencements in Clare are up +30%, while the number of new planning applications are up +19%.. Tom Parlon. Director General of the construction industry federation spoke to Marian about the improvements in the sector.
As part of the this year's Great Electric Drive, local Clare man Patrick Talty has received his Mitsubishi Outlander electric car to begin his four month ecar trial. He is one of just 32 new ecar ambassadors chosen earlier this year, from 20,000 applicants from across Ireland. This is the second year of the Great Electric Drive, which gives 26 members of the public and six commercial organisations the opportunity to trial an electric car for up to four months each. Patrick Talty Great Electric Drive E-Car trialist outlined the pros and cons of going electric.
Dr Billy O’Connell is a member of West Clare Taking Care, an umbrella group for mental health issues. He has been involved with the Men's shed" Ennis and they are hopeful to launch our men's shed on Ist Nov in Miltown. There is huge scope for men getting together and doing things and sharing experience Along with Dr O'Connell Marian was joined by Bob Vernon a retired Anglican priest who isinolved in West Clare take care and The Men's shed movement and teached mindfulness classes in the area.
Finally as always on a Monday John Murphy, wildlife expert and Chairperson of the Clare branch of Birdwatch Ireland joined Marian in studio to answer listeners' bird and wildlife queries.
If you have a story, comment or query for Morning Focus email [email protected] or write to us – Morning Focus, Clare FM, Francis Street, Ennis, Co. Clare.
