On Mondays Morning Focus; Shirley McEntee is an Ambulance Controller for the Mid West Region and a Whistleblower. She is currently working in an ambulance control room and is concerned about the ongoing and repeated failures in the national service. Shirley appeared on a primetime show last week to voice her concerns. She spoke to Marian about her fears for patient safety.
Converting Moneypoint power station from coal to biomass would save billions, and do away with the need for a network of pylons across the country. Advocacy group, Rethink Pylons, commissioned research to look for alternatives to the Government's controversial Grid25 project. That project requires a 3.8 billion euro network upgrade, carried by a network of super-pylons to cope with the demands of wind energy. But the report by British energy consultancy firm BW energy says converting Moneypoint at a cost of 380 million would save 3.4 billion euro. Marian spoke to Malcolm Brown of BW Energy, Co-Author of the report and Brian Meaney,Clare Councillor, about the pros and cons of this idea.
We heard from both hurling and football managers following yesterday’s wins for both senior teams. Davy Fitzgerald and Colm Collins gave their thoughts to Clare FM’d Syl O’Connor.
Up next Marian spoke to Richard Manton, Cratloe man and Member of We're Not Leaving Galway. A youth anti-austerity activist group, We're Not Leaving Galway, has released a video response to a much criticised online Fáilte Ireland advertisement, Ireland Inspires, receiving almost 10,000 views within 24 hours.
The video, 'Brand Ireland', responds to the original video's controversial trumpeting of Ireland's exit of the bailout and supposed job creation by noting the scale of homelessness, youth suicide, youth unemployment and emigration in the country at present. Richard chatted to Marian about the video which he helped make.
Garda Brennan with the Clare Garda Division appealed for the public's assistance with information on crimes committed in the county over the past seven days. Contact Ennis Garda Station on 065 68 48 100.
Joan Tarmey is the Environmental Awareness Officer, with Clare County Council. She spoke to Marian as all citizens are being invited to "Love Where You Live" and come together during the month of April to undertake clean ups in their local areas. Individuals, sports clubs, Tidy Towns groups, businesses, schools, community development groups and Residents Associations are all encouraged to participate.
Eddie Crowe is Sport Tagger Creator from Lahinch. Eddie spoke to Marian about the mobile app that enables sports coaches, scouts and analysts to assess the performance of individual players and teams has been shortlisted alongside Sky Sports, Wilson, and Adidas in the inaugural Sports Technology Awards. Sport Tagger has been shortlisted in the categories of Best Technology and Best Sports App in the international awards scheme, the first of its kind to celebrate the best and most innovative advancements within the sporting world.
Tom Lynch, wildlife expert with 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.
