MORNING FOCUS MONDAY 9TH DECEMBER
A number of Councillors have expressed concerned over the lack of clarity from Irish Water regarding the payments situation for those on group water schemes. There have been suggestions that Irish water intend on putting meters at the point of exit from the main supply for those on schemes. Members of group schemes already pay for water and have there is concern a t the prospects of increased charges Cllr Michael Hillary FF and Cllr Pat Burke FG who have both put motions forward looking for clarity on group water scheme charges joined John to discuss the issue.
John spoke with Gerard Holloway. Gerard contacted the show with regards to the public lighting at his estate. Electric Ireland have informed him that they intend on cutting the electricity to the public lights in the estate in the coming weeks as the developer has stopped paying the bill. Attempts to have the estate taken in charge by the council have so far proved unsuccessful so it will be up to the residents to pay for public lighting. The residents already pay for the up keep and maintenance of the estate. The estate has a lot of young children and the prospect of having no light is something they very much want to avoid for safety reasons.
Leading Irish sight loss charity, Fighting Blindness, has launched a new patient handbook A Guide to Conditions of the Retina supported by Bayer Healthcare, to assist people diagnosed with a range of retinal conditions. With more than 5,400 people experiencing a severe vision impairment in County Clare1, the publication aims to cut through the science and medical jargon often associated with our eyes generally, and our eye health in particular, to set out information in a way that is easy to understand and simple to navigate. Maria Meehan, Research Manager with Fighting Blindness spoke to John about the initiative.
The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Paschal Donohoe TD, has announced a number of adjustments to penalty points and new penalty point offences to take effect from today (Monday). These changes are being made under the Road Traffic Act 2014.
Penalty Points will be increased for 9 offences, and a further 14 offences will now attract penalty points for the first time. In addition, 2 offences which previously involved a court appearance have now been brought within the fixed charge notice and penalty points system. Conor Faughnan of AA Roadwatch outlined the new changes with John.
The former Independent TD for Kerry South Jackie Healy-Rae has died. He passed away on Friday He was 83 years old and had been sick for some time. Tony Killeen Former Fianna Fail TD and Minister and Cllr James Breen who were both former Dail colleagues of Mr Healy Ray shared their memories of the former Kerry South TD.
In order to provide free therapy to over 400 Clare children annually Clare crusaders need to hit a target of €250,000 raised each year. As of today they find themselves 35% shy of this target. Clare Crusaders are appealing to the people of Clare to come out and support any of our upcoming fundraisers as every penny raised go directly towards providing free therapy to special needs children. Fundraising events planned for this month include; Santa's Grotto beside Lynch's Centra Gort Road. (please see attached flyer) Flag Days in Shannon Shopping Centre on Thursday 18th December – where our Christmas Cards will also be on sale.Bag packing on 22nd and 23rd in Dunne's Stores Ennis to finish off our fundraising for this year. Clare Crusaders Cllr Ann Norton and Ann Enright both of whom are parents with special needs spoke to John about fundraising efforts and the challenges faced by parents of children with special needs.
And finally as always on a Monday John Murphy of the Birwatch Irelands Clare branch was in studio answer listener’s wildlife queries.
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