On Monday’s Morning Focus government TD’s Pat Breen of Fine Gael and Michael McNamara of the Labour Party joined John Cooke to discuss major new plans for Shannon Airport that will be officially announced later today
Trade union officials who represent staff at Shannon Airport are warning that industrial action will be inevitable over the government’s plans for separation, unless the proposals secure the future for workers
The government will today outline its plans for an Independent Mid West Airport which see it separated from the DAA and developed into an international centre for aviation industry services – with the promise of 3000 new jobs
However the head of SIPTU Jack O’Connor claims the security and quality of employment would be placed under threat by the plans and is seeking meaningful assurances from the transport minister – John spoke with Tony Carroll of SIPTU in Shannon.
Ennis businesses are invited to a briefing tomorrow ahead of the Purple Flag assessment on Saturday – this will be the final step in becoming the first Irish town to achieve the Purple Flag award
So what is Purple Flag and what are the advantages for Ennis of having it?
The Purple Flag aims to raise standards and broaden the appeal of night time destinations – just as the blue flag is an indicator of a clean beach, the purple flag is an indicator of a good night out
John was joined in studio by Mary Gleeson, Manager of the Old Ground Hotel and Ennis Councillor Johnny Flynn to discuss.
The Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa, Limerick are offering listeners of morning focus the opportunity to win an end of week prize of a Table of 10 people at Their Christmas Party Night on Saturday 22nd December
The prize includes, Sumptuous 5 course Meal followed by Entertainment by James Sexton Entertainment featuring, "Disco Fever", & DJ- tune in between 9-11am to find out how you could win this fantastic prize!
Sergeant Joe Downey, Crime Prevention Officer 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.
Gardai are investigating after an arson attack on a traveller accommodation site near Ennis – previously damaged in a similar incident almost three years ago
The only occupied unit at the five-house Beech Park development was gutted while the family was away from home while three other properties were extensively damaged in an arson attack in the early hours of yesterday
An on-site security man is understood to have encountered at least one man at the scene but was not harmed
The same homes had to be vacated by Traveller families in the aftermath of an arson attack in Feb 2010. Clare County Council spent €51,000 refurbishing the units following that incident
The Beech Park Traveller accommodation was built in 2004 at a cost of €2.2m. The council had been having difficulty letting the units in recent months due to "intimidation and threats within the Traveller community"
Ennis area counsellors Brian Meaney and James Breen reacted to the news.
John Banville, Mary O’Rourke, BBC Correspondent Fergal Keane and David Norris are just some of the names confirmed so far for Ennis Book Club Festival 2013
Also Marina Lewycka – the bestselling writer of the humorous "A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian"
The Ennis Book Club Festival will also feature the winning entry in a short story competition run by the Merriman Summer School in memory of the late Maeve Binchy
Committee members Ciana Campbell and Anne Knox joined John in studio
Full details of the line-up so far are on ennisbookclubfestival.com
John Murphy, wildlife expert and Chairperson of the Clare branch of Birdwatch Ireland joined John in studio to answer listeners’ bird and wildlife queries.
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