Morning Focus Thursday 24th April 2014

On Thursdays Morning Focus; John was joined in studio by Fianna Fail leader Micheál Martin. He is canvassing in Clare today.  He says this campaign is different to the last local and general elections.

The 92nd Annual Convention of ASTI is in its last day today.   Teachers have been distancing themselves from loud protests during the Education Minister's speech at the ASTI conference.  Ruairi Quinn was repeatedly heckled and jeered by delegates – who are opposed to his plans for reform of the Junior Cycle.  John spoke to Peter Quinn Teacher at St Flannans College Ennis and ASTI Standing Committee representative for Clare and Limerick about the conference and issues that have come up at the gathering. 

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Ennis Men's Shed is holding their conference, 'No Man Is An Island' on 25th and 26th April 2014 at Treacy's West County Hotel in Ennis.  The conference aims to highlight issues affecting the mental and physical well being of men and the importance of groups such as the Men's Shed.  Ennis Men's Shed feels its time to let men know 'its ok, to be not ok'.  John was joined by Frank McNamara, Facilitator at Ennis Men's Shed and Martin Toohey, Member of Ennis Men's Shed. 

Up next we had an update from Clare County Council on the post storm repairs in Kilkee.  John spoke to Tom Tiernan, Senior Engineer with Clare County Council about the rep airs and the council' plans for Kilkee.  Residents and businesses in Kilkee feel the repairs are taking to long and have called for a state of emergency to be declared to speed things up. 

A new monument to War of Independence rebel will be unveiled in Meelick on Sunday 27th April.  Commemorative events for Captain Patrick White, a republican rebel from Meelick, Co. Clare who was killed by the British Military during the War of Independence will take place over the weekend.  John spoke to Pádraig Ó Ruairc, Chairman of the Meelick-Parteen and Cratloe Commemoration Committee about the celebrations. 

Niamh Quinn, is a primary school teacher from Miltown Malbay and is one of VSO Ireland's returned volunteers who worked in Papa New Guinea. Over the course of her placement Niamh worked as a primary teacher trainer. Niamh's work included devising and implementing new policies to address standards in literacy and numeracy, this had a huge impact on the education programme and she has described the experience as life changing.  Niamh joined John in studio to discuss her experiences.

Finally, John Underhill of Burren Vets was in studio to answer listeners' livestock and pet 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.