On Wednesday's Morning Focus; Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh is attending a seminar created by Clare Community Forum and Irish Rural Link in association with The European Parliament called "Rural Isolation – The Solutions".
The purpose of this seminar is to highlight the issues that affect people arising from rural isolation. It will look at the current data that describes it and with the help of everybody involved look at the problem in terms of proposing new or improved solutions. Mícheál spoke to John about why he wants to get involved in this cause. The seminar takes place on Friday the 28th February from 9.30am – 1.30pm at The West County Hotel in Ennis.
Up next Paul Kealy, Child Car Seat Installation Expert spoke to John about the importance of having your child strapped in the car properly. The road safety Check it Fits road show takes place in Clare this week. Paul is an expert in child car safety and has accumulated a wealth of knowledge in this area through years of installing car seats. He is also the spokesperson for Check it Fits.
James Coughlan of Jimi's Barber Shop in Kilrush is running in the local elections in May. The Ennistymon native has lived and worked in Kilrush for 12 years. He spoke to John Cooke about his political aspirations.
The new building regulations have many people across the county confused as to w here they stand. John spoke to Hubert Fitzpatrick, Director of Housing and Planning Services with the Construction Industry Federation. The CIF has publicly commented on the publication of the new building regulations and has stated that while the new regulations will help ensure the work of builders who maintain higher standards is recognised and rewarded, they will also add to overall construction costs. Michael Duffy a Chartered Engineer in Kilfenora. Michael believes these new regulations do not preclude direct labour. The one-off developer can be the builder. What is important is that proper design and inspection is carried out during construction, not when it's covered up and too late. Fergus Merriman a Chartered Building Surveyor based in Feakle also joined the debate he believes the new regulations will mean better buildings. Methods are changing and these regulations reflect that builders must change with new methods and these regulations will ensure that happens. This may even mean people will save money in the long run.
Dr. Rose Fitzgerald, Specialist in Public Health Medicine with the Dept of Public Health was next to join John. Visiting restrictions have been put in place at University Hospital Limerick as staff there battle to contain the Seasonal Flu. One visitor per patient only is permitted during normal visiting hours (2pm to 4pm and 6.30pm to 8.30pm), and people who arrive outside of these times are being told they won't be allowed to enter. Dr. Fitzgerald spoke to John about the restrictions and why it's so important to adhere to them.
Finally John asked the Banner people, should the Irish Hurley be protected?
Well that exactly what an Irish MEP is calling for, "Hurleys" to be awarded special protective status by the EU. Labour's Phil Prendergast says they should be treated as a special Irish cultural tool that deserves EU-wide protection. We heard from Ms. Prendergast and Sean Torpy of Torpey Hurleys, Sean is the son of the legendary John Torpy. He definitely believes that the Hurley needs to be protected. He does have concerns about the cheaper labour markets and this would help that looming problem.
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