On Wednesday’s Morning Focus John Cooke spoke about the fodder crisis with political and farming representatives;
General Secretary of the The Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers’ Association and Cratloe farmer Eddie Punch and Fine Gael Deputy Pat Breen
Earlier this week the IFA appealed to all those in the wider agricultural community to keep in touch with farm families, many of whom are at breaking point because of the unrelenting fodder crisis
The ICSA welcomed the announcement by the Minister for Agriculture of a 1 million Euro imported fodder transport scheme
saying it would be very helpful in reducing the cost of imported straw, hay and silage for farmers who are struggling to feed their livestock
United Farmers Association in conjunction with Teagasc in Galway have fodder supplies for Clare farmers – they just need to co-ordinate with farmers here and this can be done via the UFA helpline 087-2682594
Alternatively they can contact 091 845 852.
The situation of people waiting on trollies in our hospitals was highlighted when Ennis listener Seamus had a word from his hopsital bed in Galway
He had been waiting on a trolley since Monday evening and got a bed last night at 9pm.
Former Governor of Mountjoy Prison, well known Public Speaker and television presenter John Lonergan will be speaking at the Falls Hotel, Ennistymon on Thursday at 7.30pm on the topic "Bullying – how parents can help?" – he spoke with John Cooke about the issue of bullying and had tips for parents on how to tackle it and what to do if you think your child is being bullied
All the money raised from the 5 euro entrance fee is being donated to BuildMolAnÓige
See www.buildmolanoige.org
The Social Protection Minister Joan Burton spoke with John about her hopes new legislation to secure unemployment benefits for Clare’s fire-fighters will law by the summer
Yesterday it emerged that Joan Burton was taking steps to ensure that the county’s retained fire officers don’t lose their on-call top up payments if they aren’t in a position to take up full time work- because its not close to the fire station
The issue has particularly affected fire fighters in Clare with a number of them currently appealing the removal of their benefits
She also rejected repeated claims that there’s any rift between government parties on the draft abortion law
Minister Burton was among several Ministers involved in " crisis talks" on the issue last night after the Cabinet yesterday failed to reach consensus over the details of the new proposed legislation
Its been widely reported that the stalemate between the coalition partners rests on the number of doctors required in the case of a termination on sucidial grounds
Minister Burton insisted the parties are committed to bringing forth the legislation by the summer recess.
A €5,000 Scholarship will be awarded to a Clare student planning to study science or a science related degree at a University in Ireland or the UK this autumn
This is being offered by husband and wife team – and pharmacists – Valerie Normoyle of Normoyle’s Pharmacy, Ennis and
Séadn Hillery of RX+ Pharmacy, Shannon
They joined John in studio to discuss the scholarship, their reasons for beginning it and the story of how they met
The scholarship will follow a process of application and shortlisted interview and will be announced in September 2013 prior to the beginning of the academic year
The closing date for applications is the 30th April
Email [email protected] or [email protected]
Contact Normoyles on 065 682 8491 or Rx+ Pharmacy on 061 362 157
The Clare Garden Festival is taking place this Sunday
Visitors can expect an impressive programme of expert talks, a Great Garden & Artisan Food fair with stallholders from all over Ireland, music, children’s gardening and entertainment and a Gardener’s Raffle in aid of Clare Crusaders
All areas of gardening including ornamental garden design,
vegetable production for beginners and advanced gardening techniques will be covered by the Garden Experts and the stalls on the day
The venue is the Ennis Showgrounds
Clare Garden Festival Organiser Carmen Cronin and Bernard Hanrahan, Chairperson of the Clare Agricultural Show Society joined John in studio and Adam Whitbourn, Blarney Castle Head Gardener, had a word over the phone about the event.
If you have a story for Morning Focus email [email protected]
