Morning Focus Wednesday July 18

Clare’s Green Party Councillor Brian Meaney says efforts to reduce overspending in the health service could be helped by curbing medical card holders’ access to Viagra
At present, men who hold medical cards are automatically entitled to four erectile dysfunction pills per month – in 2010, such prescription cost the HSE West region in excess of 1.4m euro
The HSE has pointed out that Viagra is also prescribed for pulmonary arterial hyprtension, but Ennis Councillor Brian Meaney, who’s part of the HSE’s Health Forum West has suggested halving this entitlement to the drug

On Wednesday’s Morning Focus John Cooke spoke with Councillor Meaney and Dr Billy O’Connell, a Miltown Malbay GP
Dr O’Connell said it was important to stress that Viagra type medication is prescribed for many conditions and that people on Viagra type substances shouldn’t be scapegoated
Erectile Dysfunction is a very serious issue for a lot of men and must be taken seriously.

Labour Party Deputy Michael McNamara and Fianna Fail’s Timmy Dooley TD discussed the Governments Stimulus Package announced yesterday  

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Ennis is to get a new primary care health centre as part of the government’s new stimulus package
The centre aims to  compliment existing health services in the Ennis area and will create significant local employment during construction, as part of the 2 Billion euro infrastructural plan being unveiled yesterday
A 57km extension of the M18 motorway from Gort to Tuam is among the largest projects
Construction of new buildings at St. Josephs Secondary School in Tulla is expected to be brought forward to next year
Fianna Fáil says it doesn’t believe the government’s 2-billion euro stimulus plan being announced today will create any new jobs
The Taoiseach says the Government’s new stimulus plan will restore confidence in the economy – and provide extra work in the construction sector

President of the Irish Hotels Federation and Lahinch hotelier Michael Vaughan and Rita McInerney, CEO of Ennis Chamber discussed the package from a business point of view
Rita said the Chamber is disappointed that the Government has not made any announcements at this time regarding future broadband investments
But added they were pleased to note the announcement of the funding from public- private partnerships of the N17/N18 Gort to Tuam as this will further enhance the road infrastructure in the West and Mid West providing further access to County Clare and playing an important role in attracting more customers to Shannon Airport

Declan Brandon, Clare Representative of the Vintners’ Federation of Ireland and Vincent Jenning, Chief Executive of the Convenience Store and Newsagents Association
backed calls by Alcohol Action Ireland for a minimum price for alcohol to help prevent the abuse and misuse of alcohol and the irresponsible sale and promotion of alcohol

People across Ireland are reporting receiving spam text messages saying that their mobile number has won a lottery or a prize from some known brand, and that they need to send their personal info to claim the reward
The texts are coming from various foreign numbers, such as UK, USA, Malaysia and many use known brand names, such as Sony, BMW, Apple to attract potential scam victims
IT Security and Cybercrime analyst Urban Schott had advice on what to do if you think you are the intended victim of a mobile phone scam

The Gathering Ireland 2013’s recent meeting in Ennis was well attended and some good suggestions were made as Aine Kavanagh explained.
www.thegatheringireland.com

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