Morning Focus opened with new findings on the 'Nanny State' in Ireland. The Irish might appear to be a carefree lot, who sometimes have scant regard for rules and regulations. But new research shows we're among the most tightly regulated countries in the EU when it comes to our private lifestyle choices on things like drinking and smoking.
The 'Nanny State Index' was published this week (Thurs, March 31) – not an April Fool's joke – and shows that Ireland is fourth in the league table when it comes to State regulation of our diets and other lifestyle choices.
Among those welcoming the revelation is the smoker's group, Forest Ireland. Spokeperson John Mallon join Pat Flynn to explain why.
Pat then looked at the issue of financial support for rural GP practices, as the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO), held its AGM in Sligo. While a package of rural practice supports [the Rural Practice Support Framework] was uveiled shortly before the election and is due to come on-stream next month [May], there's concern that it's hit a major hitch.
The deal was agreed by the Department of Health, HSE and IMO, but was subject to sign-off by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER).
This week, the Department confirmed that it hasn't yet received the draft Statutory Instrument. Lahinch GP, Dr Michael Kelleher, joined Pat from Sligo to discuss the issue. Dr Kelleher was part of the IMO team that negotiated the Rural Practice Support Framework.
Morning Focus has some fun on April Fool's Day, with the help of the good-humoured Mayor of Ennis, Cllr Pat Daly. The Clare FM newsroom had earlier announced that the world's first beer fountain was to be built in Ennis.
The 350-thousand euro project was being rolled out to concide with this years Fleadh Cheoil Na hEireann in August at the Maid of Eireann fountain located on the Mill Road. Mayor Ennis Pat Daly told Pat more about this truly unique project.
Pat was then was joined on the line by Dermot Goode of TotalHealthCover.ie to discuss fresh hikes in premiums for VHI customers. The majority of Vhi's one million Irish customers are facing a price increase from next month which will see the cost of some family plans rise by nearly €144 a year.
The hike, which will average three percent but will be as much as 6pc for some plans, was defended by the insurer yesterday despite coming just months after its last increase of up to 5pc in November.
Dermot Goode is the leading expert on healthcare benefits in Ireland. He has over 25 years experience in healthcare having worked with VHI, BUPA Ireland, Cornmarket Healthcare Division and healthcare consultancy roles with Irish Pensions Trust and Mercer Ltd.
We're passionate about sport here in the Banner County, but baseball is not necessarily one of our favourites – at least not yet. It might surprise listeners to know that County Clare has had its own baseball club since 2009 when my next guest and a couple of friends started an adult and a Littleleague team, who have since played in Poland and the Netherlands.
In 2010, the club bought its own grounds in the hope of developing the first baseball diamond in the west of Ireland.
The club's adult team will start its 2016 season in Dublin tomorro (Saturday) when it takes on the Dublin Black Sox. Youth games will begin again in May. Pat was joined in studio by Ger Troy of West Clare Dolphins Baseball Club.
In our round up of weekend events, Pat spoke to Fr Donagh O'Meara about the Parish Breakfast on Sunday in Ogonnelloe.
The Friday Panel was made up of Patricia McCarthy, Former of Clare and Mayor of Shannon; Tom McEvoy from Pieta House and Diarmuid McMahon, MD Sherry Fitzgerald McMahon, Ennis
The National Concertina Convention was to bring sweet music to Ennis over the next three days (April 1-3), with a wealth of performances, workshops and tutorials at venues around the town. The event will bring some of the foremost homegrown and international talent to Ennis.
Pat was joined in studio by Tim Collins and Francis Cunningham.
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