We opened this morning's show with a warning for drivers. Did you know that July is the deadliest month on our roads? The weather's good, so it may come as a surprise, but statistics prove this is the case and to find out why, and to get advice, Gavin spoke with Barry Keating, Clare County Council's Road Safety Officer.
Then the show turned to the future of Moneypoint. The Green Party leader insists the continued burning of fossil fuels at Moneypoint is not a viable option. Eamon Ryan was responding to a claim from Clare Independent TD Dr. Michael Harty that closing the South Clare facility, which is Ireland's only coal-burning station, would be unacceptable in light of the employment it creates in the area. The Government's recent White Paper on energy, said that key decisions on the future of Moneypoint will be taken before 2020 and that coal will remain a significant element of our power generation mix for up to a decade. Deputy Harty also pointed out that burning coal is a cheap way of producing energy for Ireland, however Eamon Ryan dismissed this as unsustainable. The two joined Gavin on the line to discuss the issue.
It's back to the drawing board for Blake's Corner after Clare County Council plans to deal with long standing traffic issues in Ennistymon have been rejected by Transport Infrastructure Ireland. The scheme proposed by the local authority comprises a two-phase project, Phase 1 of which would accommodate estimated traffic needs until 2032 at least. Although designed and constructed to facilitate two-way traffic, the proposed new bridge would under Phase 1 operate one-way and would facilitate Lahinch-bound traffic only, with traffic from Lahinch continuing to use the existing bridge that will also function as a one-way facility. The necessity for Phase 2, which would provide for two-way traffic on the new bridge, is based on emerging traffic needs. TII has said it can't approve a single-phased project as it represents a short-term solution only. Cllr Bill Chambers, FF Mayor of Clare and Sheena Clancy, Owner of West Clare Flowers, Bridge Street, Lahinch Road, Ennistymon both spoke to Gavin to give their response to the news.
On our weekly Garda Focus slot, Sgt. Joe Downey, Crime Prevention Officer, Ennis Garda Station was in studio to give details on the latest happenings around the county.
Today, Clare FM announces that its Radio Bingo proceeds will go towards a new beneficiary, Shlainte an Chlair, Clare Cancer Support. Slainte provides to cancer sufferers, survivors and families. Its centre was opened in Kilnamona in 2010 and it now offers outreach in Kilrush and Scarriff. The service provides counselling, lymphoedema draining, reflexology and other therapies free-of-charge. It also offers a transport service for those accessing cancer threatment. While the centre is affiliated with the HSE, it's not funded by them. It doesn't receive funding from the Irish Cancer Society either, so fundraising and the support of Radio Bingo is crucial. Marie Phelan Treasurer of Slainte an Chlair, Antoinette Bashua Cancer survivor and service user with Slainte an Chlair and Stephen Broderick of Radio Bingo were all in studio to discuss new benificary.
Next we had the latest Fleadh News. Micheal O'Riabhaigh, Chairman of the Fleadh Executive Committee, was in studio to discuss concerts which will take place during the Fleadh. He went through some of the highlights and noted that all concerts can be booked on fleadhcheoil.ie.
Finally today we had the Monday Sports Panel. Derrick Lynch, Clare FM Sport, and Eoin Brennan of The Clare People, were in to discuss the weekend's sporting action.
