On todays edition of Morning Focus with Gavin Grace – John Downing Political Correspondent with The Irish Independent gave us the the latest on The Dáil's Ceann Comhairle Sean Barrett who has withdrawn his claims that opposition TDs were "out to get him". A contrite Seán Barrett told the Dail that he made the comments "in the heat of the moment" and does not stand by them.The leaders of Fianna Fail and Sinn Fein have accepted the withdrawal of the contentious comments. Deputy Barrett is also to ask the Dail's procedural committee to consider changing the rules around circumstances where the Dáil wants to debate a matter that is currently before the courts.
Almost half (48%) of all household septic tanks inspected for the Environmental Protection Agency failed. Just under a thousand (987) inspections were carried out by local authorities under EPA supervision between July 2013 and June last year as part of the first ever national review of domestic waste water treatment systems in Ireland. Eimear Cooney EPA Inspector (Environmental Protection Agency) spoke to Gavin about the report findings and offered us advice on how to keep our tanks up to par. Clare County Council has cited staff resource issues behind it's slow start to a system of septic tank inspections. EPA report in the year up to last June only 17 of the 55 assessments which were due to be carried out by Council staff in Clare had been completed. The Council had caught up by December, however, and now over 80 inspections have been conducted with one in three tanks failing to pass. Paul Moroney is a Senior Engineer with Clare County Council's Environment Section spoke to Gavin about this.
Plans to reduce parking charges in Ennis are to be explored over the coming months. Last evening's meeting of the Ennis Municipal Authority saw the unusual step of a motion from all eight Councillors, who sought that parking charges be reduced from one-euro-thirty to one-euro per hour. However, the Council said this wasn't possible for this year because there was no room in the budget for the resulting loss in income.Councillor Clare Colleran Molly, Mayor of Ennis Councillor Johnny Flynn and Jean McCabe of Willow Fashion Boutique in Ennis all joined us to discuss the issue.
Today is World Cancer Day and to mark the occassion Gavin spoke with Ballyvaughan man, Frank Russell who is the inspiration behind a new online forum which invites cancer patients to share their stories and experiences of the illness. The Lazarus Community Forum was launched 2 weeks ago and the point of the forum is to bring hope to those people going through cancer and to their families.The forum can be found at cancersupport.ie
Joanne O Connell of Vapourpal Store lower market street in Ennis spoke to Gavin about the regualtion of e-cigarettes. On yesterdays show we heard from Senator Averil Power about the proposed regulation of electronic cigarettes in a new Bill published by Senator Power and Independent Senator and consultant oncologist John Crown. Joanne welcomes the regualtion however calls for it to be backed-up with scientific proof; that is the effects of vapour versus the effects tobacco.
ICMSA Clare Chairman Martin Mc Mahon and Councillor Joe Cooney spoke to us about the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Heather Humphreys TD, announcement that she is setting up a Working Group within her Department to consider the range of submissions received in response to the public consultation process on Section 40 of the Wildlife Act, which deals with controls on hedgecutting and burning for the protection of biodiversity.
Finally our resident Vet John Underhill of Burren Vets joined us in studio to talk about the birth of twins in larger animals, how common are they and what problems can arise. As usual, John addressed some of your pet queries too.
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