On today’s show it was time for The Friday Panel. Joining Máire in studio was Mark Dunphy from Dunphy PR, Connolly, Peter O’Connell from the Clare Champion and Ciana Campbell from the Ennis Book Club Festival. Among the topics they discussed for the past news week was the programme for the annual exodus of Government Ministers abroad for St Patrick’s Day. The programme for 2014 has as many long-haul destinations this year as during the years leading up to the bailout in 2010. The programme announced on Monday includes ten visits to destinations in the North Americas and a further six visits by Ministers and Ministers of State to the Middle East, the Far East and Australasia. Taoiseach Enda Kenny will visit three cities (Washington DC, New York and Boston) during his visit to the US. In previous years at the height of the recession the extent of trips abroad was pared back.
The panel also talked about how thousands have been protesting at a lack of Irish language services. Thousands of people met on Saturday at Parnell Square in Dublin and marched to Dáil Eireann in the event called La Mor na Gaeilge. As the crowd marched they chanted, "tir gan teanga tir gan anam" (a country without language is a country without soul). Organised by Conradh na Gaeilge, the protest was prompted by the news that the Language Commissioner Sean O Cuirreain is to resign over the Government's failure to improve services in Irish.
Also this week it was announced that Anthony Foley has been installed as new head coach to Munster Rugby. The panel talked about the man himself and what he may do for the team. Anthony Foley said this week that being appointed the new Munster coach was ‘surreal’ — but he is just not going to have the time to dwell on it. He has worked his way up through the ranks as a player and coach but admitted that being asked to take the top job has hit him for six. “It’s a bit surreal at the moment. It’s like it’s happening to somebody else to be honest,” he said. Rugby has charted his life through St Munchin’s, Shannon, Munster and Ireland and readily admitted that taking over as head coach in July will consume his life.
They also commented on tomorrow’s game – Ireland take on England in the 6 Nations on Saturday. Paul O’Connell will lead the side as Ireland seek their first win in Twickenham since 2010. Chris Henry, a try scorer against Wales, retains the No.7 jersey and is joined in the back row by Peter O’Mahony and Jamie Heaslip. Conoor Murray and Johnny Sexton continue as the half-back pairing with Brian O’Driscoll and Gordon D’Arcy lining out in midfield. O’Driscoll today equals George Gregan as the most capped player of all time in Test rugby.
To contact the show please email [email protected]
