Clare Fm - Podcasts

The Health Minister says he's not ruling out upgrading Ennis, Nenagh and St. John's hospitals to Model 3 facilities in the future. It follows the publication of yesterday's HIQA report on University Hospital Limerick which found that "dignity and privacy" of patients at the Dooradoyle facility was negatively impacted by overcrowding. Last week's inquest into the death of Shannon teenager Aoife Johnston at the facility heard from Emergency Consultant Dr James Gray that 300 extra beds would be needed there to eliminate the overcrowding crisis. Responding to Sinn Féin Health Spokesperson David Cullinane in the Dáil, Health Minister Stephen Donnelly says a review of the healthcare needs of each region is in progress.

Clare County Council has been accused of missing an opportunity in failing to develop a south-east Clare village to its full potential. Bunratty-based Aontú local election candidate John Haugh is calling for greater attention to be given to Newmarket-on-Fergus with a view to boosting tourism in the area. It comes in a week when Ennistymon, Killaloe, Querrin and Labasheeda were allocated a total of €1.1 million in funding for rural towns and villages regeneration projects. Montpellier native Haugh, who's a professional filmmaker and project manager, says he's frustrated that more efforts aren't being made to have Newmarket village and Dromoland Castle work in tandem with each other.

It's being argued a new funding boost for the community functions of Clare County Council must translate into real improvements on the ground. Clare's Local Community Development Committee has been awarded an additional €85,000 in Government funding for additional staff resources. It's part of a €2.9 million allocation from the Department of Rural and Community Development aimed at supporting the staffing of Local Community Development Committees. Clare LCDC Chairperson and Independent Shannon Councillor Gerry Flynn says while the funding is welcome, people in this county need to see enhanced services in their communities.

The introduction of rent pressure zones in parts of Clare has been blamed for the continuing exodus of landlords from the rental market in this county. It comes as a new report from the Residential Tenancies Board's has shown the gap between the monthly cost for new and existing tenants is widening. New tenants were paying just over €1,200 on average between October and December last year, up 20% on the same period in 2022, while in contrast, existing tenants were forking out €912, representing a jump of 9%. Douglas Hurley of DNG O'Sullivan Hurley in Ennis has been telling Clare FM's Fiona Cahill that while the impact of RPZs in Ennis and Shannon has yet to be fully felt here, it has tightened a market were demand is already outstripping supply.

A Clare TD has accused the Government of taking an "all or nothing" approach to immigration law in Ireland. The Cabinet sub-committee on migration is meeting today where updates are being heard on efforts to expedite the processing of asylum seeker applications. Coming in a week when the Government has received much backlash for its handling of immigration, today's meeting is discussing plans to implement a more efficient deportation system for people whose asylum applications are rejected. The Cabinet sub-committee which deals with migration is also addressing other means of easing the perceived immigration crisis such as finding more accommodation for international protection applicants currently residing here. Despite reports that the meeting would include discussion on changes to welfare payments for those fleeing the war in Ukraine, this isn't expected to be on the agenda. The meeting comes one day after the Rural Independents called for a debate on the EU Migration and Asylum Pact. Scariff Indepen

Clare Senior Hurler Shane O'Donnell says it's an honour to be involved with Darkness into Light this year. The event raises vital funds aimed at delivering nationwide intervention and bereavement therapy services and helping people make the brave and difficult journey from the darkness of suicidal thoughts and self-harm into a brighter, more hopeful future. Over 100,000 participants are expected to gather at 230 official walks in 14 countries on May 11th, with a number of events taking place in Clare in Ennis, Shannon, Whitegate, Kilmihil and Killaloe-Ballina. 2022 All Star and Eire Óg clubman Shane O'Donnell has teamed up with Electric Ireland to launch this year's Darkness into Light and he believes it's a worthy cause.

There are calls for urgent clarity of the mortgage value of Clare homes impacted by pyrite after remedial works are carried out. It follows a meeting held between the Clare Pyrite Action Group, the Department of Housing and the Banking and Payments Federation on the matter. Just three grants have so far been paid out here under the enhanced defective blocks scheme and it's understood the Department have refused to commit to a proposal that provide homeowners with early capital funding. Clare Pyrite Action Group Chair and Crusheen based Sinn Féin local election candidate Dr Martina Cleary says it's unacceptable.

Renowned Northern journalist Eamonn Mallie has published his new book. In 'Eyewitness to War and Peace', he takes us through his many eventful years working as a journalist in the North. Eamonn made a name for himself by covering the Troubles from the frontlines and the developments from the corridors of power. His career has seen him enjoy unparalleled access to political heavyweights such as John Hume, Gerry Adams, Margaret Thatcher, Ian Paisley, Bill Clinton, Tony Blair, and a host of other influential figures involved in the peace process. Alan Morrissey was joined by Eamonn, who highlighted his memoir, Eyewitness to War and Peace, on Thursday's Morning Focus.

It is time for the twelfth episode of our newest feature on Morning Focus, Village Tour, where Alan Morrissey paid a visit to Spanish Point. With the Village Tour, we here at Morning Focus are aiming to highlight the smaller villages and townlands around the county. By doing this, we hope to showcase their unique character, while also bringing their diversity and individuality to life for you, the listener. During each episode of Village Tour, Alan chats with three people from a particular village or townland in Clare: from locals and business owners to those involved with local sports clubs and community representatives.

On this week’s episode of Taste Of The Week, Alan Morrissey welcomed TV Chef Jack O’Keeffe to the show. This week, Jack prepared a toastie like no other! Grilled Asparagus, Prosciutto and Goats Cheese Toast Recipe: Serves 2 Ingredients: 4 sheets of prosciutto or Parma ham 1 bunch of asparagus 1 tsp of balsamic vinegar 1 tsp extra virgin olive oil Pinch of salt and pepper 4 tbsp of St Tola Goats Cheese Spreadable or any other soft goats’ cheese 2 large slices of sourdough 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 1 tbsp local honey 1 tbsp peanut rayu Method 1. Preheat your oven to 180°C. Line an oven tray with parchment paper. Lay out the ham sheets on the tray and bake in the oven for 10 to 12 minutes until they're wonderfully crispy. Once done, set them aside. (Pro tip: These crispy ham bits can elevate your pastas, salads, and more for up to 3 days in the fridge!) 2. Trim off the woody ends of the asparagus. Drizzle them with balsamic vinegar and 1 tsp of olive oil, then grill them on a hot griddle pan or frying

Our series, ‘Clare Women in Business’, seeks to showcase the accomplishments of women in business, foster gender equality, and inspire future generations of female leaders. This week, Pat Flynn chats with freelance marketing consultant and Co-founder of Síar Photography, Aoife Lenihan

Clare County Council is being urged to pay greater attention to roads and footpaths in Shannon which are said to be "in an awful state". It comes just two weeks after Clare was allocated over €2 million under the Local Improvement Scheme for repairs and improvement works on non-public rural roads and laneways. The Shannon Electoral Area accounts for 9% the county's roads network and has received 14% of the municipal road works budget for the coming year. Shannon Fine Gael local election candidate Tony Mulcahy insists people paying taxes for roads maintenance deserve to have proper infrastructure delivered.

Clare’s minor football manager says his squad will carry positive momentum into their Munster semi final clash with Cork. The Banner claimed Phase One honours for the first time since 2019 with an impressive 2-12 to 0-10 win over Tipperary. Second half goals from Shane O’Connell and Conor Burke helped Clare to the title, with Burke finishing the game on a personal tally of 1-8. Manager Dermot Coughlan says it was the best team performance he has ever seen.

Concern has emerged that a new support team aimed at alleviating overcrowding at University Hospital Limerick will only provide "sticking plaster relief". The taskforce will operate for the next month and will include the former President of the Irish Emergency Medicine Association and the HSE National Director of Acute Hospitals, along with clinical directors from Waterford University Hospital. It comes as the Health Service Executive has been granted planning permission for two new elective hospitals in Dublin, to be located in Blanchardstown and Crumlin. HSE Regional Health Forum West Member and Kilkee Fianna Fáil Councillor Cillian Murphy has been telling Clare FM's Daragh Dolan it's inexcusable at this point for government not to prioritise a second A&E in Ennis.

An MEP for this region admits farmers aren't receiving enough supports to facillitate environmentally-friendly farming. EU member states are expected to adopt proposed amendments to the Common Agricultural Policy, or CAP, on May 13th, which are expected to ease the administrative burden for farmers. Speaking at yesterday's meeting of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council, Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue said "if we are asking farmers to achieve policy objectives, then they have to be at the heart of those discussions". Green Party MEP and Ireland South candidate Grace O'Sullivan says while farmers are getting good supports at present, more must be done to ensure a seamless transition to sustainable practices.

A local migrants rights group claims the Government is dealing with an immigration crisis of its own making, due to a failure to put proper reception conditions in place. New figures from the Department of Justice show less than 200 asylum seekers have been returned to the UK over a six-year period. It comes as an encampment of international protection applicants in Dublin has been removed this morning. On a week when the Irish and UK Governments have been at odds over the return of asylum seekers to the UK, the Justice Minister has now clarified the numbers presenting here from the north. Minister Helen McEntee prevously claimed over 80% of asylum seekers in Ireland have come over the border but has now pointed to Justice Department data which shows the true figure is in fact 91%. Despite this, a Downing Street spokesperson claims the UK has "no legal obligation" to accept the return of asylum seekers who cross the Common Travel Area. Under the Dublin III Regulation, which was a reciprocal return agree

The Principal of Clare's largest secondary school insists it's no surprise that students prefer a co-education model rather than attending same-sex institutions. It follows the findings of a new ESRI survey of over 2,300 teenagers nationwide which found that just 4% of students in Co-Ed schools said they would prefer to attend an all-boys or all-girls school. On the other two-thirds of students in same-sex schools said they would have preferred to attend a co-educational setting. Principal of St.Flannans College in Ennis, Fr.Ignatius McCormack believes attending a mixed school is much better for social development.

The Irish Blood Transfusion Service will be holding donation clinics in Shannon from today in order to increase stocks ahead of the Bank Holiday weekend. Fresh blood for adults can be held for up to 21 days, while supplies for children and infants can only be stored for five days and at present the IBTS only has a 4-day supply available. The Shannon donation clinics will take place this afternoon and tomorrow Thursday from twenty past four at the Oakwood Arms Hotel until 7. Broadford based IBTS Recruitment Executive Alex O'Connor is urging donors to come forward.

Munster will be hoping to build on their impressive display against Leinster in last weekend’s opening fixtures in the Men’s Junior Interprovincial Series when they host Ulster this Saturday. Munster drew 20-20 with the defending champions at Kilkenny RFC, a side they had lost to by 45-21 last year. Ennis Rugby Club will be the venue for Munster’s meeting with Ulster, a side who finished second last year, thanks to wins over both Munster and Connacht. For more on this weekend’s fixture Alan Morrissey was joined by Brian Farrell, President, Ennis RFC and Richard Murphy, Club Registrar, at Ennis RFC.

On Wednesday’s Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey was joined by Tommy Corbett from Carey Corbett Financial Solutions. This week, Tommy joined Alan to discuss options for pensions.