Clare Fm - Podcasts

The Clare based former President of the Irish Road Hauliers Association claims impending fuel price hikes could inflict serious damage on the economy. Government is set to press ahead with plans to increase the price of petrol by 4c per litre and diesel by 3c per litre from April 1st as part of a phased re-introduction of excise duty. Currently 50% of the price of a litre of all motor fuels is taxable, and under cabinet plans another excise duty increase would be introduced in August. Ennis Haulier Eugene Drennan says the Government is completely out of touch with the people.

A Clare Credit Union Manager insists an urgent information campaign is needed surrounding the Government's new auto-enrollment pension scheme to be introduced later this year. The new scheme will apply to all employees between the age of 23 and 60 earning over €20,000, who don't currently have a pension plan. Under the scheme, employees earning 30K per year would initially pay €37.50 a month, which would be matched by employers, while government would provide a €12.50 top up. Manager of St. Francis Credit Union in Ennis, Louis Fay believes many businesses will be put out by the scheme.

The Mayor of Clare insists he will challenge US government officials over their support of Israel when he visits the country on St. Patrick's Day. It comes as the United Nations predicts that more than 2 million Palestinians are now at risk of starvation in the enclave. Cathaoirleach Joe Cooney will visit New York on March 17th as part of the traditional Mayoral festivities, but the international spotlight will be very much focused on ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The UN is now predicting that 2.3m Palestinians are at risk of famine in the territory and only last month,the US pledged a further $14bn in military aid to Israel until 2028. The European Commiission has confirmed, meanwhile, that a ship carrying 200 tonnes of badly needed humanitarian aid is on its way from Cyprus to Northern Gaza. Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee will also form part of the delegation travelling to New York and Maghera Fianna Fáil Councillor Pat Hayes is imploring the delegation to make the feelings of the Clare peo

It's claimed a three year rent freeze is urgently needed in Clare for struggling tenants and young people to have any hope of owning their own home. Sinn Féin is putting motion forward in the Dáil this week, along with a proposal to temporarily re-introduce the no fault eviction ban. Last month, Clare County Council supported 75 households that received a notice to quit, while a further 82 were availing of homeless supports. Sinn Féin General Election Candidate and Cathaoirleach of the Shannon Municipal District Donna McGettigan insists the state has no grasp on the housing crisis.

Clare's Green Party councillor admits the level of red tape facing farmers must be reduced if the sector is to survive into the future. The local authority has formally given its support to the Irish Farmers' Assocation's 'Enough is Enough' campaign at a special meeting this week. Farmers' frustration was the subject of discussion at Áras Chontae an Chláir this week as members of Clare County Council met with IFA representatives. The meeting heard that 12,000 people in Clare are employed within the agricultural sector in some way, representing 20% of the county's working population. With an estimated 508,000 acres of farm land in the county, agriculture contributes over €1 billion to the local economy annually, according to IFA figures. Many of those in attendance at this week's meeting spoke of the challenges farmers are having in doing their time and labour intensive work, while also keeping up with mounting paperwork and bureaucracy. Kilrush Fine Gael Councillor and small farmer Gabriel Keating says

Farmers' frustration was the subject of discussion at Áras Chontae an Chláir this week as members of Clare County Council met with IFA representatives. The meeting heard that 12,000 people in Clare are employed within the agricultural sector in some way, representing 20% of the county's working population. With an estimated 508,000 acres of farm land in the county, agriculture contributes over €1 billion to the local economy annually, according to IFA figures. Many of those in attendance at this week's meeting spoke of the challenges farmers are having in doing their time and labour intensive work, while also keeping up with mounting paperwork and bureaucracy. Kilrush Fine Gael Councillor and small farmer Gabriel Keating says those working in the sector need to know they'll be given sufficient income support to justify the intensive "bookwork" involved in various schemes.

Bringing the community together is the chief aim of this year's St. Patrick's Day festivities in Shannon. A number of valued locals will be honoured over the course of Sunday's proceedings including long-time Scouts leader Richard Park, Sister Jo Cantwell and Chairman of the Cronan Residents' Association Derek Clune. A special tribute will also be paid to members of the fire brigade for their valued assistance to the family of Dylan Coady-Coleman who tragically lost his life two weeks ago. Organising committee member Niamh O'Callaghan says given how tough a year it's been for Shannon, the parade aims to highlight the positive contribution made by so many in the area.

On Tuesday's Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey spoke with Shane and James Tuite, as well as David Larkin, ahead of the European Taekwon-Do Championships in Poland.

Bóthar has launched its Easter 2024 fundraising campaign for Palestine. The Irish charity is asking the public for donations to provide immediate humanitarian aid through officially recognised UN and Irish Aid channels. To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey was joined by the CEO of Bóthar, Ailish O'Reilly, on Tuesday's Morning Focus. For more information on Bóthar's work please visit: https://www.bothar.ie/

To discuss the latest in the entertainment world, Alan Morrissey was joined by Clare FM’s Colum McGrath, on Tuesday’s Morning Focus. This week, Colum discussed the latest highlights from Celebrity Big Brother, questions for the palace over a suspicions photo of Kate Middleton which has been doctored and more on the Oscars.

On Tuesday’s Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey was joined by John Burns, retired Deputy Principal at Rice College and Director of the Burns Study Centre in Ennis. With the mocks being over, John gave advice on how to approach the next few months coming up to the State exams.

There will be plenty of St. Patrick's Day parades to choose from around Clare, as always. To find out more about Shannon's upcoming St.Patricks Day parade, Alan Morrissey spoke with Niamh O’Callaghan, a member of the organising committee.

On Tuesday's Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey spoke to a Morning Focus listener, who claims that she would rather die at home than go to University Hospital Limerick and die on a trolley, following a recent experience there. Our listener, who wishes to remain anonymous, aged in her 80s. She spent two days and two nights on a trolley at UHL, during her recent stay at the Dooradoyle facility. She highlighted her experience being in pain, left in a narrow corridor with no privacy to change clothes, and people constantly passing by and bumping into her trolley.

The Mayor of Clare is facing pressure to condemn the United States' support of Israel during his St.Patrick's Day trip. Cathaoirleach Joe Cooney will visit New York on March 17th, where he will meet his equivalent office holder, with Justice Minister Helen McEntee also expected to travel. Although the US has pledged to build a temporary port in Gaza to deliver humanitarian aid, the same administration also provided Israel with €3.8b in military aid just last year. Maghera Fianna Fáil Councillor Pat Hayes insists Clare's delegation has a major opportunity to address the situation, which cannot be wasted.

The Chair of the Irish Farmers' Association in Clare insists farmers need guaranteed income supports if environmentally-friendly practices are to be adopted. He was speaking at a special meeting of Clare County Council and IFA representatives this week at which the local authority formally extended its support to the IFA's 'Enough is Enough' campaign. The aim of the campaign is to highlight of the level of dissatisfaction amongst farmers with the role of EU policy in the Irish agricultural sector. Clare IFA Chair and Feakle native Stephen Walsh says farmers aren't anti-environment but can't survive if they're not adequately supported.

Clare's David Fitzgerald After Kilkenny NHL Win

A Clare Politics Professor believes the conflict in Gaza could be over by the time the United States builds a port in the territory to deliver humanitarian aid. It follows a protest held at Shannon Airport over allegations the US military is transporting arms to Israel through the Clare base.

A Clare TD believes the Government's referendum wording has let down many people seeking constitutional change. The Family and Care referendums were defeated by a majority 68% and 74% respectively in Clare with voters in Parteen rejecting the latter proposal by a staggering 85%. An 'Ireland Thinks' poll conducted in the wake of voting day found "vague or poor wording and lack of clarity" to be one of the primary reasons for many people voting against the proposed amendments. But Scariff Independent Deputy Michael McNamara, who advocated for a no-no vote along with the 'Lawyers For No' group, has been telling Clare FM's Seán Lyons that people knew exactly what they were being asked and voted accordingly.

The Clare branch of Saint Vincent De Paul believes the Government should be doing considerably more to reduce household energy costs. According to the CSO's latest survey of income and living conditions, 10% of the people nationwide are at risk of poverty. The analysis found though, that without the additional cost of living supports introduced in Budget 2024, the poverty rate would stand at 13.5%. Clare SVP President Denis Carthy insists further supports are urgently needed to reduce transport, childcare and electricity bills for struggling households.

On Monday’s Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey was joined by Tom Stewart from Keane’s Garden Centre in Kilcolgan. On this week’s In The Garden, Tom provided listeners with all the information, tips and tricks for growing your lawn. If you have a question for Tom, contact the show on 0818 400 964 or send a text or Whatsapp to 086 1800 964.