Water, but I'm not saying it sounds like it sounds like water. Well, you've just said no, I'm not in the car and I hear the noise. I'm like, oh, how long does it get to work in either way? Yeah, did you go in the car?  We get for you. Quiet, good, refreshing. Yeah. No. I remember I was coughing all weekend. Keep you up all night. We hot, sir. Yeah. Yeah. He's grand though. Is he getting anything for it? Take it. He's just a cough. Right, OK. I remember this time this day last year, funny, because you said to me, says, did you not play Blue Monday by, you know, because today's Blue Monday? Thank you very much. But I didn't bother because why? Why dwell on this? Oh, is it actual? Yeah. And that's all. It's a day, isn't it? Talk about credit cards and stuff. It's just nonsense. Yeah, you're right. So I didn't bother. Keep it happy. Keep happy and focused on the future, man. God, you're welcome. Coffee's licking away and everything. You're very relaxed today. Take care of yourself. God bless you. You'll have a little dust and probably coming into work tomorrow, so be careful. Oh, right. So we're going to have Alan O'Reilly on later to talk about the weather. We're going to get the worst of it this week. Yeah, out of all the country, I think it is the Northwest, isn't it? Yeah, the Northwest. But tomorrow could be a bit of snow on the ground, so you be careful, sunshine. Yeah, OK. All right, then. Thanks, Dad. Cheers. OK, it is a minute past nine. I'll tell you what else is coming up on the show after we get the news now. And it's over to Donna Marie Daherty. Thanks, Greg. Good morning. Counties along the West Coast, including Johnny Gaul, are hosting a higher number of Ukrainian refugees than other areas. The Department of Integration says over 58,500 were being provided with short-term state accommodation as of last week. Sheila Nocten reports. Kerry is currently hosting the highest number of Ukrainians in the state accommodation nationwide at over 7,000. That is 12.4% of the total number accommodated across all counties. This is more than Dublin, which is sitting at just under the 7,000 mark. Figures also show Cork, Galway, Clare, Mayo, and Donnie Gaul have a higher percentage portion of the overall number compared to the rest of the country, that's according to the Irish Independent. The majority of Ukrainian refugees being housed in this short-term accommodation are under the age of 18 at over 42,000. Meanwhile, despite the ongoing conscription in Ukraine, 19,712 men aged between 19 and 55 have received PPS numbers from the Irish state. Talks at Hillsborough Castle today could be the last chance to put a stop to an upcoming strike action in Northern Ireland. There's a warning that the North will come to a standstill on Thursday as tens of thousands of public sector workers walk out to demand better pay. The British government is withholding money to help resolve the dispute until the DUP ends its dormant boycott and power sharing returns. Alan Perry is senior organiser with the GMB, one of the 15 unions involved in the walkout. I think it's like anything, we remain hopeful. I mean, ultimately, that's going to be a political decision whether the parties can get an agreement, but certainly we would be asking that we get back to normality as soon as possible. But ultimately, if it doesn't, there is the potential for further action down the line.  That's the warning being issued by a Gehirlog of Glenty's municipal district. Councillor Michael McLeafrey is asking those who come across a cast sheep to act fast. He says they can become victim to birds in this condition and do not have a great deal of time before it comes fatal. It is a particular concern at this time of year as many sheep will be ready to lamb. Councillor McLeafrey says it comes at a great cost to farmers. The farming life is no different than the other, no different than the other for farm businesses to mark. Everything is so expensive. People, farmers cannot afford to use any livestock. So that's just what I'm going to say this morning and it's just to make people out here. If they do happen to see a sheep when they're out walking or indeed either stuck either in a fence or either it's hard to keep around here. It can be a team stuck in the fence as well but they're out through the fence. It's just to let somebody know. Looking to weather, frost and ice this morning is slow to clear and lingering in some sheltered areas throughout the day. Otherwise, there will be spells of winter sunshine along with well-scattered showers of rain, sleet and snow, highest temperatures of two to four degrees. That's all for now. Back again at 10 o'clock until then. Good morning. Because your health means... VHI are here for the whole you. With the hold of us. Our own doctors, our own health centres and a wide range of our own specialists. From dermatologists and pediatricians to women's health experts. VHI. Because your health means everything. VHI insurance, DAC trading is VHI insurance is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. The county's number one talk show, The Ninetal Noon Show on Highland Radio. And now, it's time for the talk of the Northwest, The Ninetal Noon Show with Greg Hughes on Highland Radio. Hello, good morning to you. It's the start of another week here on The Ninetal Noon Show. It's Monday, the 15th of January 2024 and I do hope you're very well indeed. How are you all keeping? How was your weekend? Let us know if there's anything you want us to talk about. We can add it to the running order, so to speak. You can get in contact with us right now. The lines are open for you<PHONE_NUMBER>,<PHONE_NUMBER>, WhatsApp and text. Now, also, of course, that number is good for you whenever you're listening to this show. So if you're listening on a podcast or if you're listening overnight, feel free to get involved in the conversation. It's great to have you on board. If you want to give us a call at 07491 25000 from outside the Republic of Ireland, 0-03537491 25000. And your emails from anywhere in the world, comments at HighlandRadio.com. And just an early invite for you. If it suits your lifestyle, maybe you work from home or you work in the home, you can watch us on your smart TV. Most of the TVs, like the one over my shoulder here, have the YouTube app built in. You can dial in Highland Radio Ireland and watch us on your big screen. Or if you've got one of those fire sticks as well, the YouTube app preloaded on most of those or Google TV for that matter. And you can take us with us, take us with you on that device across your mobile devices because we're also on X streaming across the world and Facebook, Highland Hub, Highland Radio News and Sport. Okay, let's get to the newspapers this morning. The dairy people, Donegal News, calls that have been made for the immediate inspection of all fire hydrants in Letter County to ensure that they are fit for purpose, concern emerged in December after Donegal Fire Service was alerted to a fire in a two-story semi-detached house in Meadowbank Lane in the town, but struggled to access water due to a clog in the closed fire hydrant. Firefighters had to go further to another fire hydrant before they got access to water. While no one was injured, in the incident it prompted fears locally. We had spoken to a family affected in the same way, of course, if not the same family. And the reason they spoke out in the immediate aftermath of the awful shock and events for them, thankfully no one was injured, was to, A, thank the emergency services for their response, but also to highlight the fact that some of these hydrants can be blocked and there needs to be an assessment of all of that. So good to see it, I can't seem to go on the same page there. The dairy news this morning. Dairy man waits four years for dementia diagnosis. I went to the doctor in June 2018 and was diagnosed in April 2022. Two months shy of four years. That's the shocking length of time. Graham, a dimension Northern Ireland member from Dairy, had to wait for his onset, his young onset dementia diagnosed. That was from initial referral to receiving a diagnosis. Graham told the Dairy News. Now, wonder is that an isolated instant or is that the normal waiting time? It's an awful long time to be waiting. On to the Irish Independent now and they have statistics on where Ukrainians are living in Ireland. And I posted up some statistics yesterday or at the weekend as it relates to, and I'll mention them to you as it mentioned to iPass and where people are living. And I pointed out that quite a lot of them have been located at Lonigol. And it is quite surprising the amount of people that don't want you to talk about that or to say that or to put that out there because they believe it's whipping up some sort of a, you know, by simply talking about the figures that it's whipping up ill feeling. My argument would be the ill feeling is there or not. And we can't have information being suppressed or not talked about because some people interpret a certain way. Everyone's gone to interpret things differently. Well, there are 58,528 Ukrainians in short-term accommodation in this country. And counties we read on the west coast of Ireland are housing a higher proportion of Ukrainian refugees who fled the Russian invasion and the new figures show. Kerry is hosting the highest number of Ukrainians, even more than Dublin, and far more than any east coast or community Baltic County outside the capital. The figures show that along with Kerry, counties Donegal, Galway, Clare, Cork and Mayo have a far higher percentage proportion of the overall numbers of Ukrainians accommodated by the state compared to the rest of the country. In Donegal, it is 2,259. There are two figures here, Walling brackets and one noton brackets. In Sligo, 1,807, Mayo, 2,916, Clare, 3,763. Kerry, 7,292, which I wonder is that linked to the levels of tourism accommodation? We in Donegal, obviously a big tourism county.  In Donegal, it's 2,259. In terms of iPass and the amount of people that are living in various areas, Donegal has a high rate of... Well, it's a high rate when you look at it nationally, but there are other ways of looking at it as well. There are 1,686 iPass occupants living in Donegal. That's 6.4% of the total iPass occupations nationwide. Now, these are people from various countries, not Ukraine, that are fleeing war, or at least that's what they claim they are until such time as they're assessed and that's what is deemed to be the case. Now, the reality is 1,686 is a lot, but it is one in every 100 people, which some might see as a very low percentage, because obviously the narrative out there is that the country is being completely overrun, but here in Donegal, with the highest rate of iPass occupancy, it's one in 100. Now, maybe for some, that's too high. For others, they might go, wow, I thought it would be more than that, but anyway, those are the statistics and you can do, it's up to you what you think about those. Donegal is taking per head of population, per 100,000, the second highest rate of iPass applicants, and also a very high rate there of Ukrainians. So those are simply the statistics, which I'm bringing you this morning. They're being broadly reported right across the country, because it is obviously a topic of great interest. The Irish Times this morning, the Medical Council has complained about junior doctors being required to do mundane negative tasks that it say should be performed by nurses and other health workers. A failure to transfer tasks from non-consultant hospital doctors to nurses is having a negative impact on the education of trainee doctors and on Ireland's ability to attract and retain doctors, it claims. The tasks include taking bloods from patients, putting in drips, and nurse-led discharging of patients. While these tasks must be learned, completing them on a frequent and regular basis adds to the trainee doctor's workload, quickly loses its educational value and deprives them of potential learning opportunities elsewhere according to Una O'Rourke, director of education and training at the Medical Council. So you can see where that could be problematic. On to the Irish Daily Mail now, an urgently needed new housing projects are under threat from anti-immigrant protesters, politicians fear. Now, I honestly, I'm not really convinced about this at all, reading on to the story. Government TDs have expressed concerns that homes will be burnt down amid caused cut rates for long-term Ukrainian refugees. The TDs are focusing their anger on integration minister, Dr. Craig Gorman and Justice Minister, Helen McInty, as the government faces the threat of losing independent support. One of Finagel's former frontmen, Ivan Yates, warns immigration is becoming the zeitgeist issue in Ireland. Fears are escalating across rural Ireland as the government is struggling to hold the centre, political ground, despite pledges on provision, providing continual information and a plan to deal with the number of international protection applicants entering the country. The FINA4 TD says rural Ireland is in uproar. It is though they are closing down rural Ireland. Housing, nursing homes are all being taken over. We appear to have no vision for rural Ireland beyond it being a building pen, sorry, a holding pen for refugees. I mean, the widespread arson of, is there a widespread fear of arson attacks? Maybe there is, I don't know. On to the Irish Daily Star.  It can be really quite attractive. The starting salary is around about €35,000. But that can be boosted with, if you're on duty at certain times or what have you, you get a lift from that. There's lots of overtime available apparently and you can get up to £55,000 in eight years. So by the time you're 58, you could be on £55,000. That's if you're 50, going into the guards. Guarder Commissioner Drew Harris has called for people from all backgrounds to join the force. On the day the age limit for applications is raised to 50. A new €400,000 recruitment campaign launches this morning and Mr Harris insists being a guarder is a job worth doing. He said, we want to need people from all backgrounds and communities to be guardee. Already we were one of the highest proportion rates of female officers in Europe, but we know there is more to do to meet our aim of being fully representative of the people we serve. Are you thinking about going for the guards? Let us know. Oh wait, £60,000, £25,000. Is it something that seems attractive to you? You know, in that age group 35 to 50, it's a little easier to do the exercising stuff. They have a, it's graded for age and gender. So you don't have to do necessarily the same physical exertion that a 23-year-old recruit might have to. Onto the sun this morning and TD Bernard Durkin is taking his battle of the balls to Lotto HQ as he rages against the odds. The jackpot rolled over for the 25th time on Saturday. I don't do the Lotto, so it doesn't bother me, but for some people it might bother them, so that's why I'm reading this. The prize for the Lotto has now climbed to more than €13 million. It has not been won since October 11th last year, almost 100 days ago. Finnegal Rep Durkin railed against the rollovers and will now pay a visit to Lotto HQ on Saturday to act as an independent witness to a live draw as part of his campaign. Last week the paper revealed how the veteran TD is planning to raise the Lotto's unwinning streak with public expenditure minister Pasco Donohue in the Dall this week when politicians return to Lentzter House. But it's not owned by the state anymore. I mean, does it have to be fair?  It is a bit of, I've always seen it really as a poor man's tax or a poor person's tax in that, you know, when you see yourself as having no real option of acquiring masses of wealth, you know, what do you do?  It's crazy. And the wealth split in this country is unbelievable.  It's absolutely shocking. The top two billionaires, and I'm doing this off the top of my head, the top two billionaires in this country have more than, I think it's the bottom. I don't wanna read the wrong stats anyway, but it's 35, 50% of the rest of the population. It's absolutely crazy. And we have a group of billionaires, four or five billionaires in the world, right, who have accumulated so much wealth. One of them is gonna become a trillionaire, at least one of them in the next while.  And whilst they're getting richer, more and more people ride across the world. And I think we're stopping to think globally more than we ever did, but are unable to feed themselves. These are children. Like you have someone like Elon Musk, who is by certain people is seen as this champion, this person to look up for, this amazing human being. And maybe he is because he allows you to say certain things on Twitter, if that's what it's all about. But he's one of the group of five people that could eliminate the problems of the world if they wanted to, but instead they continued to acquire their wealth. I don't know what the solution is. I don't know what politically, spreading that wealth around a little bit would achieve or what you'd be labeled as social. I don't have a clue what it is. But anyway, it just is horrendous. Speaking of money though, and things are going to get a little bit techy in the North because there are strikes upcoming and there's accusations that money that could stop these strikes is being used to put pressure on the DUP. DUP leader Gavin Robinson said, it would be blackmail for the UK to leverage funding for the North against the demand of the party on post-Brexit trading arrangements. I'm not sure other than DUP if anyone's interested in that now. It seems such a long time ago. But it comes amid a Sinn Féin bid to recall Stormont on Wednesday, the day before the largest public sector strikes in decades. I think there's never been a coordinated strike like this in the North. Thursday is also the deadline for Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris to call an assembly election if Stormont has not been restored. And what it really boils down to is there's pay rises for lots of public workers that can't be delivered or paying crisis that can't be delivered because the money to do so is subject through to there being a devolved government. So there's right across teachers, nurses, ambulance drivers, they're all striking on Thursday. And really it's putting pressure on the DUP to go back into government because if they do then this 7,800 million euro or pound sorry is released and they get their pay rises. So the DUP are claiming is this blackmail? It feels like blackmail but they have their red lines as I say though outside of the DUP. I'm not sure how many are interested in those red lines. Okay. Let us take a first break before we join. We're joined by our first guest. The nine-tone intro with Lettercanny Credit Union. Simplify your debts with a debt consolidation loan from Lettercanny Credit Union. Call us on<PHONE_NUMBER> or apply online via our app or in office today. Step into style with green shoes. Stocking the latest styles from all your favorite brands and footwear. From Doc Martens, New Balance and Echo to Ryker, Birkenstock and Bugatti. Shop in store in Green Shoes Market Square, Lettercanny Shopping Center and Fulcara. Or shop from the comfort of home on greenshoes.com and have the latest styles delivered right to your doorstep. Shop LK and one for all gift cards accepted in store. Green Shoes, perfect fit for every foot. LK Bakes, now ready for Bakes to work 2024. Use your Bakes to work benefits for Bakes and safety equipment, including eBakes up to the value of 1,500 Euro. Visit our showroom to explore a comprehensive selection of eBakes, leisure Bakes, road Bakes and mountain Bakes. Available for you to try out or shop online at lkbakes.com with free nationwide delivery. LK Bakes, Lettercanny. If your New Year's resolutions are already struggling, consider taking a leaf out of the GAA fan's book of unwavering commitment. Keep your goals 6.5 meters wide, commit to shouting at the top of your lungs as often as possible, and focus on counting points instead of calories. The new season is just getting going. Don't miss a moment with a GAA season ticket. Available now on gaa.ie forward slash season ticket. Are you in? The GAA, where we all belong. The ultimate ABBA sensations tribute comes to Anchorage Hotel Ghidor on Friday, January 19th and the Villa Rose Hotel Bully Buffet on Saturday, January 20th. Tickets available from hotel reception and online at Eventbrite. Highland Radio time checks with Expressway. Travel Route 32 from Lettercanny to Dublin when you book online and travel for less. Expressway, bringing you the time, us? The time's just turned 22 minutes past nine. We say good morning now to Councillor Jerry McMunnigill. Good morning, Jerry. Thanks for your time today. Jerry, can you hear me? OK, he's just joining or whatever. Jerry, when you can hear me, you might just let me know. Just to clarify, by the way, the speed limit on the four lanes coming into or going out of Lettercanny, just to be absolutely clear, we wanted to make sure that we got the official info from the council. And it's a significant improvement. So the N56 four lane road were completed late last year. Signage is in place, exiting the Polestar roundabout and the Dryarch roundabouts to inform the posted speed limit of 60 kilometres per hour. Right, let's see. Jerry, can you hear me? Yeah, OK, lovely stuff. Great to have you on board. Just a quick one, and I don't want to spring this on you. It's just for an initial comment before we talk about what we invited you on to talk about. We've been notified from a listener that there are 10 Donegal guard cars sitting in a compound in a garage waiting to be serviced. They conclude that this means patrol cars are off the road across the country in the meantime and some of the cars in there have reached their mileage limit 200 K and need service to be released again from this listener's understanding. Another example of lack of resources up here. We don't I'm sure we don't have 10 spare guard cars to be sitting waiting to be serviced. It's certainly something maybe worth making an inquiry about. Yes, certainly would. It seems an order in the amount of cars to be on getting service at the one time. As you said, we have been campaigning for more cars for quite a while with the JPC and indeed with the courtesy of Conor. So, you know, it sounds strange that there are 10 cars and getting serviced at the same time. And while that's welcome and they're going to be roadworthy, you would imagine after that, it's still it would, you know, nearly smack off bad management or crisis management that 10 cars have to be on at the same time. Yeah, indeed. Right, OK, well, thanks very much for that, Jerry.  OK, that line's just not fantastic for us this morning. I'll just wait till it's rectified because we are reading this morning that calls are to be made for the immediate inspection of all fire hydrants in Letrakenny to ensure that they all fit for purpose. Concerns emerged in December after Donegal Fire Service was alerted to a fire in a two-storey semi-detached house in Meadowbank Lane in the town. Councillor Monagol, you're raising this issue in fairness. I think in a very difficult time for them, we did have another family on this programme.  You're taking up this issue yourself as well. No, that line has... Yeah, go ahead, Jerry. I might come back to you because your signal is absolutely brutal there. So I'm going to come back to Jerry Monagol in a moment. There's no point continuing if we can't hear what he has to say. Is anyone else having trouble with Gov.ie and RSA websites? I've been trying to book a driving test this past week and I've had no look. I've written my password down and when I go to login, it doesn't recognise my details, so I registered again using my same email and it tells me that it's already in use. So how come it doesn't recognise me when I sign in? I can't even call anyone as all this has to be done online. I can't believe that I'm the only one having trouble with this as I'm not a silly person and I know my way around the computer. I tried signing in with Gov.ie and having trouble with that site as well. Is there any way that I can get to speak to a human to book my test? Any advice appreciated? Any of you have any suggestions as to what that person can do? 08, 660, 25,000. The Gov.ie website can be a little bit complicated. There's just no doubt about that in terms of signing in and sometimes it's connected to a text and what have you. But anyway, I'm sure someone out there will be able to tell us what the situation is. All right, Councillor Monagall, sorry about that. That's just a slight issue with the internet. Right, so you are calling what for a countywide review of our fire hydrants or what do you think is required? Well, initially, because we're in the letter to NAMD I'm calling and asking that we would have an inspection of all fire hydrants in the NAMD but I think it needs to go across the county.  That's a major concern, it takes time and it could lead to what more damage to the property than what might be necessary and also could lead to people being seriously hurt or worse and that's a real concern for us that this has happened and we're asking now whoever, because there seems to be a gray area, I've been talking to fire service and there seems to be a gray area as to who's responsible for ensuring that the fire hydrants are working properly and are set for purpose. So I just want to get clarity on that and confirmation that the fire hydrants will be checked and regularly checked and that they ensure that they're set for purpose. Yeah, for all the rules that sort of, you know, lead to sacrifices almost from fire personnel in terms of how close they are to the station, how quick they respond and what have you, it's clear that every second counts, the last thing they need when they get geared up, get to a site is to try and access water and where they expect water to be, it not to be there. That's completely unacceptable, isn't it? Very much so and it's not an isolated incident. I know it's happened in the past as well and also another problem with the fire hydrants is being able to identify the location. I know especially at night time when they arrive and they'll call and if they start looking in the streets to see where the hydrants are but not clearly marked as the way they used to be and again this is a fall down and maybe it's fallen between the stools who's responsible for clearly outlining and marking the fire hydrants from other utilities and manholes so it's something we need to look at. The others there, I mean, you think in this time and age and I asked if I should surely use what have an app that would identify when you go into an area where the fire hydrants are and apparently you don't and that's maybe a job of work that somebody could be involved in mapping out where the hydrants are and then get them into an app that could be supplied to the fire service because all these things save time and they'll save lives in the long run and they'll certainly save the extent of damage that might be done to buildings whether it's businesses or family homes. So you're sort of saying to the Latticun AMD it's over to you it's over to the executive to find out who's responsible and who might put together this kind of information and it's not really fully clear yet is that what you're saying? Yeah, since Irish Water and Escairn as it's known as now took over the water supply and provision from the councils in 2014 over this last number of years they've been slowly but surely taken full control and just recently they have now full control of all water services and delivery and maintenance off it would have been in the past because I remember during town council days you would have seen them testing the hydrants so that they're sure they're working and all by the council so I don't know now is that responsible they offer the council is it with Escairn or is it with the fire service so we need clarity on that Greg and more importantly we need to ensure that when the fire service arrives at a given scene that they know they can go straight as quick as possible to the nearest hydrant they're just going to be working and be able to access water from it Yeah, Texter, a caller rang us and we were chatting to them and says I'm an ex fire service person the hydrants are inspected as part of the fire service drill half of them are not in use when needed and that's the responsibility of the council or at least maybe during their time it was the council I think you're sort of seeking clarity is it the council is it Irish Water what is the inspection program there's lots of questions there I think the councilor that you'll be seeking some clarity on Yeah and look at various inspections that's welcome but then what happens if they find a defective hydrant what's the process then does it go to the council you would imagine the council would respond to that there promptly so if we can get that map and we can see right who checks them who's responsible for maintenance because the council are no longer in the delivery of water services that's a scare now so if they get a program in place have they made provision for that have they got personnel to do that them's all the things I'm seeking clarity on but most importantly I want to be sure that when the fire service are called the next time they come out that there's going to be hydrants that are fit for purpose and working properly OK Farron off thank you very much for that that's councilor Jay Monagle there we were speaking to the 9 till noon show and minister Ryan's proposal I'm not quite sure it was a proposal but anyway his proposal to involve the SEAI SEAI in the micro compensation scheme to bring the affected houses up to today's building standards particularly re-installation they go on to say the SEAI has had contractors on their lists for whom the SEAI takes absolutely no responsibility since at least 2019 who did substandard defective work to people's homes damaged them in the process despite SEAI commissioned research by UCD which was presented to the Eurotus which stated that at least 50% of SEAI retrofitted homes were affected there's been no mention of compensation redress for those homeowners can you warn the micro compensation group of this and can an SEAI compensation group be made a subsection of the micro group instead of having to go from scratch through the same torturous process the micro group went through to get compensation please let me know the answers I have solid evidence to back up these claims that's that person's view I appreciate it good morning Greg my daughter has always had poor chest health due to asthma with the RSV in flu doing the round she's been very unwell and has missed a good few days at school the rules of the current virus you should be 48 hours symptom free before returning to public life yet I got a notification that I have almost reached my 20 days absenteeism from school and the school would have to notify TOOSLIP I've never heard anything as ridiculous my child is sick and also I'm obeying the government rules about this flu no wonder this country is in crisis it's in there appears to be no common sense at all anymore the one thing I would say to you obviously especially if you're a parent TOOSLIP can be kind of like a scary word don't have a great deal of time for TOOSLIP and what have you but there is a procedure in place to protect children who are off school for other reasons okay maybe there are issues going on in the house or whatever it might be so there has to be some sort of rules and regulations at what point absenteeism triggers a call from TOOSLIP I wouldn't be afraid of that phone call you just say to them precisely what you've just said to me and there should be no issue but I think if we sort of got away with some if we did away with something like that we could have a child who is being kept at home for the wrong reasons that's being abused in the house or whatever it might be they could be 20 days absent from school and if we didn't have a system that could pick that up it would be quite troubling as well so you've done nothing wrong you're offering great care for your child even if TOOSLIP speak to you I'm sure they'll go okay that's no problem we just have to routinely check to make sure that everything's okay if that makes sense am I wrong there what do you think 086 6025,000 086 6025,000 give us a call on 07491 25,000 right we're joined on the program now Professor Ken Mulpeter who's a consultant in gerryaptrix at letter kennie university hospital Professor thank you so much for your time this morning it's greatly appreciated good morning how you doing you've been expressing concern about bed shortages particularly for elderly people in nursing homes in rural areas can you explain that to us professor yeah I suppose the main thrust of my letter to the Irish Times was my concern that bigger nursing homes were being built as opposed to continuing all locally based nursing homes and this has been done both by private nursing homes and the HSE when I came here first 30 years ago there was a large number of community hospitals most of which still exist and some of these had previously been local hospitals such as Dunigal and Kern and Dunlow and my naivety I thought initially that the good things could be used as community hospitals serving people of all ages with minor illnesses but then became a part of that way they were going to be essentially gerryaptrix hospitals and this Dunigal was quite unique at that time and probably still is with a large number of small units roughly most about 40 beds around the county and some of whom the public contributed to and I thought in general throughout the country I'd like that model to be replicated there's about 11 community hospitals or nursing units in the county and then about an equivalent number of private nursing homes but in general there's tendency now for particularly in the private sector for smaller nursing homes throughout the country actually to get them to bother and that they're closing I think it's probably a combination of various things the economy itself scale and maybe having put in large costs to tie in with Hicla and maybe difficulties of getting staff in smaller areas so I think in general there seems to be a tendency to have bigger units and bigger urban areas and I suppose instinctively I'm against this idea of large 120 or 140 bed units because I think it's difficult for them to be looked at as a home when I worked in the UK when one unit I worked in they had a long stay unit they had a hall door they had to knock just to reinforce the idea that this is somebody's home and I think this is an issue both for ourselves particularly for the UK and nationwide Europe-wide how to look after or fray as the people if they require nursing home care that are nursing homes suffer from brain disease they may have dementia stroke disease, Parkinson's disease, MS and in some to some extent I suppose going to nursing home is the cost that is borne by people with neurological disease which isn't borne by people who say that we're not failure I get to have people with cancer treatment but I think we should always remember that these units are somebody's home and they're not a hospital they should be treated at the home and I thought that was the main close to what I was going to say Is this being driven by or exacerbated by seemingly a smaller amount of private operators that we are seeing more smaller privately owned places being either closed or taken over and there seems to be fewer but bigger players in this market and inverted commas and I hate to put it like that but they're not investing their money in this area to lose money it is obviously a business opportunity for them is that driving it or is that the cause of it? I think so just to to some extent I think the days of it's still present and going to go but the days of the family operation maybe are closing down there's some well-known businessmen in Ireland or what name who own large numbers of nursing homes in the UK so unfortunately to some extent in the private sector it is a business so business models apply from the point of view of how you maximize profits and minimize costs and one of the ways to do that is to have larger units and you know to be honest like this you know it's very difficult to have a home environment where there's 120 or 150 patients with most of the staff not being local people have patients having dementia so it's a very demanding like if these then from nursing homes in all but name what are we creating or what is replacing them is it obviously people are going to have it's going to be more difficult for people to visit if there's more centralization more urbanization people aren't going to be able to look out the window to their own community as much as they would have in the past but what are we creating what is it concerned with we have 120, 140, 160 units it's not a nursing home in the past as you know the county home was in the stern order in St. Joseph's okay and everybody went to the county home as was named and then with Don Lachey in charge of the Northwestern Health Board at that time then they converted some of the community hospitals into essentially nursing homes and then built nursing units in the mountains and in Bunkana and Kilibex where Kilibex came out to Don Lachey I thought that was the right way to go unfortunately there's major problems in supply of terrors both in the community and in community hospitals and sometimes for instance patients can't leave that they need to go to a community hospital because they're understaffed and not all their beds are open and I suppose looking forward in the days of full employment there's a big question mark as to who's going to look after elderly people both at home in the form of home care practice and in nursing homes and it's a very I mean it's a job that requires a degree of skill both in the home and in the hospital nursing homes the staff should be trained and should be rewarded for their work I mean a personal experience of the home care packages looking after my mother when she stayed with me and they were excellent and I think we should continue to support that unfortunately in the hospital at the moment we have patients about 20 patients at any one time who are either waiting home care packages which appears to be problematic in some specific areas within the county or for a nursing home bed and as I'm as I'm pushing on myself maybe think more about where I'm going to end up do you think though in a way I think the HSE might be quite unapologetic in saying we want these facilities closer to the hospital we've seen a system introduced recently whereby rather than someone being discharged maybe to a local area that St. Joseph's was used a step down for non-acute care there was a bit of a upset publicly about that but it was just like that's the way it has to be and what you could argue I'm sure that with proper planning we wouldn't be in this situation and that ill planning is being used to accelerate this system that we're seeing right now I mean there's no reverse in this is there I mean because as I say I don't think the HSE would apologize for what they're doing they see this as the way forward yeah well without being nasty I suppose you know there is a sense that we're kind of warehousing as the patients so and we're not the worst by a long long shot around the country because and I wonder I'm wondering years to come 20 or 30 years down the road would be having inquiries as to how we allow this to happen I mean a lot of the patients that end up in these nursing homes have dementia or you know maybe with other diseases they don't really have a say in where they're going to go I mean their families will do their best for them but sometimes the only option may be you know goods being away from where they're originally from and as the people have a long history of work and hobbies and their likes and dislikes and you know patients working in the UK or one patient who builds tunnels in Vietnam you know and they have colorful histories and sometimes that's lost where they go into an institutional setting where people don't know them personally they don't know their backstory you know and I think if people knew those stories intimately then it makes the job more interesting and that's better for the patients so the idea of kind of you know being patients being nursing a home wherever that is available it militates against that but it's not and the news I mean that we have a bigger elderly population which is in most most ways it's a good thing but obviously that's you know say the rate of dementia arises as you age and so we really think a bit more majestically likely to deal with this and I think people of all ages you know those 30 or 40 or 20 listening to us right now might think this is a problem for older people right now but as you say you believe this is going to get worse and it's very much in their interest to say well what kind of a country are we developing here how are we going to be treating our older people because you know yourself I don't know if it's casual language you're intended but you know if we talk about issues in our acute hospital services it's the older generation it's an ageing population as if in some ways if you were an older person you might feel this is your fault that you're a burden then there are other conversations happening about you know people making decisions about when they die assisted dying and things like that there I am not trying to create something that's not there but I think people of 20 30 40 50 years of age need to keep an eye on this what kind of a country are we developing here and make older people feel that they are a problem don't really prepare for their future care and then we start talking about ways in which maybe people might you know relieve the world of their burden in inverted commas a horrible way to put it but I just would have my concerns that this is where we're heading obviously with the dropping birth rates so the usual triangle you know if we use looking at the demographics of a population where the large base and then as you go up the triangle there's our there's a much smaller number of older people but that's changing now and such that it looks almost like a rectangle or a pillar and so there's a decreasing tax base funding a larger dependent population and that's a worldwide issue so they're indeed major bother as to how to look after elderly the Chinese are having second thoughts about their one child policy because again they're running into that problem and this is them all across the western world I suppose in the east and the south I suppose in Africa and Asia it's more usual for families to look after their elderly rather than put them in nursing homes but it's kind of so I know we've had a discussion these days about immigrants but most of the staff of nursing homes are immigrants and because they're isn't enough are you able to provide the care are they not interested in that sort of thing as they work choice so we really have to make both home care and nursing home care more valued and with a lot more training that's the roof that we're going to go down and also to want to throw into the teens 20s and 30 year olds now unfortunately far less likely to have their own property by the time they reach the ages that we're talking of and you have to wonder how all that care might be funded as well okay professor thank you it's food for thought and it's a problem now and a problem that's only gone to increase and we appreciate you sharing your views with us as well okay no problem take care of yourself all right thank you that's professor ken wall peter consultant in geriatrics at letter kenny university hospital he says that we have to be careful that we are not replacing nursing homes with the level of care that we kind of might be familiar with with nursing hotels or warehousing older people effectively as to say it potentially could be a problem everyone tries to live as long as they possibly can and rightly so and more so achieving that but nursing homes are being offered financial incentives to house migrants and refugees some have decided that they can't make any money they've exited it and those that accommodation is being used for migrants and refugees but he aired from professor more peter there we'd have very little staff if it wasn't for immigrants as well so we have to be balanced in our views of this stuff don't we okay next guest just before the 10 o'clock news after this break watch the show live now on youtube, facebook and at highlandradio.com the 9 till noon show is brought to you by letter 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the workplace it's widely known the customers warm to and trust employees that present themselves well have your company name and broiderage are printed on all your work uniforms contact C&M and broidery on 07491 28097 and get your staff looking their best keep out the cold cold cold and ring Fleming for their full range of garage doors, agri doors, milking parlour doors Fleming 9148234 Backstage Bar & Grill is open for breakfast lunch and dinner 7 days a week if you're looking for healthy options this January we have a great selection of delicious salad sandwiches and more call Century Complex on<PHONE_NUMBER> to book your table Dunnegall County Council is inviting the public to get involved in developing the future plans for the old courthouse in Letterkenny as an exciting tourist attraction find out more and get involved by coming along to a drop-in event in the old courthouse building on Justice Walsh Road on Wednesday 17th of January anytime between 2pm and 8pm OK we got this note in from a listener I go for a walk in Letterkenny Town Park every day there are two public toilets there are in an absolute disgrace a man went in to clean them yesterday and he had to use a power hose today they've toilet paper lying everywhere again and people have been urinating all over the seat I don't know how many times I've rang the council about them and they've never done anything about it I was wondering if you could highlight this issue they clean them once a week they used to have a toilet with a door that opened with a button that toilet hasn't been in operation for over a year they now have two portable toilets that are not fit for purpose a woman is just after opening the toilet door and she closed it again she couldn't use it the town park is a busy place with young children supposed to do if they if their child needs the toilets but also to there's an awful lot of adults who need to have access to a toilet as well as a children as well Kiva is familiar with these toilets hi Kiva thanks for taking the call are you there no I've lost Kiva so I'll go through the comments we can go back to that after 10 so we posted this on our Facebook page too to get a sense of what you're saying out there and she says I go to the town park regular the toilets haven't been in use for a long time there's a stupid portal who's sitting there which I wouldn't use it's mingin plus there's no lock on the door which is a concern Karen charged to use them and then they're locked and only if you use it you pay to use them what do you think about that pay I mean would you mind spending a penny to spend a penny if it meant that you had clean toilets or toilet than parking I'm not saying I would not be less inclined to pay for parking but you know what I mean would you be in favour of paying 50 cent or something but knowing that the toilets are clean and there's toilet paper and what have you Caitlin says I don't think paying would make a difference though because some people don't respect keeping any toilets clean whether it's public toilets or public toilets in a public house or anywhere else it's a pity because it spoils it for everyone else Eileen agrees Rachel totally agree and same goes for down at where those shops are at TK Max no toilets either but the councillors are too busy planning the big new motorway into that of Kenny to lose millions on that being said I think there are plans for toilets down there Rachel Geraldine some people should be taught how to use a toilet and how to leave it the way it should be which I think is we're kind of given up on people's responsibility to actually go to the toilet properly isn't that the case because we're talking about going into clean toilets it's because people are piddling everywhere pooing everywhere and making an absolute mess Neve says they are a disgrace I had my wee boy at the park and he needed the toilet I took him over opened the door and closed it again I took him somewhere else to go to the toilet it would have been dangerous to bring a small child in there it was covered in other people's excrement James says with respect your problem seems to be bad and you're referred to it that they're only cleaned once a week then you go on to say they were cleaned yesterday and basically unusable the next day is this the cleaner providers fault of the people that use them if they were cleaned every hour on the hour it wouldn't matter animals would be cleaner it's a sad situation to be in 2024 says Caroline all kinds of medical conditions out there now such as IBS difficulties and many more sorry divert colitis and many more that leave people unable to leave the house unacceptable in this day and age and that's also what I was pointing to that there are it is children of course that one listener mentioned but there are an awful lot of and we've spoken on this program quite extensively on it that have to plan trips based on where toilets are and where they're available and it can be really really difficult for some Monica says there might be toilets but they're not fit for purpose and wonders if people treat their own toilets the same possibly they do and says ref mudlin toilets are well kept some people have no respect for public toilets and on it goes okay if you've got to say on that 08 6 60 25,000 it is the 90 noon show we're going to take a break for the news and obituary notices and we'll be right back there after the 90 noon show is brought to you by letter Kenny credit union with monster loans available up to 60,000 euro for all occasions visit lettercannycu.ie do you suffer from high cholesterol menopause symptoms, digestive issues anxiety, aches and pains or a lack of energy the highly trained team at the natural way letter Kenny can provide advice on natural remedies for a number of individual health issues the natural way also has its own brand of herbal treatments to help fight fatigue, relieve digestive discomfort, maintain a healthy immune system and alleviate common post symptoms the natural way letter Kenny shop in center your one stop health shop archives historic buildings museum great cases it pays to be historic if your organization can contribute to Ireland's heritage you may be eligible for a heritage stewardship fund grant applications now open at heritage council.ie forward slash funding supported by the department of housing local government and heritage every year in the GAA something unique happens first class rivals suddenly become first class team mates fear center county foes turn into friends and yesterday's opponents now have each other's backs grudges set aside all of the best club and county players from every corner of this country lying out in their college or university jerseys to play together challenge together and win together it can only be the electric Ireland's Sigerson fits Gibbon and higher education championships discover comfort with eye heating and cooling your trusted heat pump engineers and Mitsubishi approved service providers in Donegal we design install and maintain cutting edge heating systems build a lasting relationship with us through annual service and comprehensive after sales support contact us for a free consultation on low cost low carbon heating solutions visit eyeheatingandcooling.ie today Hamilton is coming to the board gosh energy theater on Monday 21st of October 2024 this hugely popular musical is almost sold out but here at Highland radio we've got you covered we include luxury transfers overnight stay at the four star city north hotel Dublin your ticket to the show and a shopping trip to Dublin the next day to book simply call us on zero seven four nine one twenty five thousand or visit the outlet at highlandridio.com Highland radio weather updates brought to you by Grant building a new home choose grants a triple plus rated air to water heat pump and you flex under floor heating visit grant.ie the 90 noon show is brought to you by letter Kenny credit union with monster loans available up to sixty thousand euro for all occasions visit letterkennycu.ie hi Mark here from Highland motors at the mountain top in letter Kenny what would you look for in a car maybe a reversing camera with reversing sensors bright LED headlights or maybe you're into your tech like android auto or apple car play wireless of course if you also like great comfort and want all of this at a really good price the new Citroen C4X you addition is the car for you call into me at Highland motors at the mountain top and letter Kenny oh and that really good price twenty nine nine on the road when it comes to electrical waste recycling we're pretty good with the big items like tumble dryers fridge freezers and cookers but what about your old broken power tools and gardening equipment those drills and electric lawnmowers end up in the shed beside that damaged solar power garden gnome the good news you can recycle anything with a plug battery or cable for free and it 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local home store and more visit us online at homestoreandmore.ie new store now opening for Blackrock Dublin home store and more a happy home if you have a job to do over the weekend Watson hire have a brilliant weekend hire deal available get any item on Friday keep it until Monday and only pay for one day's hire that's three days hire on any equipment or machinery for the price of one so there's no excuse to get the job sorted to book call Watson hire in letter Kenny on nine one six double seven double seven live on air online and on the Highland Radio this is Highland Radio news good morning it's Donna Marie Doherty with the news slightly after 10 o'clock a letter Kenny councillor is calling for the inspection of fire hydrants in letter Kenny to see that they're in working order last month while responding to a house fire the Donegal fire service had to locate a second hydrant after the nearest one was unusable because it was clogged councillor Jerry McMonagle says that concerns were growing as they should be the matter of life and death serious injury people are even saving a property from extensive damage as what happened on this occasion where the house has been severely damaged thankfully everybody was out and the one was injured but you would expect that and you would expect it the ever-responsible lawyer was Jessica Aaron since he took over the water services in 2014 or indeed if it's our own fire service that there does be a regular maintenance check and ensure that all fire hydrants are working as well as they can be and if not they are fixed to high standard Counties along the west coast including Donegal are hosting a higher number of Ukrainian refugees than other areas the department of integration says over 58,500 were being provided with short-term state accommodation as of last week Sheila Nockton reports Kerry is currently hosting the highest number of Ukrainians in this state and it's estimated over 7,000 that is 12.4% of the total number accommodated across all counties this is more than Dublin which is sitting at just under the 7,000 mark figures also show Cork, Galway, Clare, Mayo and Donegal have a higher percentage portion of the overall number compared to the rest of the country that's according to the Irish independent the majority of Ukrainian refugees being housed in this short-term accommodation are under the age of 18 at over 42,000 meanwhile despite the ongoing disruption in Ukraine, 19,712 men aged between 19 and 55 have received PPS numbers from the Irish state talks at Hillsborough Castle today could be the last chance to put a stop to upcoming strike action in Northern Ireland there's a warning that the North will come to a standstill on Thursday as tens of thousands of public sector workers walk out to demand better pay the British government is withholding money to help resolve the dispute boycott and power sharing returns Alan Perry is the senior organiser for the GMB one of the 15 unions involved in the walk out I think it's like anything we remain hopeful I mean ultimately that's going to be a political decision whether the parties can get an agreement but certainly we would be asking that we get back to normality as soon as possible but ultimately if it doesn't there is the potential for further action down the line if a sheep is on its back it is stuck and will die without intervention that's the warning being issued by the Kehirlich of Glenty's municipal district councillor Michael McClaffery is asking those who come across a cast sheep to act fast he says they can become victim to birds in this condition and do not have a great deal of time before it comes fatal it is of particular concern at this time of year as many sheep will be ready to lamb councillor McClaffery says it comes at a cost to farmers the farming life is no different to any other farm business everything is so expensive people farmers cannot afford cannot afford to house any livestock so that's just what I'm putting the out this morning and it's just to make people out here if they do happen to see a sheep when they're out walking or indeed either stuck either in a fence either it's hard to keep around here it can be a time of stuck in a fence as well but they're out through the fence it's just to let somebody know A Donegal project has been highlighted in a special heritage council publication to mark 25 years since the heritage was founded opening the door to Ireland's heritage details one key project from each local authority over the last three years to convey the work which has been done to protect Irish heritage the Bally Shannon Historic Towns initiative is featured the project seen the conservation of the town's most historic buildings that needed preservation work and looking now to the weather forecast frost and ice this morning slow to clear and lingering in some sheltered areas through the day rain along with well-scattered showers of rain, sleet and snow that's with highest temperatures of 2 to 4 degrees in mostly moderate north-west winds which will be fresh at first that's all for now from Hidden Radio News back again at 11 o'clock till then good morning the obituary notices this Monday morning January 15th the death has taken place of Margaret Doherty Paddymore Middletown Malin Head removal from Kelly's funeral premises today at 2 o'clock going to her late residence funeral leaving there on Wednesday at half past 10 going to the Star of the Sea Church Malin Head for Rayquian Mass at 11am and term it afterwards in like Cemetery Malin family time please from 10pm to 11am and family flowers only the death has occurred of John Quinn Conlin Road Kelly Beggs reposing at his late residence today from 11am to 9pm removal tomorrow morning at half past 10 to St Mary of the Visitation Church Kelly Beggs for 11am funeral mass burial afterwards in the local cemetery mass will be streamed on MCN media the death has taken place of Anne Hutton of Ella Begg Bridgend Anne will be reposing at the family home in Ella Begg Bridgend family time please from 10pm to 11am funeral leaving the family home on Wednesday at quarter past 11 to St Patrick's Church Pennyburn for Rayquian Mass at 12 noon and term it afterwards in St Murris Cemetery Fawn family flowers only please donations in lieu if wished to the Foyle Hospice the death has taken place of Robert Moore Omricam Bally Heron Fannard Robert's funeral service will be held at Christ the Redeemer Church in Rossnick Hill Fannard at 1pm tomorrow followed by burial in the adjoining graveyard house strictly private family flowers only please the death has occurred of Paul McGown 7 Admiral and Perkstra Norler Paul's remains will be reposing at his late residence 7 Admiral and Perkstra Norler today from 12 midday until Rosary at 9pm house private on the morning of the funeral to family and neighbours please mass of the resurrection at 11am tomorrow at Church of Mary Immaculate St Norler and burial afterwards at Doe Cemetery St Norler flowers welcome donations in lieu if desired to the Irish Cancer Society Donegal Branch care of any family member or McGown funeral home Drumbo Avenue St Norler the Rayquian Mass will be streamed live via the parish webcam the death has taken place of Annie Green Ne O'Donnell Huey Pat Cull Bay Ray Wrath Mullin formerly Dunluwe remains reposing at St Joseph's Church Wrath Mullin funeral mass this morning at 11am burial afterwards in Wrath Mullin Cemetery funeral mass can be viewed on MCN media the death has occurred of Henry Farrelly 16 Castle Avenue Boncranagh Henry's remains are reposing at his home funeral tomorrow leaving at 10am going to St Mary's Church Cock Hill Boncranagh for 11am Rayquian Mass family time from 10pm to 11am funeral can be viewed on ChurchServices.tv the death has occurred of Myra O'Reilly knee Nocton Denore Glencar Irish letter Kenny formerly of Kilkenny funeral from her late residence going to St Union's Cathedral for 11am Rayquian Mass which can be viewed live on ChurchServices followed by interment in Newlake Cemetery family time please this morning family flowers only please donations if wished to the Donegal Hospice Care of Pasco Blake funeral director for family information and more details regarding wakes and funerals please go to HighlandRadio.com For when a right turn becomes a wrong turn get car insurance you can be confident in with onpust insurance go to onpustinsurance.ie or call us today acceptance criteria terms and conditions apply One Direct Ireland Limited trading as onpust insurance is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland One Direct Ireland Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of onpust and now in Rose 2023 best local original news program The Voice of the Northwest the 9 till noon show with Greg Hughes Okay you're very welcome back to the second hour of the show good morning if you've just joined us and a good morning to Marie, Kate, Bernie, Kathy Dolores, Dahi, Darren, Michael, Neil, Philomena, Pedro and who else we have Philomena and many of you watching the show online appreciate it we're on YouTube Highland Radio Ireland. My mom is in hospital and has dementia and is waiting to be transferred to a nursing home but because there are no beds available she remains in hospital taking up a medical bed which is a worry. Hi I'm in America right now and I just had to call in they do the same do the same as the USA keep the elderly in the elderly person's home as long as possible the immigrants coming in should come and care for the elderly as they do in America Ireland is giving immigrants a lot of benefits without working for it it's a win-win with the system in America any further experience of that to 086625 thousand from outside the Republic of course<PHONE_NUMBER> thousand could they not put more money into the hospital instead of putting 15 million euro into Eregal College there's nothing wrong with the Eregal College and the hospital badly needs money put into it the money's there for the hospital as well if they want to it's not like again and I'm sorry to repeat myself because I understand where you're coming from and your view but not putting the money into Eregal it doesn't mean it goes into into Eregal College it doesn't mean it goes into the hospital it doesn't work like that there's a hospital budget the money is there and if someone has the will to invest more they and the government would say they are it's not dependent on whether or not money is spent on Eregal College if that makes sense. Founded bingo cancelled tonight because of the weather thanks very much says someone involved in the organisation of that so if you're planning to go to found a bingo tonight I'm told it is cancelled hi Greg you have to pay in the Netherlands toilets are very clean exactly I mean I wonder is that the way it's going should we pay to go to the toilet if it means and there would have to be sort of like a contract with us that if we did pay that the toilets would always be up to an acceptable standard why are the public toilets public toilets never kept clean it's an ongoing problem I remember years ago when the public toilets in Bancrana were below the courthouse they were dreadful and as young ones we used to run past as the smell was horrible but I was stopped one time by a tourist asking where the toilets were and after I pointed them out I ran as fast as I could up the street and as I didn't want to meet the people coming out it was embarrassing years ago but I never forget waking up and I never forgot waking up cancelled Donegal is the most deprived county in Ireland yet we have the largest percentage of refugees and asylum seekers says a listener Greg illegal immigrants and Ukrainians are looked after before the Irish people but media and politicians the only ones that want them well I pass on necessarily legal immigrants as you frame them there but are they looked after before the Irish that's that listeners view the media wanting them I don't know I sit here and I read views from people who if you're including us read views from people that are very much in favour of of people coming to the country that they believe it's very important and necessary and a duty and then others that are dead against it so the public are clever the listeners you the listeners are clever you don't need me to try and neither would I want to influence people's views one way or another you have your own views I was in the ED the other day and it happened like every non-national person was seen before anyone else is this a thing or was it a coincidence there's a criteria as to how people are seeing it's based on need sort of not colour or race or nationality or religion older people always cared for in their own homes they want to collect them from the hospital now they won't collect them from the hospital now unless they have sight of the will why has the unit in Balashana not opened how many millions of euro did it cost and it's sitting empty with all the lights and presumably heating on I thought that was occupied already I'll check into that while on the topic of fire safety can you as councillor mcmonagall ask councillor mcmonagall how the two large buildings which were previously condemned and stopped from being used as stupid accommodation in that we can't eat you to a lack of fire exits and are deemed acceptable to house asylum seekers I'm not sure of the buildings that you talk of but that's that listeners point of view what's the cap on Ukrainians and international protection applicants we're on 1% now in Donegal but will that number just continue to rise when does the government say that we are unable to house anymore well there was a stop put on people being moved to Donegal for a time at least because not in terms of the services that are available I'm not sure if that decision has been reversed or if people are still coming in or being moved within the county I'm really not quite sure I think that not a cap on numbers but it certainly appeared to have been a cap placed on people coming here based on the ability of the services to cope with the increased population that happened there's an awful lot of people here now percentage wise it's relatively low but I've not heard of any recently any moved people here but as I say I'm open to correction I'm just I don't hear everything okay just take a break for the bingo numbers we'll be back with our next guest after these two twenty five twenty three eighty thirty four eighty one and finally thirty eight phone your claim tonight one zero four eight double three before eight tonight leave your name contact number and the name of the shop where you purchased your book and we'll call you back the next working day get all your vision Ireland bingo information at highlandradio.com see you for full terms and conditions Harkin Fireplaces and Lifford is lighting up the new year with their massive January yard sale discover an impressive selection of fireplaces stoves electric fires gas fires and elegant kitchen work tops all on sale don't miss out on your perfect fireplace or kitchen work top at an unbelievable price Harkin Fireplaces massive yard sale is now on hi folks, Paul McDevitt here inviting to join myself and Jimmy Stafford tonight for another edition of the Monday Night Sessions our first studio guest of twenty twenty four is the brilliant singer songwriter, Deidre McLaughlin one of Ireland's best fiddle players Matt McGrathen will also be dropping by for a chat on a few tunes and we also give a massive welcome to local band White Rose so that's the Monday Night Sessions this Monday night between 7pm and 10pm right here on Highland Radio guest approval, apply online at letterkennycu.ie or in office today okay we were talking about the public toilets in Letterkenny's town park hi Greg, if toilets are going to be paid for they'd need to be set up for contactless etc nowadays as well there'd be nothing worse than not having any coins when nature calls well I think us the public expect everything but if no care for anything yeah charge for using toilets that'll make people respect public toilets okay as I say I'm waiting for it I'm just wondering is it possibly the future that being said if it were the case then we'd need an acceptable standard for our cost Kiva what's your experience of using the toilets in the Letterkenny town park good morning to you morning Greg it was terrible I was at an apartment in St. Carnels and I had left and I needed to go to the toilet and I went round and I opened the door and nothing prepared me for the smell that hit me and I looked at the toilet and I quickly closed the door again it was awful I mean like we're talking body waste in there yes all for the toilet nobody could use definitely it was not set for purpose last Monday anyway I mean I know obviously you had to turn on your heel and get out of there as quick as possible but like do you get the impression that there was one person that was responsible of multiple people well I don't know but there definitely probably wasn't one person but I mean it could have happened at any stage over the weekend do you know what I mean yeah and then I just got back into the car and I drove home I just had to take it home to use the toilet Kiva what do you think stops people or why do people not use the toilet correctly there is space in the toilet that you're supposed to use if you know what I mean like what's going on that people aren't using the toilets right I don't know definitely it didn't to me personally looking at that toilet I thought was that a human that actually done that you know what I mean it was terrible the way it was done and everything it was just awful to look at whenever you open the door the smell just hits you and I quickly closed the door because I thought I was going to be sick do you think someone is deliberately doing stuff like that like they get some kickoff it or whatever like maybe somebody did do it deliberately but you know if they didn't you know they should have tried to clean it up as best that they could afterwards you know because if somebody was using the toilet you would expect them to clean it if they think you're needed or anything like that you know well I would anyway if I was in that position I wouldn't leave a toilet like that I don't think you'd have a risk opening that door again would you no I would never go back there I would have to you know whenever I'm out in public if I have to go somewhere I have to plan make sure that I have access to a toilet and that day I just did not have access to the toilet and I thought to myself this will I make it you know because I have 20 minutes outside later shouldn't I yeah okay keep a listen sorry about that you had to go through that I appreciate I appreciate you taking the call there Greg I have to pay every time sorry that's on something different I wanted to quit the toilets here we were talking about blood tests I come back to the toilets we were talking about blood tests last week and people saying they had to pay and don't have to pay I think if you're just notifying us of your experience just if you could mention whether or not you're a a GP visit card or a medical card holder but it says here this listener Greg I have to pay every time I get blood tests and then for a veneration and phlebotomy similar to blood donation as I have hemacromatosis it's an iron overload which is a long-term condition as a taxpayer get nothing free thanks to this great government yeah so you'll never be entitled to free blood tests but if you do have if you do have a medical card or a GP visit card the only way your blood tests are free according to the information available the only way your blood tests are free is under the GP chronic disease management program they're covered by the fees paid to GPs by the HSE for this care so if it is routine stuff if it is just to see what your iron levels are like I don't believe them to be free it depends on the GP's practice the GP's only and the HSE had to refund an awful lot of money because people were being charged incorrectly if it's for chronic disease management or the chronic disease management program then your blood tests should be free with the visitor GP card or the GP visit card or your medical card elsewhere it's a private if you don't have a medical card or a GP visit card it's a private transaction between you and the GP could you get someone on from the HSE to clarify for paying for bloods even if you have a medical card my wee boy is a medical card and we had to pay 20 euro for bloods still what does the medical card actually cover does the HSE initiate the cost of bloods or is it the doctor's surgery so there's a range I think 20 to 50 euro it can be but unless your son unless I'm reading the information incorrectly unless he's part of the chronic disease management program he's not covered so if you're unwell you visit the doctor any necessary blood tests are free with the doctor so it has to be necessary there's different information out there actually I'm going to have to double check all that but I'm taking this from the HSE's I'm not taking this from the HSE's own website right okay so let's go through this three medical services with a medical card or GP visit card it's not really quite clear there either blood tests to diagnose or monitor a condition they're both free with a medical card or a GP visit card so blood tests to diagnose or monitor a condition so that's when your medical card or GP visit card should cover those costs which actually probably covers quite a range of things that's according to the citizens advice citizens advice right okay we are speaking now to a good Samaritan in Roshin hi Roshin good morning Craig how are you? I'm doing good how are you keeping Roshin? I'm not doing so bad Craig Roshin perfect so Roshin you were out and about just before the weekend or at the weekend depending on how you count it on Friday and what happened what did you come across? I found a substantial amount of money kind of coming out of the Latter County shopping centre it happened at 2 o'clock so at lunchtime on Friday Craig and was it loose in an envelope or it was actually loose so it was the money was loose and all together kind of so it wasn't on a wallet or anything like that but it was loose yeah so who do you think might own is it does it look like it may have just been taken out of a cash machine or maybe someone was going shopping or maybe someone collected a pension or something along those lines do you have your suspicions? yeah that is my feeling I have a feeling that it could have been someone maybe at the cash point because it wasn't too far away from there it could be an elderly person that has lifted their pension quite possibly so I really want to get in touch with the person that owns it and get it back two weeks after Christmas Craig because it's important to me that they get it back fair play to you and hopefully the person who lost that is listening we want to triage it too we're not going to give you a number out but I mean we don't want someone ringing up and guessing figures either if you know what I mean so how are you going to identify we'll help in that regard in terms of passing details on Roshin but obviously the person you would hope they would know how much that they lost exactly exactly that's kind of what my hope would be that they're not going to guess but they would definitely put the correct figure on it yeah that would be ideal really so we'll have your details here obviously and well you've made those arrangements with Caroline how you want that to work Roshin but if you were out and about in Letrakenny in the vicinity of the Letrakenny shopping centre on Friday a good Samaritan here Roshin found a significant sum of money given that it's pension day or things are typed for everyone at this time Roshin wants to get it back to its rightful owner so Roshin we've put the message out there we'll see what happens and as you say hopefully we can get it back to the person that wants the person that needs it sorry that's their money is that okay Roshin anything you want to add alright okay take care lovely stuff contact us here in 07491 25,000 is there any update on the road from Mina Roy to Dunlow is it passable I didn't hear about that road this morning so I don't know what the story is I think and I'm obviously not right across the region I think we're going to get the worst of the snow over the next few days so we're probably going to wake up overnight to some snow in some places we've got Alan O'Reilly from Carl O'Weather who's been tracking these weather fronts these weather systems he's going to be coming on with us a little later on to tell us exactly what we can expect tonight and to tomorrow Wednesday Thursday I think it's going to be pretty cold as we head towards the weekend but if there is a snowfall we're going to find out what levels of snowfall is going to be high level, low level what the amounts are likely to be so stay tuned for that if you're interested in finding out what the snowfall levels if any and I'm sure there's going to be some is going to be over the next wee while and just to remind you in terms of that money obviously it's on the right floor if you want to contact us<PHONE_NUMBER> right let's take a break as we line up our next guest watch the show live now on YouTube, Facebook and at highlandradio.com we provide courses including first aid, road works people moving and handling confined spaces, electrophusion and machinery training for Ireland and UK sites also online programs such as water hygiene, construction supervisors, safety reps and much more if you have a group for training safe tech will go to you contact safetech today at safetech.ie and take the first safety compliance Is that the new Opel? Yes, of course Does it really look that good? Yes, of course Is it fun to drive? Yes, of course Is it packed with smart tech? Yes, of course Can I test drive it right now at Manor Motors Opel? Yes, of course The new Opel Corsa now available hybrid and electric coming soon on YouTube and watch the show live on Sunday for details come along to the 2024 Clannery Hotel wedding fair on Sunday the 21st of January plan your dream wedding with us this Sunday 21st from 1 to 5pm with suppliers and attendants the Clannery Hotel wedding fair the Northwest Leading wedding venue A new year, a new floor At FloorIt we offer quality solid semi-solid and laminate click final wood flooring together with Call in today and see for yourself the fantastic offers available this January. Call Florid today on<PHONE_NUMBER>8 or visit florid.ie. Find a Volkswagen commercial vehicle that can keep up with you and your business. Like our Caddy Cargo, Transporter 6.1, Crafter and the new Amarok. With HP Finance from 2.9% and Service Plans from 12 euro 99 per month. There's never been a better time to get a vehicle that works as hard as you do. Book your test drive now at your local Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles dealer or visit Volkswagen Vans.ie. Here's to the Volkswagen in you. Terms and conditions apply. Finance provided by way of higher purchase agreement from Volkswagen Financial Services Ireland and subject to lending criteria. Volkswagen Financial Services Ireland Limited is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. Visit Volkswagen Vans.ie for further information. Contact Connelly's Volkswagen commercials in letter Kenny today. Visit Connelly's.ie. OK, we're joined on the programme now by Kleena. Good morning to you. How are you getting on? I'm not too bad, Greg. Lovely to be here. It's great to have you in studio. OK, we're talking about the registry office in letter Kenny now. It's obviously for a personal reason that you took an interest in this office in the first place. So take us through the story. So, myself and Andrew have been together 26 years and we never took the plunge. We were living over in the UK and we got back there, I bet, just over a year ago and just over the course of last summer chatting to friends and family and all that kind of stuff and decided, you know what, you know, kind of, why not? So... Do you want an answer to that? Well, actually, the longer it takes to plan and get things together, the more I'm kind of thinking, you know what? That was a rhetorical statement. Absolutely, absolutely, absolutely. So now, yeah, I... No, you took the decision. We did. And what months did you say? So in November of last year, before Christmas, we decided, you know what, let's just do it and we'll have a low-key event and, you know, that kind of thing. And, you know, you know, that there is that, you know, old joke of people getting married for tax reasons and for, you know, pension reasons and that kind of thing and we're not getting any younger and all that kind of stuff. So, of course, love is involved, of course. So in November of last year, I rang the registry office in Lettuce, Kenny and spoke to lovely girls there who told me that, Norma, you only have to give three months notice to book an appointment to register your, you know, want to marry. So they suggested that I ring back in the new year because they were still dealing with paperwork and all that kind of stuff, leaving for 2023. So I thought, absolutely no problem at all. So, rang there last week with the idea of booking our appointment. We had a date in mind and that kind of thing. We want to get married in the garden, but obviously you can't do that at a weekend and then, so we were thinking we might move it to a Friday event that the registrar could come and visit us in the garden and we'd have just a marquee and that kind of thing, a low-key close friends and family around. And this happens at the registry office. Do they have spaces for that? So, yes, they're meant to. So when I rang last week, I was informed immediately that they were not taking any bookings for this entire year that they were full to which I replied, no, sorry. I was talking to you in November and I was told to ring back in January to book an appointment. I'm not sure what's going on here.  So, unfortunately, due to staff, you know, lack of staff and numbers being low, that they couldn't facilitate any more weddings or any more bookings for registrars to come out on-site, just to clarify. So it was to do the embargo on the HSE.  So immediately I went to look to see what this embargo was all about. So having read through everybody's all, you know, all the different representatives of government and TDs and all the kind of stuff on their spin on it, that it wasn't just the registry office, but the entire HSE has this embargo on it. So as far as I'm aware, it was meant to be lifted on the 31st of December, but obviously only three weeks into January, so the backlog and everything else, there's obviously meetings about meetings about meetings and I'm not sure whether this thing is being extended. So I know that my little kind of plight of trying to book my wedding bleeds into insignificance, slightly in comparison to all these other people who are in a situation whereby they can't get appointments. There are some derogations for frontline staff. Absolutely. I don't think really what they... Yeah, and students. Exactly. So, sorry, Kleenea, because it's actually quite educational at the same time, too. Other options, like in other words, you want to just literally go and sign paperwork. Yes. You couldn't do that this year at all. So no. So that's where the clarification comes in. So there is another registry office in Stranoller, and I spoke to, again, lovely girls over there, because that's who I was kind of passed over to have a chat with them to see if the date... I suppose our problem is that we have a date in mind and, you know yourself, when you're sending out invitations and you're trying to book other things around the event, that you have to start doing it well in advance. Now, we're probably quite late to the show, to be honest, when we're trying to book things at this late stage. A lot of people have things booked to, like a year, two years in advance. But we had certain things in place, and we had a date in mind, and we've kind of put out that save-the-date. So for me, that date was non-negotiable unless I change everything around it, because this was not meant to be a problem, you know? And I think, too, another thing that I've learned, too, I mean, I know both deaths and marriages are always grouped, those three words that follow each other, but I didn't imagine the same stuff of dealing with both deaths and marriages, and actually, you know, officiating at, or, you know, making marriages official, I didn't actually see it never really... The connection and that it was the same place. And where the priorities might lie within that. Exactly. If you know what I mean. Yeah, exactly. Well, I mean, the girls in Starnola were great, and they, I mean, I can't... I suppose it's human nature, isn't it, to give out to the people who are there, because they're the only ones that... They're the face. They're the face. Exactly, and they're the only ones that you get to actually physically talk to. But they were fantastic, and they were very reassuring. So, you know, so I... The dates that we were looking at, unfortunately, they're fully booked on that date. But there is a provision for being put down on that, that if the couples that are coming to them on that particular date might change their mind... That's all right for a driving test or something, but you don't want to be... You know what I mean? You don't want to be planning... I don't want to be sending in invitations with TBC, written on them, you know, so... Probably. Exactly, it might happen on this date, but we'll sure we'll let you know closer to the time. So, that's kind of where we're at the moment. Are there alternatives to... Obviously, there's the church weddings, chapel weddings, whatever way they're phrased. We have the register office. Now, I've attended weddings whereby it's in a hotel with a celebrant, OK? Yes. Does that replace going to the registry office, where you still have to go to the registry office to legalise the marriage or I don't understand how that works? No. There are different types of celebrants that can legally marry you. Yes. There are solemnisers, and then there's the humanist celebrant, and more and more of them are starting to be able to do your legal paperwork. OK. So, they would send off to the registry office for the relevant forms.  And that's that done, then? OK, I get you, right? That's done. The only problem is, because we haven't and hadn't looked at booking a place, the date that we're looking at is a very popular date. So, we've looked at all the hotels around, because, again, we're thinking, oh, my goodness, plan B, maybe we'll end up having to do it. I didn't want to do it in a hotel. I didn't want that big hoo-ha. So, most of the hotels around us are booked for those dates. So, that's square one, again, of, do we move it forward? Do we move it back? So, that's where I'm at at the moment, is trying to figure out, you know, what's the most important thing here? It's not the registry office, it's the event. It's having our friends and family around. Not being funny, but the registry office is just a piece of paper. So, we could potentially have our celebrant in the garden on the weekend day that we want, and then go to the registry office. Your garden, sorry, when you say in the garden, do you mean your garden? We're having it in our garden. So, we can have, you know, a non-religious ceremony in the garden and then go and do the paperwork afterwards. So, I mean, so then obviously, it would seem that the most likely solution this would be a celebrant, but I presume that's not cheap either. No, it's not. And then there's an availability issue as well. Oh, my goodness. I mean, I... Do you need a celebrant that can actually do the paperwork? Absolutely, absolutely. But they, again, the celebrants that we are looking at are coming from a distance. Mm-hmm. Therefore, not... The norm for a celebrant to come without accommodation and travel is between five and 600 euro. Oh, OK. Right? The ceremonies last anything from 10 minutes. Some people can do a full ceremony up to 40 minutes. Some people will provide a 55 minute. So, that is what you're looking at. They charge 100 euro then for your travel, for their travel. And if they're coming from afar, now most of the celebrants we've looked at are either in Clare or Lyre. Exactly. So, this low-key... I know it sounds maybe a bit, you know, petty, but it was meant to be just something very personal and low-key that is turning into a bit of a monster. Exactly. Yeah. You're sort of being...  Avoid, exactly. You wanted something simple, low-key, as you mentioned. I use want. I suppose you've been together for a certain amount of time. We feel like we know each other well enough. You've decided what boxes have been ticked. So, but as you've pursued it, yes, it might be possible, but it's like you're being... The world is pointing you towards the wedding that you didn't want. Exactly, exactly.  I mean, I remember working on a programme years and years ago about alternative weddings. And I remember thinking to myself, I'm definitely not going down this route, or this is ridiculous. And your brain seems to kind of forget, doesn't it, as you get older? Yeah, and now you're going to be swapping sand and you're gone. Exactly. And I'd be dipping the sword into the chalice and, yes, there'll be a hand-fasting and all that kind of stuff. But, yeah. I mean, we'll get there. We'll get there. It's... I think the big story here is that the... And really why you've spoken to us and we've kind of talked about the complications to some extent of just trying to get over the line, is the fact that there's no availability in the register office for a year, letter Kenny, on any date. I think, from my point of view, it's a case of I could not fathom how the HSE can stand by this embargo, you know, when the crisis that is evolving in this country in relation to health and services is crumbling.  And their staff as well have to deal with all of this. And their poor staff, these poor people who are trying to make pieces of themselves to make up for, to do the job of five people. You've got two people. Did you ever consider looking abroad? No. That's that. The reason why... Like, I don't even know. Maybe you still need to go to the register. I don't know how it all works. No, no, no.  I mean, there are certain countries within the EU I think where you can't. I mean, if I got married in the north, it wouldn't be, you know, wouldn't be viable in the south. Obviously because of Brexit. Right. But I think within the EU you can get married, but you still have to do the register. I mean, you still want to get married here. Yeah.  And the people that I want coming aren't in there, you know, would be, you know, kind of the elderly or, you know, that kind of way. So I don't want them having to worry about not being able to come. Right. OK. Well, it's an interesting one. I hope everything works out for you. Well, thanks. I mean, obviously in terms of the strannolar option, the earlier you get... I mean, how often do people cancel? I don't know. Yeah, that's it exactly. I mean, I have provisionally kind of put the date down. I've said, look, I'm going to stick my name on that date anyway and we'll see over the next few weeks. I'm going to have to pull the plug on it and see how we go. But yeah. All right, good stuff. Thank you, Greg. Whatever happens, whatever happens, I'm sure you will continue to be very happy. Absolutely. Together. Thank you very much, Kleene. Thank you, Greg. Back with more after the break. iMotors are your main Nissan dealership in the Northwest, a trusted Japanese brand for generations. Contact iMotors to find out why people who make the move to Nissan never change. To check out our two-for-one offers, visit iMotors.ie. One Euro 5 cent and freshly frozen mixed berries, only 2 Euro. All from the Dunstores range. Make four servings for just one Euro, 6 cent each. Download the app now and get a 5 off 25 welcome voucher. Dunstores. Always better value. Terms and conditions apply, voucher can be used in Exgrosy Shop of 25 Euro or more. It's the right price tiles on wood flooring, half-price sale.  Wood flooring, bathware, cladding, everything's reduced. Tiles from only 8.99 per square yard and wood flooring from only 11.99 per square yard. 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And it's available in five or seven seats.  The all-new Nissan X-Trail with e-power. Drive it to believe it. Book your test drive today at your local Nissan dealer. Nissan. Innovation that excites. Visit Grant.ie. OK, taking a look at the weather forecast. And I said earlier on, we'll give you a detailed look at the weather forecast a little later on. But just for today, more immediately. Frost nights this morning, slow to clear, lingering in some sheltered areas through the day. Otherwise, there'll be spills of winter sunshine along with well-scattered showers of rain sleet and, indeed, snow. Highs temperatures of two to four degrees, winds mostly moderate. We'll tell you what the weather's going to be for tonight in the next couple of days a little later on. Thanks to the listeners to Highland Radio and other media outlets across the Northwest will be familiar with the VRT Controversy. Ryan Stewart's a campaigner on VRT. It would have been a voice very, very familiar to a lot of people on this issue. Good morning to you, Ryan. Thanks for joining us. Morning, Greg. I always found the whole issue really quite complex. So I suppose in as simple terms as is possible, and that's not always possible, Ryan, can you give us the background to this controversy?  But the reason I'm on today is regarding the findings of the Taxi Pays Commission. Now, this is potentially a very explosive story in that the Taxi Pays Commission have found a revenue have actually admitted that they've been using the wrong tests in cases where people were entitled to bring a car from the UK and tired and free of charge under transfer of residence, and it also would affect temporary exemption rules as well. So the admission by revenue that they've used this test in a number of cases, the question is, is it just a few cases? Is it widespread? And from my own experience, going back 15 years, dealing with VRT and revenue, I know that it's not a small select number of cases. Just to sort of simplify this, the test that we're talking about is the test regarding your tax residency, your tax domicile.  You can bring that in free of charge as long as you've owned the car for six months and you were over a year living away from home. So the test, and this isn't just a VRT test, this is a test that's applied to anybody, high earners, even the likes of Bono, you know the crack, but staying so long in a particular country and then moving away to establish a tax domicile somewhere else. So basically the first test is, have you lived there for 185 days of the year abroad? If that's a yes, the box is ticked. And on you go, your tax residency has been confirmed. If there's an issue with it, the next step is they do a two year look back and go, well, if you were there 280 days, box ticked. But where revenue have gone is instead of stopping at the first tick box, they've gone and looking for personal ties, looking for other facts and material that they can use to effectively deny people those rights or transfer of residency. And in any way, caught up with convoluted or tied in with people claiming a residency in Derry, for an example, and driving a Northern Regist vehicle in the Republic, or is that something completely different? Not quite the same. Where you would have, I know where you're coming from, that's where people might have an Northern license, even though they live here and they say, no, I live in Derry, et cetera, et cetera. But I mean, for customs, it's pretty easy for them to find out if you are here. Because all they have to do is look at your driver's license, check your surname, check your date of birth, and I'll look on the PPS number. So that's not the same thing. Where what we're talking about here, the Tax Appeals Commission was, it was an appeal that was lodged by a doctor, Anya Mitchell, who had moved back at the start of the COVID pandemic. She'd been living in England for a couple of years. She came back to work as a doctor in Sligo. And basically, she was refused on a number of different grounds. If you actually saw the decision, revenue chopped and changed the reasons why they refused to allow the exemption.  Register the car here, pay the money. But Dr Mitchell, she took it further. And she went, she paid the VRT, then appealed it to the Tax Appeals Commission, and set it all the grounds why. And it became very clear very quickly that revenue had convoluted the rules. They were basically using the wrong test to deny her. And was this, in the majority of cases, obviously people, you know, might have to pay fines or pay VRT that they didn't really actually have to pay. Would there be a big group of people as well who were accused of this at the roadside and said, you know, if you don't pay these fines, we're going to seize your vehicle. And then people in the face would go, wow, OK, I'm worried about this, I better do that. And then having, because it's really quite complex, then having to go on and clarify the situation, you're like, there's a whole cohort of people that could have been caught up in this at the hire and what some would say is the lower scale. Yeah, you see, there's a couple of different facets here. What you're talking about there is season release, if you're stopped at the roadside, they say, OK, we believe that your state resident is in possession of a foreign-raised vehicle. What they should be doing in the first instance is issue a warning. We know that they don't do that all the time, especially if they have observed the car a few times. So what they say is, OK, we're seizing your vehicle, you can pay a release fee, which is up to 10% of the value of the vehicle, and then you have to pay the VRT. It's a slightly different thing, but at the same time, if you claim an exemption, if you claim that, actually, I'm just back from England and I'm waiting to clear this car in, the same thing could happen. They could seize the car, add the penalties on, and then you still have to go through the entire appeals process, which is very convoluted. There's a number of steps to it. The first step is you're basically asking the officer to seize the vehicle to make a determination that we're wrong, which just doesn't happen really. You can present additional evidence. It doesn't always work. And then you have to go through an external panel of the Tax Appeals Commission, which is a long process as well. And is this still the situation? There's other charges and all that are in. And I don't want to confuse important cars or not important cars when you should with this system that you're talking of about moving back to the country. I mean, like, is it as clear as it sounds? Because how many people are actually moving vehicles from the UK or Europe and getting stung this way? I mean, is it a big number or are other people getting caught in it? Do you get where I'm coming from, Ryan? I don't know anyone in my life who's ever moved back here and took a vehicle in. Do you get me? So I don't want to get a sense of scale. Well, I mean, I'm only talking from my experience in Donegal and certain areas around the border where people would have contacted me for advice and whatever on this. I mean, country-wide, yeah. You know, there's people moving forward and back from the UK all the time. I would say predominantly more than Dublin, just population-wise and all the rest. But it's not just the case of... Does it get complicated when people sort of have to prove that their actual residency was outside of Ireland, because maybe this vehicle was being driven when they were returning home every other week to visit family or something? Do you know what I mean? Is that where some of this is getting the complicated as well? Because people are having to prove that, yeah, I've been back in Ireland to visit my family, but I actually live in England for an example. Yeah. I mean, the Tax Appeals Commission, what their findings were is that the level of detail that customs sought from people who were trying to bring these vehicles in was basically an invasion of privacy. I mean, they're looking for bank statements to see where you shop, where you go, where your friends are, et cetera. But this is the point, is that they should never be looking for that information. Okay. They should not have spied the test in the first place. And it's being established that there's a potential abuse of prosecution process. They need to investigate how many abuses of this process took place, what's gonna happen to those people. A proper Ombudsman's investigation would be welcomed as well, because some people are sort of saying, you know, we're seeing what's unfolding in Britain with the post office scandal. Maybe it's not on the same scale. Maybe it's is. But is there sort of a similar scale of scandal in this country as well, where people are criminalized incorrectly and can't take on the system and are effectively having to walk around as criminals and inverted commas when there was an abuse of prosecution process? Yeah, you see, the thing about it is with the horizon scandal and the post office in the UK, the post office like revenue are basically a state body and the rare occurrence are able to actually initiate their own prosecution proceedings against individuals. Now, when I say that, yes, if somebody has taken to court, that was through the DPP, but at the roadside where they are basically judged during an executioner to say, we believe and you have to pay a fine or we're taking your car away. Which is exactly what happened to postmasters, postmasters taken into a room and said, look, you're the only person that's at this crack. We can make it go away. All right, listen, Ryan, we'll stay on top of this story with you if that's okay. We do appreciate your time this morning. Have a great day, okay? Thank you very much indeed. Ryan Stewart, their VRT campaigner. News on the way. Hello, you're through to Emily. Hello, I'd like to organize my brown bin service, please. No problem. What's your address? You know the lane just after Cardi Park? Yeah, about five miles down that. Sure. From January 2024, every household in Ireland will be entitled to a brown bin service. Wherever you live, you can organize yours by contacting your current waste collector. Visit mywaste.ie to learn more because you're never too remote to recycle. Brought to you by the Government of Ireland. Hi there, can I help you? You're looking for something for the garden. Well, I want to plant from it. What she wants is a nice, laylandy hedge, am I right? No, what? And a lovely big hot tub.   Uh, do I know you? That's our new trainee. He's very keen. Make sure you're registered to vote. Go to checktheregister.ie and be a voter so that it's your voice that's heard. Ireland's Independent Electrical Commission. And would you like that for delivery? Yeah, apartment three sixth floor. Well, you're going to need a crane for those lions then. Are you a car mechanic interested in learning about electric vehicles? Northwest Regional College is delivering a 15-week course which will provide learners with the Level 4 UK or Level 6 Irish Electric Vehicle Qualification. This cross-border program is funded by the Department for the Economy in partnership with ATU, NWRC and the Northwest Territory Education Cluster. Applications close on the 19th of January at noon. Visit nwrc.ac.uk to find out more. If you've been bereaved by suicide or know someone who has, HUG is the National Suicide Bereavement Charity. Join us on Saturday the 20th of January for a free information event in the Innisfone Gateway Hotel, Bunkrana. Expect coffee, cakes and compassionate conversations on understanding suicide grief and local supports available to adults. Doors open at 12 with the speaker at 12.30. Visit hugg.ie for more details. HUG, Hope and Healing After Suicide. The county's number one talk show. The 9 till noon show on Highland Radio. And as we head into the last hour of Monday's 9 till noon show, let's get a news update and it's over to Donna Marie Daherty. Thanks Greg, good morning. A letter Kenny councillor is calling for the inspection of fire hydrants in letter Kenny to see that they are in working order. Last month, while responding to a house fire, the Donegal Fire Service had to locate a second hydrant after the nearest one was unusable because it was clogged. Councillor Jerry McMonegal says he's thankful that nobody was injured. People up to the age of 50 can apply to join and Garda Shea Connor from today. New Garda recruitment competition is open until the 8th of February with the age limit rising from 35. However, president of the Garda Representative Association, Brendan O'Connor says new applicants will start off on the lowest point of the salary scale, which he believes will be a put-off. 24 old and derelict buildings across the country are to be repurposed for community use. Two of them in Ardra. The 4.5 million euro in funding is being set aside to tackle dereliction and vacancy as part of the town and village renewal scheme. Both Donegal projects are described as terraced properties to be converted into a multi-purpose community space. Planning permission has been approved for a 15 million euro revamp at Arigal College in letter Kenny. The news has been welcomed by chairperson of the Board of Management at the school and ETB, Councillor Donald Coyle. The new school will facilitate 750 students, including 27 classrooms, two special needs classrooms and a special needs suite. And finally, Donegal online and rescue team were tasked to rescue two walkers who have become lost in the mist at Lock's salt on Saturday evening. The team were able to use sidewalk technology to determine the walkers' position. After making sure they were well, they were driven back to their vehicle by one of the rescue volunteers, and the two teams stood down at 10 to 9. That's all for now from Hidden Radio News back again at 12 o'clock. Donna Marie, thank you very much indeed. Good morning to you too. Do I scare you? Headphones are up a little bit loud so they are. Back with more after this short break. You're very welcome back to the program. I'm delighted to join in the show. We're on to the show, sorry. Martin Harley, a jockey from Donegal, of course, who scored the biggest winning of his career so far in Australia at the weekend. First and foremost, Martin, congratulations and thank you so much for joining us. How are you keeping? Yes, no problem. Good to speak to you and getting very well. Much better after the weekend. Very good. Do you know where everyone is? Your family and your friends. The wider community all so very proud of you. Martin, how did you get involved in becoming a jockey? What's the pathway in? Well, this is obviously my dad, John. He's a busy farmer and there was always a few horses around the farm and got on a few ponies out of the doors and I got the bug for it. And yeah, then the mum and dad and all my family supported me throughout and yeah, here we are today. Thank you. Martin, here we are today. Fast forward many years and trying to be a jockey. I think you succeeded. Martin, it's a lifestyle choice as well, isn't it? With the weight system and all that type of stuff, you have to be incredibly disciplined or do you, to be a jockey in this day and age? No, you definitely do and the funny part about it is everyone in life seems to be getting a bit taller you know. There was a lot of small jockeys many years ago but jockeys nowadays are much taller and I think that goes with just life really but the weight hasn't really gone up for jockeys. It has gone up a little bit but a couple more kilos wouldn't do any harm. We could have a little bit more to eat but that's what it is. Everyone has to deal with it, not just me but I'm pretty lucky all in all but over in Australia we have around 33 and a half, 34 kilos so that's like a year and a half stone so it's pretty light. Those take a bit of dedication and plenty of work and plenty of sweating in the hot tub but when you have days like I had on Saturdays it makes it all worthwhile. We'll come to that in a moment but just to sort of give us a better understanding I mean you can be put on the most amazing horse and you're up against other jockeys so both particularly between flat racing and over the jumps what is your role as a jockey from the minute the gate opens as soon as the cord goes up other than staying on the back of the horse what is your role in that whole process as you see it? I think there's a lot to do with there's definitely a lot to do with a horse fast horses make fast jockeys but listen everyone's got a different skill hence why a lot of jockeys are different and there's plenty of good jockeys out there but they all seem to have a different mark on what way to ride a horse and this that and other but you know it all depends on getting out of the barrier safe and then trying to find your right position in the race and you know you see a lot of people having bets on horses and they're like why didn't you just go from the front but a lot of horses like being ridden passing a lot of horses a lot of horses don't like a very easy run sitting second how I'd go it's more of a you know it's finding out the horse what way they like being ridden in a race and you know you communicate with a trainer and yeah so on and so forth but yeah the horse does make a fast horse does make our life a lot easier and yeah it's a good feeling when you get on the fast one and your role then is to sort of recognise that the way the horse wants to run what position it likes to be when it likes to go to the front all of that stuff has to be factored in as you're bumming along you know 40-odd mile an hour yes correct that's exactly that's a good way of putting it prime example I know you're going to get to but Philly I rode in the gold called Saturday that was the first time running over seven furlums all the wings was being at six furlums she stepped up to seven furlums on Saturday question mark whether she's going to get the distance or not but the good thing about her she relaxes very good in the race wherever you put her midfield second third fourth position she relaxes very good so she can serve a lot of energy through the race to have it at the business end as we would say to go and try win the race so seven furlums is definitely a maximum trip for me but when they've got a little bit of class and they're relaxing the race if you jump out in a horse and start pulling very early in the race well they're using energy at the wrong end of the stick so at the business end they're not going to have so much energy left to give you that last kick that you might need so you scored the biggest win of your career that's how it's being framed and you only got yourself in that position with other successes in your career it's like the culmination and the continuance of everything that you do in Martin but before the race you had your strategy it's a six to one shot right which is long enough odds did you fancy that you were going to be able to get across the line first I'm sure you would always hope and work towards doing that but did you get a sense that this was going to be your day on this horse yeah well listen what the year that's been in through injury and all the rest we always hope for a good clean run around number one number two I wrote her last piece of work last Tuesday morning last bit of preparation work really and she worked really really good I was like she got off her back she did exactly on her last piece of work and the distance was a small concern but I just I really like to say my honest opinion I thought you could run a top three place and after that anything else was a bonus and thankfully she put her head down and she's got a big will to win, big heart and yeah she was the only one that had her in that short enough margin but she was finished and strong with her the whole lot of fantastic stuff and I mean it's sort of the end of a year that could have been a career threatening life threatening career because you know we follow your career quite closely here through the sports team as you might know Martin and we remember too the news of the fall that you had and yourself would really quite a severe injury that if a couple of things had gone the other ways it could have been life altering for you Oh absolutely and even when it got the fall the first thing you think I'm going to walk again when it results around your neck especially when I've done three bones I've done C0, C1 and C2 which is the worst three bones you can actually break in your neck as any as any person walks whether it's half a horse or a carol whatever but thankfully I was able to walk and then yeah there's 20 times and then four and a half months I question myself and said you know are you going to have retain that ability or the confidence to get on a horse and do what it did for all my life really but thankfully I had a little bit of luck on my side and yeah when I got back on the horse it felt good and yeah a few winners and confidence got back up and yeah I've led to the magic million thank god and it is also a little bit like Formula 1 racing or rally driving there is an inherent built-in risk to it any person that gets on the back of a horse and competes at the level you're competing you have to do so in the knowledge that something could happen and you have to be able to as much as you can limit the injury or the chances of it happening Oh for sure and you know there's you know people say oh you know why do you do that crazy sport but you know there is a thing out there when your time's up your time's up whatever that may be if you're going to have an accident walking across the road there's obviously higher risks for sports people driving cars, riding horses and you know we're sat on the back of a horse with yes we've got a helmet body to take for on but we're doing you know there's 12, 14, 16 hours around you so if you were on the front end and you actually took a fall when there's a chance that 13 or 14 other horses is actually going to run over the top so it is a massive risk but it's something I love doing and yeah I wouldn't change if it worked You've decided your career is in Australia is that the long-term plan is that way you want to do your trade now Martin do you sort of look at what's happening across the UK and Irish courses and fancy piece of that action where are you at in your mind in that regard Well it's a no brainer really I've had many good years in England and Ireland but now I'm your wife Brittany she's from Australia and the prize money over here is phenomenal like that winner I had on the gold course the other day was only a listed class winner which is four class away from group ones and I've won group ones before but I'm like a one that the guineas at the corner was like £300,000 to the winner but the race in Saturday was only four grades less than the group one and it was worth £1 million to the winner so you do a lot you only have to race three days a week over here really it's like six days a week for a lot less prize money a lot more miles a lot more hours in the day you're working between track work in the morning and driving up north to Haydock or York or Wolverhampton you're not getting home till 11.30 and you're back up at 5.30 the next morning alright you've been convinced just a definitely a better quality of life obviously I miss my family lots back home but you can actually take four or six weeks off every year and go back and see them in England you look at you get four or five days off every year just racing is a lot more intense and you know to say as you get older you should get a bit wider but Australia is definitely setting the bill for me right now that's for sure brilliant it's great to hear and Martin in terms of career goals are you the type of sports person that sets career goals targets for yourself like what boxes that what boxes for you need to be ticked for you to sort of eventually you know hang up the saddle and say you know what I did everything I wanted to do there yeah well listen I'm probably probably one goal that I have I don't have many goals to be honest especially with injuries have had have been very thankful to get back from them all and be able to continue doing what I love but now I think I'm on close to nine on the winners so they probably would try to reach a thousand winners and you know anything after that would be a bonus but I think a thousand winners you know there's plenty of juggies that's written two three four thousand winners but for me was plenty about injuries along the way to reach a thousand winners of the group one winners and every juggies I've been knocking off that five of them and my career so far I hope there's another five out there waiting for me but yeah a thousand winners will be wouldn't mean a lot to me you know with injuries have served along the way yeah especially with so much of your career being in Australia and less rides and what have you those thousands begin that's the thousand begins to stand up very well against sort of UK Island based fifteen hundred two thousand I'm sure Martin well listen congratulations to you as I say you know your family are all very proud of you as is Donegal and the country and we do follow how you get on over there very very closely so it's been wonderful chatting to you and continued success and safe riding into the future and best wishes to you and all the family and all your friends over there thank you very much very kind and take good care and thanks for the call all right Martin take care bye bye that's Martin Harley Donegal Jockey based in Australia he scored the biggest win of his career so far in Australia at the weekend six to one shot a bounding to victory in the three million dollar magic millions three year old Guinness Guinness sorry Guinness I don't drink Guinness so that's not what's on my mind in the three year old Guinness race at Australia's gold coast at the weekend just twelve months after that horrific fall and if any of you watching on social media you would just see the footage of what he went through in terms of his recovery he wore that halo for three or four months whereby your neck is just your head is locked into position can you imagine walking sleeping he still exercised during that process as well and then all the other therapies got back onto the saddle and his career continues to go from strength to strength a fantastic sporting achievement difficult to put it into context but I think if you know you know what he's doing and what he has achieved is really quite remarkable The county's number one talk show The Ninetal Noon Show on Highland Radio The Ninetal Noon Show is brought to you by Letterkenny Credit Union with monster loans available up to 60,000 euro for all occasions visit letterkennycu.ie Sheridan security now introducing Zero Wire smart alarm systems Zero Wire, Zero Mess with a simple press of a button your alarm can be set or on set or download the free app and control it from your phone Call us today on<PHONE_NUMBER> and get your alarm from 299 euro Stay local, stay safe and protect what you value most with Sheridan security systems Foyoun Company's Big January sale is now on with up to 50% off furniture which discounts across all departments mattresses, Italian leather suites curtains, paint and hardware also 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Toys.com Tinney's Toys with so much more than just farm toys Highland Radio time checks with Expressway travel route 32 from Letterkenny to Dublin when you book online and travel for less Expressway bringing you the time at it is 18 minutes past 11 on the mountaintop here in Letterkenny wherever you're listening to us it's the same time actually maybe it's not you might be in a different time zone but the point I was trying to make was I was trying to shoe in where we are because I was going to say there are wintery showers up here at the moment definitely wintery they look white that's what I'm saying so is that foreboding right okay not as busy on the text line as I would like get your phone at 08 660 25000 it's still very busy but just not quite where I'd like to see it at can you go to Sligo to get married if you can't get married in Donegal or any of the neighbouring counties I presume you can can you travel outside your county does any of your listeners know they water rates like any other business a lot of these houses have hot tubs as well so we're using a lot of water some of these hot tubs are very close to public roads and the people using these hot tubs are wearing very little clothes and some of them are completely naked it's not nice on the people that have to walk past well, hold on a second there's two issues here talk to me about the are you saying that you see nude people in Airbnbs in Donegal in hot tubs what's going on there a different level of society I wasn't aware of sorry to focus on the salacious the one thing to sa