Yeah, I'm always the last to know you. How are you, Rick? First to know on The 9th Loon Show. Of course, Gregor. You got your nice shirt on today. It's just white, Lee. Did you iron it? You ironed that yourself, did you? I did, yeah, this morning. You did a good job with that. Thanks very much. Could I drop you a few bits of Bob's then? Go down. No bother, I like ironing. All right, okay.  Did you? I did, aye. Did you? Had it for years. Is it brown stuff I've ever come out of your iron, no? Yeah. That's the worst when you're doing it. But it's bad water, you see. Is it salty water? No, no, it's just that the water's dirty or something. I have a wee sash here, right, that you can put into these irons, but I don't know where to put it in. Put it in where the water goes? Is that all you do? Yeah, of course. But how do you have to flush it out then? What do you do? Steam it out? I don't know. Shake it about, tip it out. I have it sitting on the mantelpiece then. What's the regular iron you have? It's a steam iron. So it produces actual steam. You can vertically iron with it? No, not vertically. Just normally. What kind of iron on the board do you have? It has a wee container.  But then you put the sassy in there. But how do you get rid of all the stuff that's in? Do you just iron as normal or do you have to like steam it out? Oh, it's $660,000, $25,000. I don't know, we need help with this. So I have this sassy for about a year. We'll get to the bottom of it later. Nice, Greg. It'll be resolved before $5,000. I'll iron your shirt. Can I iron your shirt as brown stuff comes out? I don't think I'd trust you. I know you will. All right, good luck to you. If you can answer his question, get in touch with us. It's not going to settle till he finds out. 9 o'clock, good morning, Michaela Clark. Thanks, Greg. Good morning. Later, Kenny Milford, Municipal District Councillor, says he's flabbergasted after Ishka Aron told him that the water supply at Ross Park and Manor Cunningham did not make the cut for inclusion in the 2023 Main Rehabilitation Programme and that there are no plans to replace the mains in the area this year. Councillor Jeremy Monaghal says there needs to be more accountability and that he will be pursuing the matter at the highest level. He says given that there have been two outages in the past seven days alone, he's questioned what needs to be done in order for work to be carried out. I sent an email off requesting that information. What needs to happen for an area to make the cut as they put it? I'll take it as high as I can get it with an Irish water, but I think there needs to be some government intervention here. Someone has to be able to hold Irish water to account and that needs to happen very, very quickly. The Keherlock Author, initial Municipal District has described works approved for Newton Cunningham as a game changer. Donegal County Council has given the go-ahead for works as part of the town's Main Street Active Travel Project. Improvement and upgrade works are to be carried out and traffic coming measures installed. Councillor Paul Canning says once complete Newton Cunningham will hugely reap the benefits. Street is very low and a lot of vehicles use it because anybody's coming from Derry through the Kille road will come through Newton and there's a lot of vehicles on that street. We have about six raised tables to call them and that will slow down the traffic. This system is also to encourage people to walk more than the vehicles and also a lot of the footpaths are getting inviting to shoot people going to school. Farmers say their worried rewetting plans will lead to land values being slashed. The EU wants Ireland to start saturating peatland to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It's part of the nature restoration law which hopes to restore at least 20 percent of the EU's damaged land and sea areas by 2030. But the Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association says rewetted peatlands could result in the market price of upland and bog falling dramatically. Declan O'Brien news correspondent with the Irish Farmers Journal says farmers are worried about who would want to buy flooded lands. There's going to be a devaluing of the asset value of the farmers lands that are selling now for six, seven, eight thousand an acre.  Nobody knows. But who's going to want to own a bog outside of the state potentially that is effectively rewet? Whether I am mostly sunny day to day with top temperatures of 21 to 26 degrees. That's all from Highland Radio News for now. We'll be back with news again at 10 o'clock. Until then, good morning. The muck plant. What? 100% vegan. Even the cheese? But how? Can't be. Can't? It really is. The muck plant from McDonald's with melt-in-the-mouth vegan cheese, a delicious sesame seeded bun, vegan mayo, and a juicy Beyond Meat patty. It's our iconic taste, plant-based. Served after 11 a.m. Subject to availability. The county's number one talk show. The 9 till noon show on Highland Radio. And now it's time for the talk of the Northwest. The 9 till noon show with Greg Hughes on Highland Radio. And you're very welcome aboard. Good morning. It is four minutes past nine on this Thursday, the first of June. It's the official in meteorological senses, the first day of summer. And we're starting to get the summer weather. All right, it's okay.  We want your views. We want your news too, and your opinions. 08, 6, 60, 25,000. The lines are open for you right now. Caroline, as always, taking your texts and calls as is Nev. And don't forget to give us a call if you wish on 07491 25,000. Emails coming to us. Comments at highlandradio.com. A bumper morning as it is a Thursday for newspapers. We'll start with the Treconal Tribune this morning. Any threat to call Arland's count numbers by 200,000 will signal the end of the road for suckler farmers. And it will make the future of the rural countryside unsustainable. That's the view of Sweeney. Joe Sweeney, sorry. Chair of the IFA in Donegal. While the proposal has been described as a briefing document by government sources, angry farmers say this mindset's typical of the thinking of officials in the Department of Agriculture. And I listened to, and I can only listen as you would know to an interview with Charlie McConnell not so long ago. And he seemed to give the impression if I'm not reading the room incorrectly that farmers were all for us, that they were chomping at the bit. Well, Mr. Sweeney said that any suggestion that this plan is part of the consideration for the future of Irish farming is deeply disappointing at a time when the industry needs the strongest possible backing from government for young people to make farming a career choice. And clearly they're not because the recent census shows that all industries, there's more people working in them except fishing and farming. I wonder is that a coincidence? I don't know. Only 11% of farmers are classified as being under 30 years of age, according to a farm survey published last year. There were 130,000 odd employed in the business with 9,197 under the age of 35. Half of farmers had a standard output equal or less than 13,566. On to the Donningham News. And the man who was killed in a tragic workplace incident in Guidor will be laid to rest tomorrow, Steve and Montgomery, just 43 of Ballymore, who was married with one daughter was killed in a workplace incident involving an explosion at Bloody Foreland. On Monday afternoon, his funeral service will be held in his family home at Ballymore tomorrow at 12 noon with burial afterwards in Ballymore graveyard. On Monday afternoon, Guardi evacuated the area after an explosion and the Irish Defence Force's explosives ordinance disposal were called in. It is believed Mr Montgomery was operating machinery while breaking rock on the site when the explosion occurred. And it's the subject to a full investigation, I presume, and I'm sure to determine the full cause. Again, we're thinking on the family and friends this morning and his work colleagues as they prepare for that funeral. The Donegal Democrat this morning momentum is mounting to restore Donegal's six-seater single constituency status. That's the overwhelming message from the 22 submissions received by the Electoral Commission in relation to its task of shaping the future make-up of Dole constituencies. The big question was the reunification to come up time and time again was the southern part of the county with its natural hinterland the rest of Donegal into one constituency. Going finagale TD Joe McHugh was the only Donegal Erectus member to make a submission. Although the Finafall Donegal Gahila Dole Cantor office board also made a contribution. Other Erectus members in this area to contribute were independent TD for Sligo Leach and Marion Harkin finagale TD for the same area Frank Fagan and former Finafall now independent TD Mark McChari. This is the first review of constituencies carried out by the Electoral Commission established under the Electoral Reform Act 2022. Do you have a view on that? Do you believe that Donegal should be restored to a single six-seater county? Not many people actually had their say by way of the Electoral Commission just 22 and quite a few of those with skin in the game so to speak. Maybe it's not something that vexes people anymore. The Dairy News this morning tells us that former Celtic and Dairy City footballer Patrick McCourt was yesterday found guilty at Dairy Magistrates Court of a charge of sexual assault on a female on January 30th last year. McCourt, who's 39 of Wheatfield Court in Moff County Donegal had contested one charge of sexual assault on a female where it was alleged someone had put their hand up her skirt in a nightclub. The Farmers Journal this morning a world first genotype cattle tagging scheme will open for farmer applications later this month. The five-year scheme anticipated to cost 83 million with 23 million of Brexit adjustment reserve funding to fully cover implementation costs in the first year of the program. Year one will target 800,000 cattle. All calves born to genotype cows will also need to be genotype tagged in the following four years and effectively every animal in the country we will have the genetic makeup which presumed it's advantageous for breeding and for tracing and all that type of stuff. It's a it's a lot of money though, isn't it? The Irish Independent this morning older workers should face sharp increases in pure sight now in order to fund their retirement and diffuse a looming pensions time bomb the head of the country's fiscal watchdog has said in the wake of new census data showing that the country's growing population is getting older Sebastian Barnes chair of the Irish fiscal advisory council said large tax increases now would avoid having to levy even larger ones in the future on a small or working population. You're taxing these people before they retire. If you don't do it now you miss that opportunity. It is a big group of people. I don't want to pay an extra tax what I want to do is live long enough to retire and then all the new young people to pay more tax and make sure I've got a good pension that's what I would like and I want to referend them to make sure that's happening. I don't want to pay any more tax and I believe it should be my children that pay extra tax so that I am in any way comfortable in my retirement. 08 660 25000 do you agree. The government has committed to small and gradual increases to employee and employers and that's while they're paying off the national debt as well they can pay that off at the same time. The government has committed to small and gradual increases to employee and employers PRSI in order to fund future pensions having already rejected the pension commission recommendation to gradually increase the retirement age from 66 to 68 by 2039 but I'll read about it later in a later article I think it's one I selected. The reality is is though it is probably going to be hard to hold the retirement age at the mid 60s because as I say I'll read the article I think in a moment the children born this week are very likely to live to 100 they are very likely to which is great isn't it because of long better outcomes than who's to say with artificial intelligence. We could live forever I don't know unlikely but anyway so you know your working life is going to be longer and people are going to be healthier it's going to be very hard I'm not saying I want it risen but it's going to be very hard to argue to keep the retirement age at 65-66 when people are routinely living to 100 years of age isn't it I think that's just practical realities of life that you kind of would have to work longer to pay your way for longer so we do have to look to the future to some extent I would imagine 380 million euro the Department of Housing returned to the Exchequer amid underspends it's a huge amount of money how can you fray almost half a billion well over a quarter of a billion this is big money the Department of Housing had to return more than 380 million to the Exchequer over the last four years amid underspends blamed in part on COVID-19 construction stoppages the Public Accounts Committee will be told despite the ongoing housing crisis the Department has struggled to spend its full allocated budget it was previously reported that it failed to spend more than one billion earmarked for housing over the past three years now what I don't understand and I genuinely don't understand is why this money is not used to provide housing for people in in Donegal are affected by the defective concrete scandal why is it not used to to provide prefabricated buildings you know why return it to the Exchequer why is it not there's a million ways this money could be used really practically to help citizens and that's even if we accept that what is being spent is being spent in a good way but there's a massive housing crisis all over the place but just allocate a hundred million of that to prefabricated houses for people here in Donegal and ease some stress on people as they say it probably doesn't work like that but perhaps it should work like that you know why return the money if it's not spent go right you know what we can redirect that and provide modular homes in in Donegal for people so they have a roof over their head and are less stressed whilst or stop penny pinching over the scheme for crying out if you can't spend the money you're allocated why are you penny pinching on money that you are going to allocate yeah back to this thing about people's life expectancy it's in the Irish Daily Mail children born this week have a good chance of seeing their 100th birthday a longevity expert has said because Irish people are living longer than ever before Dr Mark Ward senior researcher with Trinity College's Irish long longitudinal study on aging was speaking to the Irish Daily Mail as the census 2022 figures this week showed that the number living to 100 and beyond has risen by a staggering 61% since 2016 from 455 people in 700 to 738 so we are talking about a small group of the the population generally but in just six years the number of people aged over 65 has risen by more than 140,000 which is a much greater number Dr Ward said if the trend towards people living longer lives in Ireland continues children born this year have a really strong chance of living to 100 and beyond he said we can't predict whether there will be the natural disasters or another pandemic but all things being equal if we have similar improvements in terms of lifestyle and health care we will continue to live longer would you like to live that long I'm sure you would wouldn't you oh wait 660 25,000 right okay the petrol prices some of them went up yesterday but they certainly went up at 12 o'clock last night I wondered did many of you rush to get your petrol and diesel at the five six cents cheaper it was yesterday in most places compared to today well drivers will face higher prices at the pumps from today as the government excise cuts are reversed for the first time as fuel prices reached record levels in March 2022 the government announced it would could excise duty on petrol and diesel in a bid to bring prices down this was later extended in September's budget when it announced its cost of living supports in February the coalition said it would phase out the cuts gradually so the first cut was faced yesterday now I would say if they worked with us we probably because petrol and diesel has come down quite significantly we could probably absorb could we this this slight increase but it's going to go up another 10, 15 cent over the next few months so I think that's just a bridge too far I mean they're making more money off petrol and diesel than they ever did because of it being so expensive but you know work with us a little bit meet us halfway right we'll swallow this one but do us a favour maybe defer the other ones I don't know right if you smoke you might not live as long as someone who doesn't but you will gain an extra week off work every year that's how much time smokers spend on cigarette breaks one working week a year more than half leave their desk several times a day for cigarette or to vape some take as much as 20 minutes out of their days but typically it's up to 10 even at the lower rate that amounts to 50 minutes a week or nearly 40 hours a year the equivalent to at least a week's extra holidays despite ongoing government and HSE campaigns in early 720,000 people in Ireland are currently smokers and while they're putting their own health at risk they're also likely to be less productive at work the poll warns the biggest slackers are Gen Z workers those born after the mid 1990s followed by older baby boomer colleagues born between 1946 and 1964 so is there someone in your office getting an extra week's holiday what do you think are you looking over at their desk I'll wait 60, 60, 25,000 I've no one to look at here everyone's good oh they're good boys and girls here and finally just bow your head and I want you to just reflect for a moment on the struggles of RTE they are under pressure the TV license fee has raked out of your pocket 3.7 billion for RTE over the past 20 years but the broadcaster insists that it now needs to be reformed if the station is to survive figures well maybe cut wages you know and if if they want to move on somewhere else let them go that would be one way you could save some money figures released by culture minister Catherine Martin show that RTE regularly takes in close to 200 million euro a year out of your pockets for the TV license for yet station bosses admit it's still struggling to remain sustainable despite the huge intake and plus ads by the way despite the huge intake the national broadcaster is losing money and was given 15 million in additional taxpayers cash last year on top of 196.2 million had already received from the TV license now I could go in there and help them save money because they're losing listeners overall to independent stations and other services stop paying people so much money stop throwing money at prizes to try and get people to listen to shows that are dead on their feet you know things like that it wouldn't necessarily balance the books but it certainly would make it more palatable for the public if you come with your hand out and the begging bowl out all right any views on anything there that you've just heard or if you want to talk about anything yourself raise it with us oh wait six sixty twenty five thousand WhatsApps and texts that number or give us a call on 07491 25,000 the newspapers are courtesy of kelly centra mountaintop letter kenny the sea store national large four court of the year for 2022 the northwest opera returned to a green in theater this June 2nd and 3rd with the musical comedy Sweeney Todd the demon barber of fleet street with music by Steven Sondheim and the iconic film adaptation by Tim Burton starring Johnny Depp this chilling tale of revenge will leave you breathless book your tickets now at and green in theater don't miss Sweeney Todd at and green in theater June 2nd and 3rd holiday sunshine fly from dairy to New Yorker this July or August with 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B&S Credit Union limited is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland Highland Radio time checks with Expressway travel route 32 from Lettich, entity Dublin when you book online and travel for less Expressway bringing you the time asked the time is 22 minutes past nine we welcome Deputy Thomas Pringle onto the program good morning Thomas thanks for joining us morning Greg how are you good good good before we talk about why we invited you onto the program just a word from you in relation to the latest speculation as to whether or not Donegal should be a single six-seater county now I mean you're in I mean from a personal suspect perspective in Kili Beggs I mean it'd probably be preferable for you if that southern tip of Donegal was part of the county but more generally speaking it would make more sense to return us to one county wouldn't well I think so and effort was based on county boundaries and that the whole county was included in it would make sense but I think that the idea of six-seaters in Ireland is very I don't think there ever has been a six-seater I think why the six-seaters are allowed for I don't think there actually has been any five-seaters as far as they go and for in terms of the established parties they would want six-seaters because it's a lot more the less control over who gets the last couple of seats so it looks like that they're probably go for two three-seaters and so and in the county and I don't really know what difference that's going to make in terms of my own circumstances and I suppose very selfishly I'll be looking at that to see what impact that could have so when I first got elected Donegal it was a three-seater and Donegal Southwest and then we got re-elected again in the five-seaters so I mean we just have to take it as a conference see what it's going to present for us but in terms of representation you know with all due respect to the count there to the TDs elected I mean their focus is kind of slugowy if you know what I mean I think people from Lahi South and across to Pettigo would probably feel and this is like this is not just respect to any of the politicians of whatever party and on their part of they would probably feel better represented by someone elected for the rest of South Donegal Yeah I think probably Balochana-Bondore an area suffered from the point of view that there wasn't enough votes in that area to elect the TD so therefore it kind of was like viewed as being an add-on to slag-only term and that made a real problem and you know so if probably if it had to happen again in the future it should be a bigger portion of Donegal that's a terrible idea that's an absolutely rubbish idea we'll move on before in case anyone from the I mean that's what that would have in case anyone from the Electoral Commission is listening right you have said and I think you know it seems pretty obvious now that would be impossible for a single person on your median wage in Donegal to buy a house in this county that's based on the recent CSO figures it's it's you know it's quite a depressing fact yeah yeah it's quite depressing it's very stark when you I mean I didn't think I knew it was bad but I didn't think it was quite as bad when you read the actual figures the CSO showed that Donegal people are income is 36.7% lower than Dublin and the national income and when you look at the average income in the county is around about 27,000 euros which means basically for a single person in 27,000 euros the most they get expect to get on a mortgage is 89,000 euro and you won't get anything near a house in Donegal for that kind of money and that is a problem and if you do get some for that it will need a huge amount of work on it and which would mean extra money as well you know so I just put it in stark contrast what the people of Donegal are facing yeah and what I thought quite interesting was the level of the amount of single people it's not something I've ever really given any consideration to consideration to as such but we are talking like a big swathe of the population here and even if you have a couple they will still potentially struggle on that income to afford a decent house because they may likely have children for example yeah that's right and in Donegal context yes it would be very difficult for them and then the rules of how the income is treated in terms of buying for a mortgage and that as well does make it harder and even if you get above the the 90,000 euro figure as a couple they're still looking like I mean I think for an entire county when I looked at it there were 35 houses available for under 100,000 so I mean there's even the at the higher at the higher than the 90,000 there's still an awful lot of restricted properties available and they're just the people just can't get them and that's the reality because of course with your salary there are many other things that have to come out of that as well possibly two cars because of the rural nature of the county you know the associated costs with that you're likely to be buying a house with poor insulation I would imagine so the additional running costs there and so on and so forth but what can realistically be done to address that though because and we've done it before you know it was when I built the house my wages were I can't remember what it was I think it was about 16 or 17 or 18,000 it was something like that but you you could build a house key in the door for 60,000 do you know what I mean like and that was I remember that being an expensive quote at the time so even even though wages now are considerably higher than that the multiple of your annual salary to actually get the cheapest of a new house is it's completely different examples and oranges now yeah the change is huge amount in the last time that's why and that is the problem and there's a number of different issues in relation to it I mean I think the the availability of workers and actually housing construction so if they got their pushes up the cost as well the fact that there isn't the amount of people available to actually work at building houses therefore the cost of houses was up as well that has to be looked at definitely the the amount of income that people are earning has to be looked at as well and also as well I think what has to be looked at and what has to be addressed is the amount of properties available for people to rent as well because that puts an extra burden on people you know because I've I've come across quite a people who've had to move home because they they're unable to find a property to rent but yet if you look anywhere at all I'd say outside Airbnb you're tripping over Airbnb's all around the place and that is something that we have to get the balance of right as well yeah well you last time you were on this program you were effectively I don't think I misquote you was unapologetically effectively saying tax people who put their properties up for Airbnb out of the market yeah I think I think so I think that's what the government has to do but also what I said was that would should be a tax benefit for having your property as a long-term rent as well you know that's so basically a lower tax income tax level for people maybe who have a property and they rent it through somebody on a long-term rental and that way they're used to tax but Thomas is that not an overreach okay these are people who maybe have a distrust of banks or whatever they've invested in the house maybe they inherited it it's their property it's their bricks and mortar on their land and you're asking or taxing those people to coerce them into doing something with their property and the reason you'd be asking them to do that is because of a failure of successive governments to build enough affordable housing I mean that does that not contradict your your ideology there that you're looking to tax citizens into forcing them how to use their property to fill the gap left by poor government policy that's that's it's not it's just a sound right oh no it doesn't sound right and unfortunately in the emergency situation that's what we have to do but you know remember that the those same citizens are the people who elect that government and elect our governments as well you know so I mean that's like saying take your medicine no we all have a responsibility we live in it we live in a society we don't you know and nobody can stand outside and say that I'm already jacking to hell with everybody else and you know and that's that's the problem again and what we what we should do we do it all the time like I mean do we we have compulsory seat belts and cars because that's because it's safer for people so you're saying we shouldn't actually put pressure on people to wear seat belts but this is their own property what's next I that you can you can go into someone's house and take half the food out of their fridge and give it to someone else because you you know I mean where does it end if you're looking for the the public to fix government problems like where does it end it ends when everybody's looked after and when when everybody when we can be sure that people have a house and that they can have somewhere to live and that people won't end up homeless and but yet where we have airbends tripping over ourselves it ends when that's the case and when when everybody is looked after and everybody needs has what they need then the additional can go on and then if people want to have their properties in airbnb that's okay but I think they should pay a higher rate a higher tax rate for having that because we all have an obligation for a public good and we all have an obligation to each other and to to the society to make sure that everybody can live and I think we do but the airbnb the airbnb sectors also contributing significantly here because we've got 50% capacity taken out of our hotels right for an example at the moment because the public are doing their bit to help with the refugee crisis airbnb's are actually probably really really helping the donagall economy the reason our income is so low perhaps is because there's so many eight or nine ten thousand people involved involved in hospitality where the wages are low I mean if it wasn't for the airbnb where would our tourists be staying do you know what I mean like how many times can you go back to the public and say look at okay your business is banjax because you live to a hotel beside a hotel that has no tourists anymore if you then wanted to try and make a bit of income off a house that you had no we're going to tax that out as well because we need that house for someone else like where does it all end I mean I'm not saying that people shouldn't make income out of the houses and if you listen to what I said Greg I actually said that people should get a tax benefit from having put in a house in a long-term rental so it actually would be more attractive for people to have their houses at a long-term rental rather than have it as an airbnb and I think that I think that is a perfectly acceptable solution for an emergency situation which we're in at the minute and yes there is a need for people to have holiday accommodation and stuff to get there but alongside all that we still have thousands of holiday homes available in the country that could be that could be used for that purposes but also as well that I don't I don't want to have tourists here and have homeless people on the streets as well and that's it yes but there's 380 million euro that there's 380 million euro that has been handed back the extract from the Department of Housing why not say right why don't we start actually properly building modular homes for people up here say for instance if they need to move out of the micro or the defective concrete block affected homes that would take some pressure off the rental market you know and also too for some people they don't want the hassle of long-term rent someone comes in stays for two or three nights out they go they clean the house and on again you know the potential being a long-term landlord now as a dirty dirty industry it seems in this country you know the the hassles and what have you that goes along with that and if you decide to do something without else with with your property you can't because you can't it's very difficult to to to move tenants on no that's that's not actually the case Greg I think that's a lot of that a lot of that some of that that's true yes there's no doubt about it there is some some instances where that's the case but the reality is Greg and you I think you would know what you sounded like myself when you were talking there about the modular homes and something out there I've been raising this in the doll and the government doesn't want to know the same government doesn't want to know that is that is won't won't provide housing for people and won't provide yes but it's almost as if you've given up on that because the government will not be cracked on it right wait till I finish it's not it's not an insult to you it's almost as if right okay they're not going to do that so what we're gonna do is start taxing people on their own private properties their own residents to fix the housing crisis that way now maybe it's a too too stranded approach right but surely the focus should be on pressing the government to fix the problems that successive governments have created rather than putting our hands into the pockets of people who perhaps had a distrust of banks as I said before and and and invested in property or what have you and this sounds like I'm lobbying for I have nothing by the way I've a my house and I still have a mortgage to pay on it so there's nothing there's nothing in this for me by the way just to be absolutely clear but you know this again these are all government problems yeah but what what do you feel to realise Greg is that who who is the government the government is elected by the people of Ireland to represent and to to fight for it yeah but we yeah but people don't but people don't people don't you have to force yourself from the response by people people elected people elected you people elected you Thomas right and you had the opportunity to go into government and you decided not to yeah because because the government would not reflect which way you want to because the government because the government would not reflect the needs of would you be would you be happy if I was in government but then this type of government now yeah but you're blaming people for electing the government yes but it's it's almost an alicard attitude towards democracy you're blaming people who elected the government right but you would they elected you and you could have gone into government and you chose not to yeah because it would because the government wouldn't provide for the needs of the people as that's what what I've seen and and I I would say that I've been proven right because the way this government has behaved but you can't you can't divorce the people people from and people paying tax from the government and people paying tax from society we all live in a society and we have an obligation to make sure that everybody and within that society can live and it's better for us all and I think it benefits better the people who have Airbnb properties that if everybody in the county is living and living properly and living at the best life that they can it'll benefit everybody in the long one and it actually would bring more tourists here to the county which would make those Airbnb's more viable as well too so it would have a benefit all across the board and that's the difference that it makes and rather than me saying I'm okay Jack and everybody else can go to hell okay I get you but I just see a small group of individuals and business people making millions upon millions upon millions in this county right and it's it's it seems perfectly fine because through through the refugee an immigration crisis and yet here we are trying to fix a problem of homelessness and it's taxing people on their own private property but I respect your view and I've just been told that you've a vote at 9 30 I was told that at 9 37 so uh one of the questions coming up or whatever it might be my apologies Thomas I appreciate your time and the conversation take care of yourself all right 08 660 25000 WhatsApp's and text that number or give us a call an 07 491 at 25000 watch the show live now on YouTube Facebook and at HighlandRadio.com New multi-million euro cattle tagging scheme launched for more in your farmers Journalist Paul Mooney we reveal how farmers will be incentivized to DNA tag animals find out how many farmers applied for the new suckler scheme in your county fears grow that rewetting plans will devalue farmland department moves and hedgerow removal rules as summer silage sizzles we examine rising diesel prices and Ireland leads the way in sustainable farming read our exclusive interview with the EU commissioner for agriculture all in this week's Irish Farmers Journal on sale now time is ticking on the sizzling summer sale at easy living furniture with absolutely everything reduced now is the time to spruce up your space with stylish furniture and unbeatable savings from cozy sofas to elegant dining sets we have the perfect pieces to transform your home but hurry this sizzling sale ends this Sunday don't miss out on the hottest prices of the season visit easy living furniture presently retail park the dunnegall senior herners return to crook park this Saturday afternoon mickey mccann's chargers face wicklow and the nicky rackard final at 3 p.m. follow the action on highland as dunnegall she is a fourth all-arland title live coverage from the nicky rackard final between dunnegall and wicklow is in association with fuel you can trust at gal oil claddie bridge castle fin your one-stop shop for all your fuel needs with top rates given on sterling get ready for an epic summer with irwin's expert electrical letterkenny and bonkrana everything you need to make the most of our irish summers from the highly sought after ninja barbecues to outdoor speakers dice and fans big screen tvs bluetooth speakers and small appliances we've got you covered irwin expert electrical letterkenny and bonkrana all right some interesting comments coming in off the last conversation debate that we had with deputy thomas pringle i'll get to those very shortly but first i want to introduce on to the program patricia casey who's manager of the national poisons information centre the npi see at bowman hospital thanks for joining us sir patricia good morning great it's great to be here yeah right june which we're into now the npi c is hosting the no act prevent talk to us about this and this is part of actually it's you have a garden at the board be a bloom which kicks off today i believe so patricia talk to us about this this this campaign i suppose could you call it yes i mean the reason that we we decided to have a show garden at bloom this year was to help raise awareness about the risk of potential accidental poisoning in the home and the garden and to give people some information on things that they can do to prevent young children particularly from being poisoned accidentally and we also want to make people aware that the national poisons information service does have an information service for the general public so if a child you know does get hold of something that and eats or drinks something that might be harmful the person looking after them can phone us and we can give them advice on what's best to do so our telephone service operates every day of the year between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. and people can phone us on 01 809 2166 we'll ask a few questions we'll talk through what's happened with them and we work out what the best thing to do is in their particular situation yeah and I think it's a good number to have on the fridge door if people still do that whether you have your own children or you're a grandparent or an auntie or an uncle that has children around because there are an awful lot of inquiries annually now I mean there's obviously an awful lot of instances and an already a good deal of awareness about this number I imagine many come through GPs as well and other sort of healthcare settings but still a lot of inquiries annually yes we get a little over 10,000 calls each year and from a variety of sources as you said about half will be from the general public but then we do get calls from healthcare professionals from from GPs from from hospital staff as well and about 6,000 of those calls involve children and they're typically the toddlers you know children under the age of three years and because at that age children are very active and very curious they're exploring their world and parents anyone who looks after children will tell you whatever they pick up they put in their mouths they have no perfection of danger so that can lead to them eating things that might be harmful yeah and you know it's almost as you go through life with a toddler that you realize I mean there's obvious things like dishwasher tablets and tablets you know for your washing machine and what have you but also a lot of people would put these sort of liquids around the bowl of their toilet and you know toddlers the first thing they do to grab that and it's all very flavorable and they're sorry all very nicely scented and you know they're naturally curious it's everywhere you look there's potential danger yes I mean it's a good point whatever they are naturally curious so whatever they can get hold of there's a there is a chance that they're going to taste this and because that's how they learn about the world and so certainly things like the the toilet and the wind blocks as you said things like read diffuser hand sanitizers I think that people might need to think of as well you disinfectants any of the multi-purpose cleaners that you have around the house and then there are things in the garden as well just tons of your your children might be out in the garden so it's be important to to know what plants you have growing in your garden just in case something happens so if you if you have to get advice so that you know what the plants are and be careful with the garden shared you know again any chemicals lighter fluids any kind of you know gardening products make sure that they're out of reach out of sight of children in the shed yes because I would say quite a few of the calls that you would get as well is that you know maybe the child had a small taste of something and the parent gets it off their breath or something and then the the panic sets in do you have an idea of how many of the calls require you know sort of a referral to it to a medical setting well in terms of the calls about children about one in five of the calls that we get we would send into hospitals because they would need observation and medical assessments and those children the most common things that you know we would be referring them in for the the laundry detergent capsules and paracetamol containing medicines the read diffusers and hand sanitizers so I mean what is the advice is it as simple as you know put locks on your cupboards make sure these things aren't within easy reach even you know if you know a child will at some point will learn to drag a chair that's just a fact because they'll see something on a shelf and they'll go I want that there's a chair and I can can become taller so is it a case of just looking around and making sure things are locked away out of reach in a locked away out of reach in a high press or a press with a child's lock on it but remember no child's lock is going to be 100% impenetrable you know there are children who work out how to open them but they are going to hopefully slow them down make it harder for them to get hold of these products so that you have a better chance of spotting what they're doing and and getting to them before they get to the point where they're going to eat or drink something that you don't want them to to get hold of and just finally and it kind of ties into the bloom side of things a lot of what we talk about often through these pieces it is things like that we buy from shops and bring into the home how do we find out you know what's in our garden and what potential what potential danger it could offer to children like in terms of plants or naturally occurring stuff and in terms of the plants as there are good resources online we put information up on our our website listing some low toxicity plants if you're thinking about you know what to put in your garden these three plants that wouldn't cause serious problems if a child was to to eat them and they might have a little bit of a tummy obsession they might feel sick or they might vomit a little bit but it wouldn't cause any life techniques they won't cause any life testing problems so that list is on our website which is poisons.iu we also have some information on the more toxic plants so again if you're planting maybe think about avoiding them or at least making sure that they're not accessible to children if you have children playing in your garden and again supervision just keep an eye on the children when they get a little bit older you know you can talk to them and just make the points and repeat the point to them to always check with the grown-up before they eat something that's growing in the garden particularly if they're used to picking berries with you they might think that any berry they see is okay to eat so have that conversation with them and have this on a regular basis that it's always best to check before you eat something that you find in the garden whether it's something growing or something that's lying on the ground and it's about educating them as when it's age approach it's not instilling fear we don't want to wrap our children up in bubble wrap but it's just to let them explore but teach them how to explore safely and also to supervise them absolutely you've really hit the nail in the head there we want them out we want them exploring and enjoying their gardens and there are things that people can do to make sure that there's a very few risks in those environments so that they can let them have fun to keep you and I in them but you've done your best to make sure they're not going to come any too soon okay Patricia Casey thank you very much indeed Patricia is manager of the National Poisons Information Centre and sometimes we do have to check ourselves don't we and that we provide information on programs like this is to inform us and to double check things and what have you between that or we do awareness about ticks and things like that as well for a very good reason but we also want to make sure and I'm kind of speaking to myself at the same time as the parent of a toddler that we don't get so fearful that something could happen to them that we inhibit them or that we sort of take away that natural bit of exploration that they have and wanting to visit and learn about the world and stuff right okay let us take a break and I'll come back then with comments on our next guest I just want to say quick good morning to Marie, Paul, Annie, Audrey, Beth amongst those of you watching the show on our social media and our website you're very welcome along and just to remind you that you can watch the program in its entirety every day and get subtitles by the way if that would benefit you by going to YouTube Highland Radio Ireland on your phone tablet laptop smart TV most TVs as I say have YouTube built in now or your fire stick or your Google box whatever it might be and we're also across Facebook as well Highland Hub Highland Radio News and Sport and there's a watch live link on our website Over recent months we've all been dealing with the reality of rising energy costs and we've all been making changes to reduce our energy use however if you are having trouble paying your energy bills be sure to talk to your supplier as soon as possible there are a range of protections in place for customers organizations such as maps and alone can also help for information on these and all other supports available visit gov.ie forward slash reduce your use brought to you by the government of Ireland will devalue farmland department moves and hedgerow removal rules as summer silage sizzles we examine rising diesel prices and Ireland leads the way in sustainable farming read our exclusive interview with the EU commissioner for agriculture all in this week's Irish farmers journal on sale now two three two three simple numbers but for Audi they signify more more innovation and excitement an invitation to experience progress you can feel and a shift in mindset to greater expectations like the competition edition on the Audi A4 and A5 S line models all part of our two three two range discover how progress makes you feel in a two three two Audi and book a test drive today In each tractor run malon Sunday 4th of June live chardy auction lost barbecue with pig on the spit live music from 6 p.m with Mike Denver and his band Jim Devine Liam McDermott and Shunny Cramsey proceeds to the Donegal Hospice Huey's Corner and the intellectual disability play area in Cairndonna that's Sunday 4th of June in each tractor run with entertainment live in the marquee at Malon Stables this ad is kindly sponsored by Milbrook Joinery Malon Now a new survey has suggested that the rise in the cost of living is having a significant effect on people's holiday plans this year according to the survey of 2008 people conducted in May 2023 by leading property website myhome.ie nearly half of prospective home buyers that's 47% so there are holidaying different this year because of the cost of living crisis Joanne Geary is managing director of myhome.ie and is that the big takeaway start there Joanne good morning to you Morning Greg and yeah I think this survey was very interesting for us to do you know as we can see the cost of living crisis is having a significant impact you know in a number of different aspects of our lives but now it's also affecting the holiday market what was interesting to me was as you say almost 50% said they're holidaying differently but 63% of the 2000 respondents told us that they think that holidaying abroad represents better value than staying in Ireland and I think we can see that certainly you know when you also read about the numbers going through the the various airports you know over the last number of weeks that would hold true and also what we're seeing on the site is that inquiries for holiday homes in particular have been up pretty dramatically in the year and that's what prompted us to do this survey so my home would have over 2600 rental holiday home rentals listings on the site and you know from various kind of different price points and lots of different choice there but we're seeing a big increase in inquiries for those holiday homes in Ireland even though people are generally saying that they would expect that there's better value abroad they're also telling us that 46% of us they're telling us that they would rather rent a holiday home than stay in a hotel again you know cost savings, cost to living crisis driving that feedback and I wonder how much of this is perception and sentiment if you know what I mean that in some way someone might feel that they're looking to buy a home sure we'll stay in Ireland and have a few days away when really in reality if you say they probably could go abroad for cheaper do you know what I mean I wonder how much of it's researched out and how much of it is sort of when you're in that nesting mode if you know what I mean yeah I think what we can clearly see is people are doing the research you know and they're looking for deals and they're looking for that value for money piece we can certainly see that in terms of stats that we would have on my home in terms of the number of searches and the time on the site that they would spend researching holiday homes on the site so people are being careful they're certainly voting with their their pockets you know they're voting you know 63% of them are saying abroad and they're also voting for holiday homes and I think generally people would do the research you know would stack up okay if I'm staying in a holiday home maybe I can eat in a couple of evenings you know I'll be saving some you know some of my hard-earned cash in that respect as well especially for families or people traveling in groups they do tend to prefer you know a holiday home solution to their to their holiday well it's likely if you go abroad you're going to stay in an apartment if you've got a couple of children even you know a relatively spacious one it's it's awkward living for a week or 10 days don't we go on one of the top holiday destinations for is that for and some people hate this phrase staycations or for or generally right across the tourism industries mostly people traveling within Ireland is it yeah I mean we asked our survey respondents you know in Ireland if they were staying in Ireland just give us your top three preferred locations and Donegal, Galway and Curry were the three so great to see Donegal up there obviously a great holiday destination for people and interestingly I was looking on the site on my own this morning and we have 76 holiday homes available to rent in Donegal still at the moment for the summer and a variety of prices there you know I just looked at a few listings actually so up in the downings really nice beach location you know you can get a three bed chalet rental there during the summer for 639 euro but that looked like good value and another really nice beach run property the beach house in Maroarty I'm not pronouncing that right Maroarty you're not far off it go on ahead yeah okay so that was 811 euros for a week a nice three bed family type property beautifully presented on the size and really good value a lovely quaint updated cottage in Cancassla for 411 euro per week that's a three bed so you know people are doing that research they're seeing the value there you know and I just picked those three locations yeah I get you you know it's a good sense and just to give you a favor you know okay now there's cheaper than that there's more expensive than that depending on what you're after but good good value there I thought you know and certainly a lot of stocks 76 listings so there should be something for everybody on the slide all right Joanne thanks so much for your time Joanne Geary managing director of myhome.ie a call I said here I'm really upset my house insurance was 339 euro last year and this year I got a quote for 1374 that's effectively a thousand euro increase when I rang my bank they stated that they agreed it was pretty high but there was nothing they can do and didn't provide me with any excuse just that it has to be paid now can I say one thing firstly here the relationship with your bank and who you get your home insurance get that out of your head get onto a website if you can't we'll help you if you want to give us a ring one of our team will help you here to get a sense of cheaper house insurance there lots of people have experienced huge jumps in their house insurance but if you shop around you should get close to what you paid for last year I've done it I know people around me have done it and others have done it so A make sure you know exactly what your rebuild cost would be to your actual rebuild cost not your value of your house to rebuild cost and B ring around and if you need a bit of help with that please get in touch with us and we'll help you because I don't want you worried for no reason whatsoever I can't guarantee that you can get cheaper but it is unless you've claimed or something I don't know did you make a claim and now you're trapped in on that if you did that might be something of a problem but you say I've never paid more than 400 euro for my insurance so this has greatly upset me and has me worried about my own home and costs is anyone else experiencing this there are a lot of people in the home insurance market you can shop around there are websites that you can go on put in your details and it'll come back with your best quote if you haven't made a claim and if you're still stuck and you need some help with it please get back in contact with us and we'll try and help it shouldn't be that high and as I say if you haven't made a claim you should be able to get it much much cheaper but I can't guarantee that but I would hope that that would be the case and could eliminate some of the worry for you okay back with more after the news and obituary notices mum hi I'm at the guarder station but it's nothing I told this girl I was seeing for a while that I put shots of her up online shots she sent me so they're mine really I only said I'd do it but the guards are saying that's a crime now it's not my fault mum then do anything I I only said I would threatening to share intimate images is a crime with serious consequences contact your local guarder station if you need to report it brought to you by the government of Ireland why did I choose Ulster I wanted a university who could give me the biggest possible future but also the best possible time now somewhere I could make friends and have good crack but also to set me up for the best job possible I'm planning to take up one of the study of broad options and then my big plan is to specialise in media law in LA but for now N.I. has one of the lowest student living costs in the UK so night markets here I come learn why over 30,000 students choose Ulster at ulster.ac.uk slash go north apply now for this September planning on renovating your garden this summer then look no further than dalesite garden furniture with a full range of sizes and garden sheds wooden and steel summer houses playhouses outdoor canopies fencing and much more find us on social media made to measure and one-off designs or our speciality call today on 087 double one two four seven double six recently engaged and planning your wedding if so they encourage summer wedding showcase takes place this June Bank Holiday Monday from 12 till 6 come along and we are stunning wedding venue and meet our dedicated wedding team this Bank Holiday Monday at Anchorage Hotel is your home or motor insurance up for renewal now is the time to check if your policy still offers you the right cover and the right fit at the right price to be sure you're getting the best deal take this opportunity to shop around it's easier than you think simply contact your insurer or broker today remember don't just renew review for more information visit understandinginsurance.ie brought to you by Insurance Ireland live on air online and on the Highland Radio app this is Highland Radio News Good morning I'm Akilah Clark with the news at 10 o'clock the doll has been told that it would be impossible for a single person on the median wage in Donegal to buy a house in the county Deputy Thomas Pringle told TDs that based on recent CSO figures which showed Donegal still has the lowest income in the state he sat down with some mortgage calculator programs and started looking at a state agents to see what could be bought Deputy Pringle says his findings were stark the median Donegal weekly wage translates to 26,889 euro per annum a single person on this wage with no dependents and no monthly outgoings at all may be eligible for a mortgage of 89,000 euro I look to see how many homes were for sale in the entire county of Donegal 35 were available for under 100,000 euros four were available for under 75,000 euro and I'm sure there's no stretch of the imagination to picture how derelicts are known for habitation these four would be without considerable renovation and expenditures a letter Kenny Milford Municipal District Cancer says he's flabbergasted after Iske Aaron told him that the water supply at Ross Bracken Manor Cunningham did not make the cut for inclusion in the 2023 mains rehabilitation program and that there are no plans to replace mains in the area this year Cancer Jeremy Monaghal says there needs to be more accountability and that he will be pursuing the matter at the highest level he says given that there have been two outages in the past seven days alone his question what needs to be done in order for work to be carried out I sent an email off requesting that information what needs to happen for an area to make the cut as they put it I'll take it as high as I can get it within Irish water but I think there needs to be some government intervention here someone has to be able to hold Irish water to account and that needs to happen very very quickly a post-mortem will be carried out today on the body of a young man who died in a jet ski accident in County Clare the body of the 19-year-old was recovered from the water of Loch Derg close to the bridge at Kililow last night two girls were also on the jet ski when it flipped over however they were wearing life jackets and managed to make it to the shore with the help of bystanders Keirlock of Clare County Council Cancer Tony O'Brien says the young man was a visitor to the area our thoughts and prayers are definitely with his family and his friends and everybody that knows him at a sad time it's it's a terrible terrible time for them I believe he was just a visitor um and that would that would be quite common we do have a lot of visitors to the area who would launch their crafts either in Balana or at Belly Coghren where their slip was available for them the Keirlock of the initial municipal district has described works approved for Newton County him as a game changer Donegal County Council has given the go-ahead for works as part of the Tynes Main Street active travel project improvement and upgrade works are to be carried out and traffic calming measures installed Cancer Paul Canning says once complete in Newton County him will hugely reap the benefits Street is very low and a lot of vehicles use it because anybody's coming from Derry through the Calais road will come through Newton and there's a lot of vehicles in that street we have about six raised tables to call them and that will slow down the the traffic this system is also to encourage people to walk more than in the vehicles and also a lot of the footpaths are getting ready to shoot people go in the school Farmers say their worried rewetting plans will lead to land values being slashed the EU wants Ireland to start saturating peatland to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions it's part of the nature restoration law which hopes to restore at least 20 percent of the EU's damaged land and sea areas by 2030 but the Irish Natura and Health Farmers Association says rewetted peatlands could result in the market price of upland and bog falling dramatically Declan O'Brien news correspondent with the Irish Farmers Journal says farmers are worried about who would want to buy flooded lands there's going to be um a devaluing of the asset value of the farmers lands that are selling now for six seven eight thousand an acre they will go back in value how far back they will go nobody knows but who's going to want to own a bog outside of the state potentially that is effectively rewet weather and I am mostly sunny day today with Clyde clearing this afternoon top temperatures of 21 to 26 degrees that's all from Highland radio news for now we'll be back with an update again at 11 o'clock until then good morning the obituary notice is for this Thursday morning at June the first the death has occurred of Leanne Marie Stapleton in Greensboro North Carolina USA formerly Kilklinny Port New County Donegal her remains were opposed at her family home in Kilklinny from two o'clock until nine o'clock today and tomorrow funeral from there on Saturday morning at half past 10 to St Connell's church Kilklinny for 11 o'clock recreation mass with burial afterwards in the old abbey cemetery Donegal town family flowers only please donations in lay of desire to the Kevin Bell repatriation fund care of any family member Leanne's funeral mass can be viewed live on Shovland's funeral home Facebook page the death has occurred in her 106 year of Rosie Keeney named McLeod late of Parkview High's Care Home Castle Derg and formerly of Hawthorne Park Castle Derg proposing at Lynch's funeral home Castle Derg removal from the funeral home this afternoon at quarter to three to arrive at St Patrick's Church Castle Derg at three o'clock to repose overnight recreation mass will be celebrated tomorrow at 12 noon in term and afterwards in the adjoining church yard the death has taken place of Mary Heritage Nate Bradley Castle Park, Bunkranna remains reposing at her residence removal from there to more warning at half past nine going to St Mary's Oratory, Bunkranna for 10 o'clock recreation mass with burial afterwards in Cock Hill Cemetery the service can be viewed online at churchservices.tv family flowers only please donations if desired to the Donegal Hospice care of any family member or McLaughlin and McLaughlin funeral directors the death has occurred of Danny Malley Farragans Lecture Mac Award his remains are reposing at his late residence funeral mass this morning at 11 o'clock in St Bridget's Church Lecture Mac Award with interment afterwards in the old cemetery family flowers only please donations if desired to the intensive care unit letter Kenny University Hospital care of any family member or Shawn McLaughlin funeral director the death has taken place of Alice Brue name a cue old Carter and Sligo and late of Francis County Donegal reposing at Sean Feely's funeral home Carter and Cross Sligo from half past seven this evening removal at half past eight to St Joseph's Church Ballet Tivnin Sligo mass of the resurrection at half past two to more afternoon burial afterwards in Sligo Cemetery funeral mass will be live streamed on church TV dot IE family home private please family flowers only donations and live desire to the Northwest Hospice Fund or the Irish Heart Foundation care of Sean Feely's funeral home Sligo and the death has taken place of Stephen Montgomery Ballymore Don Fannahy his remains are opposing at his late residence funeral service in his family home at Ballymore tomorrow at 12 noon burial afterwards in Ballymore graveyard family time please from 10 o'clock until 11 o'clock family flowers only please donations and live desire to the Donegal Hospice care of any family member or James Harkin Funal Directors for more details including any family health guidelines for wakes and funerals please go to heinanvideo.com they might have been your best buddies since you were babies they might be the only one who knows about that thing you did they might be your boo your home girl your moochacho but you've just got six deliciously crisp chicken McNuggets so you have to ask yourself are they McNugget worthy served after 11 a.m. subject to availability with all the stories that matter across the northwest it's Greg Hughes on the 90 noon show on Highland Radio you're very welcome back to the program I just want to let you know that the Lyford Health Centre GP surgery phone lines are down this due to an internet outage the surgery can't make or accept accept calls at the moment should you need to reach them please contact the following mobile number it's<PHONE_NUMBER> so the landline for the Lyford Health Centre GP surgery is down at the moment a caller says I'll use chill insurance comparison website I was given six or seven different quotes and saved myself 630 euro my quote was 980 and I paid 350 and that sounds about right so for that person that was stressed out about an extra 1,000 euro for Bill please go on to a comparison website and as I say it's possible you don't have access to the internet if we need to help you to relieve that stress on you in terms of searching or helping you in some way or other please get back in contact with us but you should be able to save money shopping around and maybe even possibly save money on what you were paying last year Paul McLaughlin of Ballard Dure Garden Centre is taking your gardening questions after 11 so we're in the full swing of things now no fear of frost or anything like that but we're in a drier spell of weather there's not going to be rain now there hasn't been for a week and there's no rain forecast for another 10 days so that creates a different set of problems potentially in the garden and around it on your window sills inside your apartment or your flat or on your little balcony whatever it might be any questions for Paul McLaughlin get them into us now if you don't mind to 08 660 25000 and the reason being I want to be able to answer every question that comes in a caller said I priced a hotel in Arden the expense is crazy the choice of hotels has been restricted because many of them are used to house refugees I can go to Thailand pay paying 600 euro for flights and 130 euro for a hotel a hotel here wants 840 euro for two nights another wants 600 euro for the Friday and 700 for the Saturday now the bottom line is is at that price hotels are not an option who could or would pay 600 euro for a bed and that's effectively what a hotel is isn't it you get out of the bed and you bang your knees off the cupboard where you're supposed to put your clothes but you never put them in there because you can't afford to stay there any longer and you know the tea made or whatever it might be called you know it's ridiculous like I if I'm if I have said this before and you know maybe people think I'm tight I don't know but I can't find it in my heart to pay any more than 200 and that would be an absolute once off for a concert in Dublin or something I don't know how people can fund hotel stays for 840 euro for two nights my mortgage is up 300 euro since last year yet my wages have remained the same is that 300 a month if it is that's 3600 euro of a pay cut effectively because you don't pay down the capital any quicker that's just extra interest payments it's like dead money it's crazy isn't it that the system but that's the way it is a caller says if you rent out a house full-time the house deteriorates and you have to pay for repairs tenants have rights and you cannot get the house back if they don't pay rent it's more hassle than short-term renting Thomas is wrong in thinking of making the people do the government's job Donegal is dependent on tourism yet the hotels are full of refugees well the half full in Donegal if you remove tourism people will lose their jobs hands off private property they say another hi Greg I don't think it's fair that tax has to be paid on inheritance gift especially a house where tax was already paid on building materials and property tax etc sometimes the person inheriting has to sell because they cannot afford the tax yes indeed you will get someone who is gifted a plot of land and the tax could be 60, 90,000 euro they don't have anything and they can't accept the land reprices in Ireland you can have a week in Glasgow City Hotel for the same cost as a weekend in Sligo Ireland is a rip-off they say another hi Greg totally agree with your sentiments about higher tax for Airbnb the public have to pay the price for government failures to provide public housing there to blame for it it was our own fault for electing them such a statement it's the same old story fair play for sticking it to Thomas Pringle and it's anyone any elected politician they're in a position and you know we'll question them and it's a healthy debate Greg mentioned Thomas Pringle what next will the government be allowed to come into your house and take half the food in your fridge will the new housing referendum wording will potentially allow the government to take you out of your house where it's deemed to be more than your needs I hope people understand this this is not government you know there's a lot of people in government against this this is a proposal that's stalled as far as I'm aware from people before profit this is not actually government legislation as they say I think they're trying to actually block this legislation but I noticed on some telegram channels and elsewhere unless I'm very much mistaken it's been shared as a government policy to effectively to be able to take your house off you but my understanding is it's a a just a motion from people before profit and there is little to zero appetite in government for this but anyway I'll read on the new housing referendum wording will potentially allow the government to take you out of your house where it's deemed to be more than your needs transfer you to a smaller property and give it to a resident of the country not a citizen a residence that's the type of lunacy that makes up the government ethos in its duty of care to citizens again I'm going to dig into that my understanding is is that's an opposition party propositioner one the government is not in agreements with oh my god Greg I can't believe what I'm hearing this morning I wonder does himself have extra property he has a nerve is there not enough tax on people i.e property tax we all have to pay this the government needs to get a grip and sort the housing problems this is going on for years and years and yet the government did no checks proper checks and assessments in the quarries and look where that has left poor people that can't afford to pay big money to mend the situation this has left a complete and utter mess in housing the way it stands homelessness is a big mega mess the poor people of Ireland again to sort out government problems and it's just important to note that the level of homelessness in the northwest here any person homeless is one too many is actually on the decline it declined month on month the prop the homelessness crisis is contrary to what of course but it is primarily centered on Dublin and the rate of homelessness per 100,000 people in Donegal is much lower there has been a slight increase you know what while I'm here I might rather than pontificate off the top of my head I'll give you the statistics here the level of homelessness in Donegal and the northwest has decreased month on month by eight it increased by 67 though over a year 60 percent of homeless people in Ireland are Irish by the way again I thought that an interesting statistic I don't know what it means but the rate of homelessness in the northwest here is approximately for every 100,000 people in the population 106 are homeless now that figure might not take into consideration those who are bonking in someone else's house or couch surfing but that's the actual statistics for this area for every 100,000 people 106 are homeless and there has been a slight decrease month on month on the level of homeless now I'm not in any way trying to say this not a problem I'm just so there's I do like to sort of put facts out there in case it helps Hi Greg have one beside me this must be an Airbnb no planning for these and had a party of 15 partying all night lovely that comes in from machine yeah okay I totally agree and a crackdown on Airbnb houses the one next to me was converted into two flats and from Thursday night to Monday morning it's a party house well you see that's how they're running their Airbnb as well because you can put in rules and regulations and you know I think because there's a person next to you who's effectively running a party house in the weekend is that justification for a crackdown on everyone that's providing Airbnb accommodation it would seem like an over reaction I think that needs to be looked at and call the guards as well you're entitled to your peace and sleep you know Greg use water from your dryer in your steam iron slot keep it in a bottle no problem with brown blobs then your clothes on your clothes when arning I'm lucky enough that I have good water and I don't have that problem but okay thank you I'll pass that on to Lee Gooch because he has a problem with brown spots Thomas is an on the fence man say so listener and other the problem here is that people did not elect this government it's proportional representation and you know as I say a lot of people elected independence and they opted chose not to go into government to try and affect change from within for their own reasons and the they get elected or deselected on those grounds a caller says I don't have property to rent but I don't think it's fair to punish people using their property for Airbnb it's less headaches and cost for the owners and other fair play holding the Irish government to account and asking Mr Pringle the difficult questions the Irish government's answer to absolutely everything is up the tax and people are sick of it you know and even in I heard this morning even in a country that we're the 26th most wealthy country in the world can you believe that or the strongest economy and we know there's a separation between us here on the ground and where this money is we don't feel it do we we don't see it in our services we don't see it in the housing we don't see it in health you know I mean that's the truth I'm not I don't think I'm saying anything controversial here yes there's been great advances in certain areas a lot of work to do but I beck are saying now is the time to increase taxes on people and we've got calls in the paper today to tax older people more because God forgive them for living longer and want to retire and actually have some time to themselves when when they're not breaking the back so we've got this situation where the country has never been richer we're told a lot of things have never been worse and we have organizations and think tanks calling for tax now extra tax now it's crazy we're all paying extra for our petrol and diesel this morning why you know the government made more money on petrol and diesel over the last year than it had in previous years because the price was high and they get more vat from that this is just this this it's like living in an alternative universe I'm disabled and I have no income says listener this listener I plan to rent my house an Airbnb to make some money over the summer why does Thomas Pringle want to reduce my potential only income build social housing hands off mind they say and on they come in right let's take a break for the bingo numbers we'll be back shortly the county's number one talk show the nine till noon show on Highland radio it's time for NCBI bingo on Highland radio it's Thursday the first of June jackpot day you're playing for the jackpot prize of 17,500 euro on the pink sheet the reference number is s9 it's game number 22 the jackpot number is 39 this number can come out in any position from the next 10 numbers drawn and now here are your daily numbers 43 78 27 34 71 88 1 42 82 and finally 66 phone your claim to 9104833 before eight tonight leave in your name contact number and the name of the shop where you purchase your book and we'll call you back the next working day get all your NCBI bingo information at Highland radio.com we examine rising diesel prices and Ireland leads the way in sustainable farming read our exclusive interview with the EU commissioner for agriculture all in this week's Irish farmers journal on sale now 9122 700 for your free delivery okay you're very welcome back to the program we welcome on to the program now the founder of website autismdad.ie John Joe McGinley good to have you back on the show John Joe thanks for taking the time out well good morning Greg and good morning to all your listeners and thank you so much for having me on the show I really appreciate it right okay we're going to be talking about July provision now and and we'll talk specifically about the situation that you're encountering but I want to widen the conversations so that everybody understands it and they have other parents and guardians are affected that they can get involved in the conversation so as best you can John Joe describe to us what the July provision is July provision is something that's given to children with additional needs and my boy elders but that with two boys with autism and the eldest boy James was applying for the July provision he's had it every year from school what happens is the at the end of the school year they are normally allocated two weeks of additional school support this is provided by a special needs assistant or a teacher who can then help them transition from that period of adjustment into the school holidays which can be a major impact for children on the autism spectrum who rely on that routine okay so the the end of the school term would be seen like as a cliff edge and this is a a period of time to transition to the that where things change routine change they're not going to school for the rest of the summer holidays and it's also to help build on some of the weaker aspects that they may have within their educational or even their their social makeup it can be about focusing on a Pacific thing like a like maths it could also be about just to socialize the child the help and the other thing is it's a bit of a respite for the parents as well but I think the key aspect for it is it's it's something that has been very very beneficial for children with additional needs especially autism it helps with that socialization it can also in a more one-to-one environment give them that little boost in certain areas of weakness that can be discussed in advance with parents teachers and then it's all about getting the right person to help them be it through socialization or even through that additional educational requirement okay so who makes the so reliant on parents sorry John Joe who makes the call then is it the school is it the Department of Education is this like something you have to apply for and it's allocated or is it at the discretion of the school principal and their staffing resources so and as I say we'll get to your specific case shortly but I just want to get a broader understanding of it's a it's a combination of all three schools can especially the the junior schools can actually provide two weeks in house so again it's a transition for the children that they're in an environment that they're very well used to but also as the children go get older and also if the school doesn't have the facilities to provide the July provision in house you can apply for in-home July provision where you can apply to the education department for that two week period and then you have to go and source be a special needs assistant or even somebody with the educational requirements to then offer that support to the child in the home and that can really help with the socialisation because again in that two week period not only can you have that educational balance and that uplift you can also get the child out and about social situations it might sound simple but for children with autism even just being in a cafe ordering food for themselves is a major step it's a milestone it's something that that really builds their self-esteem helps them to socialise reduces the anxiety and that's the key thing because during that long period of the the school break where routines are out of kilter anxiety can increase within children so any support that's offered even for such a short period is so welcomed by the parents and also so appreciated by the children so it's a combination of all three where the school can decide if they have the resources and if not you can apply for in-house at home July provision now the whole purpose of this conversation too is always to get an education Junjo for those who aren't aware but also really to tell people that if you are refused don't necessarily just accept that as the final answer so what was your situation with you and your boys? I think the key thing is if you're a parent of any child with additional needs you have to become an advocate you might not want to be you might not have the skill set or even sometimes the confidence but it will grow over time and you have to become that advocate and we became the advocate for our eldest boy when they were actually he was actually refused the in-home two-week July provision after we'd actually sourced a special needs assistant from his school who was willing and able to provide that two-week support now the education department had deemed that because there was an existing summer school in his high school that that was sufficient and that meant that he didn't qualify for the additional two weeks of July provision now the key thing for our child is that he suffers from OCD and extreme anxiety which is very very common in young teenagers with autism so as everything as over the years when you have to realise you have to fight for everything in this state for our children with special needs we didn't accept that refusal we went back to them and highlighted that the whole reason that he was going to participate in the two-week summer school at his existing high school was for that socialisation to try and overcome that anxiety and he might not even be able for it he might even after a couple of days decide that it's too it's too overwhelming it's too intense for him we went back and stated that we also identified the key areas where he was suffering from anxiety and OCD and how that impacts and gets worse over the long summer period and how he could regress as well too you make that point which I think is a really important point it's not about standing still it's the fact that he could regress in the absence of this provision yes it was fundamentally important he's had it since he was a young child and thankfully with the very fact that we mentioned your show we mentioned the TDs and we worked very closely with the school to go back to the education department and they very very quickly changed their mind and the moral of the story is that any parent with children with additional needs if you are giving a refusal for be it for diagnosis be it for support be it from the education department we should we have to be the advocates for our children we are their voice they are they are entitled to this support as citizens of the state not only to deserve it they're entitled to it and we have to be that voice but do you find John show that you find we can get to the that we'll finish up with the how you can urge me but do you find with people dealing with everyday life you know we've been talking about on the program today cost living maybe the extra challenges of having a child or children with additional needs that they feel jaded for the fight do you know what I mean that they go I just don't think I can sort of start entering into a back and forwards email Tete Tete with the department of education do you come across that that people just you know just feel they can't fight another fight I think it's very very common and fatigue is there you know most parents with children with special needs they're not our only child so we have a family life we have we have the same challenges as everybody else and there's also increased costs that are brought about by support that you have to have in for a child with additional needs and it can lead to adjading but you then have to look at your child and you have to look at how you want to make sure that they can progress as best as possible and not regress and regardless of how jaded you might feel and if anybody's ever had to fill out a form for support for their children they know what I'm talking about and how jaded they can actually make you you just have to pick yourself up and look at the bigger picture and the bigger picture is that we're the voice of our children and if we stay silent they're not going to get the support that they require and deserve yeah so what's your final part in advice then for parents? I think the most important advice for parents is not to be alone I think if any out there who is looking for support for their children they have to create a support network you can do that face to face with other parents but more importantly you're not alone join the many Facebook groups that are out there you can also look for information from my website autismdad.ie join as many Facebook groups as you possibly can and the most important part about it is to realise that you're not alone create a diary of what the requirements are for your child look at the support that that diary means that they have to have and write down the key individuals that can help you get that support be it the Child Disability Network team be it CAMHS be it your local politician make sure that for every need that your child has you have a route to get that support for them and the most important thing is never ever accept the word no from anybody because our child are citizens of this country and they deserve the support that they're entitled to all right well I'm very glad that you for you and your son particularly that you were isolated yeah in terms of your success with the Department of Education so thanks very much for joining us good to speak to you again John Jones well thank you very much Greg and everybody have a fantastic day thank you so much bye bye that's John Jones McGinley Fander of Autism Dad.ie Hello Summer, Hello Sunshine, Hello to a fantastic range of summer bedding, baskets and containers lovingly grown in Lettercanny at Alcorn's Garden Centre Choose from thousands of perfect plants and shrubs with expert advice and everything you need to plant and care for them open every day and now accepting shop LK vouchers Alcorn's Revalu grows every day Time is ticking on the sizzling summer sale at Easy Living Furniture with absolutely everything reduced now is the time to spruce up your space with stylish furniture and unbeatable savings from cozy sofas to elegant timing sets we have the perfect pieces to transform your home but hurry this sizzling sale ends this Sunday Don't miss out on the hottest prices of the season Visit Easy Living Furniture presently Retail Park Summer sale now on in Milford Tiles 20% off Wall and Floor Tiles 15% off All Bathware 10% off All Wood Flooring Footers and delivery service available Call Milford Tiles on<PHONE_NUMBER> Be there and show your colors in Croke Park this Saturday June 3rd for the GAA Ring Record and Marr Hurling Finals It's Dairy vs Meath in the Christie Ring Cup Final at 5 Donnie Gall take on Wicklow and the Nicky Record Cup Final at 3 and it's Monahan vs Lancashire and the Lorrie Marr Cup Final at 1 These are our countries these are our colors Advanced ticket sales only Get yours at gaa.ie or select at Centra and Super Value Stores GAA where we all below Okay we're going to head now to Balabafe and we're speaking to Tracy Alexander owner of a shop that everyone will be familiar with is a great shop in Balabafe it's Alexander's of Balabafe Tracy thanks for joining us and good morning to you Good morning Greg how you doing? I'm okay I'm alright Now you know often when we talk about traffic disruptions and omelettes and eggs and all that kind of stuff we're speaking really maybe solely as motorists but as a business person has your business been severely impacted by the ongoing works in the Twin Towns? It has Greg it has others and everybody's business really has been affected and the last few weeks really have been a nice move and I spoke with one of the local restaurant owners there just recently and he said I mean these are the worst weeks he's had since Covid you know it's been it has been tough yeah I mean there's two things going on northbound traffic you know you don't want to stop is there a parking space you want to just make sure you get through and there's a huge reduction in southbound traffic as well because I think the majority of traffic is going around Balabafé really That's right that's right and then we also have the fact that local people you know some of them we do have quite an elderly community here in Balabafé in Stranora and you know it's difficult the one way system now I'm not it's brilliant it's very good but some people do find that difficult they're out of their normal way of working of going wherever they usually go and the whole town is kind of upset if you like the whole town has a huge towing ache really everybody's upset everywhere yeah but it's kind of bittersweet isn't it because I think you've been full of praise for local people for making the effort even if it takes a little bit more time to continue to shop local absolutely absolutely as always in Balabafé I mean we have an we have an amazing community here we have an amazing local community and we have an amazing business community here in Balabafé so we're all trying to support each other as much as we can local people again are fantastic and I think and I put out a Facebook post there recently just about the guys here and the town here doing their work not only the work and the traffic management the real traffic management I've actually never seen anything like it it has been running so smoothly and I think that's actually all down to guys that are doing it they're it's really a it's astounding they're they're so how does it they're so helpful to everybody to motorists they're so quick to spot where a traffic jam could happen or even the last day I was thinking I had to go down and just an order down past the Fun Valley Centre and out at Dreaming are you familiar with that road? Yes too familiar to let you go on, yeah so it's been a nightmare getting out at the top of that road but the next day I went down they had two guys there doing road traffic management they see things and they act on them I mean it's just been amazing and the work is actually going really quickly they hope to be off the streets now I think this weekend because we have a huge weekend and time this weekend with we have athletics we have football we have blessing degrees we have there's two big weddings I think as well in town local weddings you know so we have a lot going on and so it's actually really tracing an important message you know because people change their travel habits when there's long-term road work so effectively all being well fingers crossed Balaba Faust and all are open for business for this busy holiday weekend yeah absolutely and another thing as well that I think local people maybe weren't aware of is the road works are going on I think I think it's eight to nine months but that's not eight to nine months on the main street you know there's maybe six weeks in the main street they're moving now in behind Alice Bonner's shop there in Sternorder that's where the next section is you know there's different sections all over the place so it's not just on the main street yeah they do and I think credit where it's due is Jennings O'Donovan engineers and Wodenburg contractors and we can be critical and you want to be appraising of them so that's good before we move on Alexander Tracy do you think that businesses as part of a contract should be considered you know you referred this or referenced this being like COVID do you think or is it unrealistic to sort of suggest that maybe I don't know a break on commercial rates or water rates or or some sort of state support is that would that be too much to ask when there is definitely going to be long-term disruption to businesses no I don't think it would be correct to be honest I mean businesses have really they've had so hard this year you know we had the wages increased in January which was quite significant and the rates bills are all actually coming out we've all been re-rated this year and the rates bills are coming out you know we have water bills coming you know and everything's getting more expensive but yet our take-ins aren't going up because obviously we've been affected yeah you know and I mean that's not just me I mean there's we don't have a huge amount of businesses in this turn order but they have been really badly affected because nobody's going to stop you know yeah yeah yeah and listen it's not hard to work at any you can look at the bottom line from one month to the next and on on previous years so you know yourself you know yourself the drop-off in footfall or passing trade the impact it has okay right so it's a mixed message it's been a tough time but credit where it's due and on to better and brighter days is that an assessment Tracy oh absolutely and another thing as well is that our local chamber of commerce is we have a great chamber of commerce here in town and they have been great at liaising with the contractors and the engineers so we have been updated we've been getting emails and text messages constantly to let us know what's happened which has been fantastic that has been a great bonus it's even for your staff to let them know like listen the streets closed tomorrow morning you know come in some other way or something as simple as that you know so that's been a huge part of it as well but I know we're so grateful for all the local people you know for still coming into time and supporting us you know which is great so tell us why should we call into Alexander's of Balabafay what can we get oh Alexander's a big place to be Greg you have to go to Alexander's is it for all you everything needs yeah okay you can get everything you can get lots of different stuff can't you absolutely downstairs we have grocery and we have convenience and bits and pieces we also sell coal and animal feed and then upstairs we have a beautiful coffee shop we just opened the coffee shop of course at the start of the pandemic we'd realized there was a pandemic coming we probably wouldn't have done it but we have a lovely coffee shop upstairs and we sell books and gifts some nice little bits of furniture and the staff our staff are amazing that's why you want to come to Alexander's because they go the extra mile they're brilliant all right good stuff right okay it was worth coming on is that a good enough reason to call in hey come here I'm all about supporting business well done to you Tracy and I love your I love your I love your realistic balanced approach you know what I mean and providing credit where it's due as well Tracy continued success there and hopefully now two lanes open up and down traffic and it's a great weekend for everyone all right Tracy bye bye take care of yourself lovely to speak to you Tracy that's Tracy of Alexander's of Balaba Faye Councillor Patrick McGowan joins us now Councillor Gowan Good morning I mean obviously it has been it is an interesting proposition isn't it you know when there's clearly going to be some disruption to business incomes if the council could work with them on rates or something of those along those lines to accept that you know it's a pain in the bum for a motorist but you know it's a pain in the pocket for for businesses it's not is do you think anything like could possibly be looked at I don't see it happening from the council point of view but it's certainly from the government to look at maybe one of these one of these big jobs these big national primary road jobs or or like what's going on there in Larrakema here previously it happened in Balaba Faye but even some of our smaller towns and villages they're in the schooly way back a couple of years ago like it was a shop there like and like for nearly nine months like they were virtually closed or barriers up around it and and I would say it was a lot worse than tough to be sent they lost a lot more and and you know an end like it's loose the costum at the end the fact that you you still have the same overheads the bills the staff and then the council comes with the red so I think it's something should be built onto these these big contracts you know where you're on the streets for for a long long time and we obviously had that but there's a big change this year is to say from from a couple of years ago when the big jobs come on they've only got a road in to Balaba Faye and then what's been going on for the last five or six weeks and even if it was done even if it was done retrospectively do you know what I mean that a business could prove a loss of earnings they wouldn't all be met by government but you know what I mean that there would there would be some sort of a compensation because it is they that are making some of the greatest sacrifices what is the situation then into the how this work is progressing they seem to be cracking on with it at a great pace once they get off the main street is that the back broken of it do you think or what's the story oh it is it definitely has no that that a couple of years ago we got an upgrade there of the sherry statement plant now it's a massive big new statement probably one of the best in the county and it's a it's both for the future it's not for I'm not sure in many thousand people I think it's around nine thousand that's both for the problem was particularly in stanarder there was quite a few businesses flooded up there over the years and properties where the old sewer and the storm drain were mixed together and this was a priority so there's a massive job that's gone for about a year now and there'll be more worked on around navney around the fun park new pumps and new pipe and but the the main that's the main street in stanarder now is all bespanished this weekend they're moving on now and to as I say and to andy's alice bonus shop down the back of that and they're going up the back of the buildings there up up across some keys hotel on the back and right up to the top of the street so that's all off the street now now the world will occasionally have to come back out for for joining up on pipes and that but no the as you see yourself the back of it's broke now literally on the world they come out to see out the fun park there's a there's a job there's new pumping station out there to service all them houses it's under pressure at the moment and they have to take a new pipe and by navney and down by chestnut road there and and past fun park that'll be done later on but this this is the biggest inconvenience and as I say it's gone very well but one of the reasons and the place you talked about there there was good communication for over a year ago with the chamber of commerce ourselves in the council and and uh I was water that this is what brought this down and there was good communications beforehand plans this this one way system was agreed about a year ago we actually thought this job would start earlier but even the time of the job was agreed when the the best time of the year when it wouldn't be too busy or too quiet you know I mean before the summer rush and and kind of the whole thing was well planned and it was well executed which which they sent together but it's good praise too to the the way the chamber of commerce in the town they kept updating the businesses every day any wee problems were tweaked and I must say that the people and and the contractors they were very amenable they answered the phone straight away and when there's a long tail backing out they've only got a road because before the work started in Balvae as we know the traffic jams are ready there in the morning and in the evening so it's how to manage it so look I certainly wouldn't be against the huge build on that of costing to so the compensating some of the business some of the small business could not carry that it's what we're asking when next time we have the the business minister on we'll ask them it's the two-way traffic it's not a big figure it's the two-way traffic in Stranola just for the weekend or for longer so you know hopefully it's going to be longer now longer okay it's going to be longer that they're out there now the road now now they do have to come back out onto the street just for the turn of none intersects and stuff at the Alice Bonner Serges there'll be maybe a stop go over something like that but they they hope now to have it all family savings going well they're on schedule okay well they've got the weather for it anyway a caller says doesn't it prove what a bypass would do to the shops in Balabafe you'd drive it would drive them all out of the town you just wouldn't stop I disagree with that though because I think I don't think so I think to be honest with you if there was less through traffic it would be more attractive place to drive into and shop now some bypasses kill some towns they don't kill the other I think Balabafe Stranola would actually benefit greatly from it I think they could well I don't think this proves anything in that regard there will be there will be challenges and the town will have to change with it and prepare and hope to ride them the other thing is when the T.A.I. are no longer in charge of the road in Balabafe do you see the likes of the entrance there to Shopping Centre there at going to McLeanies and you see there at the bank of Ireland and up there and up at where Lidl is we'll be able to start putting on roundabouts and different things the locally in the council we can't do nothing at home about park there's a lot of things where our hands are tied because the T.A.I. decids the way the town is they want to travel them through where when the town is bypassed we will be able to change to make it more customer friendly pedestrianized areas and do a lot more hopefully then it'll be good shopping space they'll kind of enjoy the day and there are parks now for more plaza areas and family friendly as you shop so look we'll meet them challenges from the column and we do need the bypass call us us there's a serious pothole at the junction between Charles Charles Bonner's factory and Trust Road in Ballabafay cars are getting damaged please fix is that as you would turn off at Finn Park and then turn right up into Navany car park you can't use the left lane there because the road is in bits is that that is that where they're talking about do you know well could you say you're not really because I'm not from the area so say you're say you would say you're at Finn Park right and you head out towards Sessio Neil but you turn right into Navany car park there out towards the Liddler Aldi that's there at that junction you can't use the left lane heading towards Donegal town because there's a map of the roads in bits there and you find yourself having to cross over into the to the other lane it would be well worth getting it fixed I think okay I know I they're they're they're turning the roads at the moment and they're one day a week to do a pothole so I'll I'll be sure to get out there and last one why did the council close the bridge on the back road out of Ballabafay especially now when there is roadworks on the main road I'm not familiar with that well it's what has been on your reel there for a couple of weeks there maybe someone put up the big sign about the bra that that was because that's that road has fallen apart and we promised to get it done we couldn't hold the back and you see this weekend a lot of people using that road as well as a bypass so we have to do it so it was to avoid the bra straps happen to be tightened and the the denser is okay all right good stuff all right thanks very much indeed Councillor Patrick McGowan there love alexander's best shop about and as tracy says lovely stuff you can get anything you need in there in the best cafe about okay right let us take a break Tesco Club Guard gives you the power to lower prices for an amazing bank holiday weekend like tesco farfetch tomahawk beef steak was 28 euro 35 now 18 euro 99 per kilo coca cola cams 20 back was 18 euro now 10 euro and hind squeezy tomato ketchup 460 gram was 4 euro 60 now 2 euro 50 lower the cost of your shop with your tesco club guard or app the power to lower prices Tesco every little helps product subject to availability excludes express stores new multi-million euro cattle tagging scheme launched for more in your farmers journalist paul mooney we reveal how farmers will be incentivized to DNA tag animals find out how many farmers applied for the new suckler scheme in your county fears grow that rewetting plans will devalue farmland department moves and hedgerow removal rules a summer silage sizzles we examine rising diesel prices and ardent leads the way in sustainable farming read our exclusive interview with the eu commissioner for agriculture all in this week's irish farmers journal on sale now are you looking to make a difference in your community your local daycare center needs committee volunteers like you whether you have skills in administration it finance or marketing you can make a huge difference in the lives of the elderly in our community a part of your community's story for 9127056 to find out how you can help this project is co-funded by the government of Ireland and the european union he's back come on mario rosenstock is back live on stage in 2023 what a lovely surprise gift probe live 23 the brand new show give us the gory details what's enough go on buy friday 30th of june mount erigal letter kenny can't wait to hear this Dennis he he he this should be interesting right tickets from 39 euro on sale now from venue box office and ticket master additional charges may apply the brand new show gift probe live 23 bring it on how you going to see mario hey you're very welcome back to the show and it's that time of year again where robert o'connor chair of relay for life joins us you're very welcome on to the program robert how are you keeping i'm good greg thank you for having us it's great to have you with us okay so it's just around the corner now relay for life done a goal takes place this year from five p.m on saturday june third to five p.m on sunday june fourth and it's at the beautiful grounds of the atu the donnagole campus there in letter kenny yep we're so privileged to have the facility there in the atu formerly elway at we've been there every year and paul hannigan and staff have been so generous and so good to it's been tremendous right so tell us about this year or i'll leave that up to you because it because it goes on for so long you see there's so much that goes that does go on so how does it kick off kicks off five o'clock with our survivor's lap there's a bit of music on stage with leon boil beforehand but officially it kicks off at five o'clock where our survivors people in purple t-shirts have the first lap of the field followed by their caregivers and then the team parade and then the survivors are taken for a banquet in the elway atu halls what do we call it canteen area yeah there and then music starts on the stage and coming up to about 10 30 at night moya brennan and is there for the candle ceremony which is narrated by highland's own donald cavena and that's you know really one of the highlight of the whole event very emotional thing where people take time to remember you know the loved ones were earlier at the survivors lap that actually celebrating you know cancer survivorship and people going through their journey through the night sort of comes down a little bit then the morning we have mass at 70 a.m we have a really lovely two hours then from nine o'clock to 11 o'clock with aiden murphy our gospel or an incremental service and it really is lovely and we invite people to come into the hall and be part of that audience if they're there for about a quarter to nine in the morning it would be great and it's out live and the whole event is streamed live as well so we hope to have that link for highland tomorrow you've been good to was promoting that in the past and hopefully we'll have that tomorrow and it concludes then on the sunday even at five o'clock but one of the things this year we have for the first time is around 12 o'clock on sunday Moonshire Lee Gooch from Roll Call for Relay is there with a school disco for the kids and that was a great initiative a better man than he absolutely a great initiative and thanks to Linda and Lee and Highland for promoting that it's lovely to listen to oh it was fantastic it was really fantastic and one thing which share with all the best organization in the world is that you can't organize the weather but the higher paris have done that for you so anyone attending you're actually going to have to bring you some block or a big hat absolutely reality because the weather's going to be lovely yep and we believe that the higher paris have done that Seamus Devine on our committee believes he has done it like you know but however Seamus is from Castle Finn Castle Finn our he's our weatherman yeah okay and one thing he did ask me to do not go on without asking for volunteers he still needs some volunteers okay well can we how do people volunteer if they get in touch either directly with Seamus or through Relay for Relay for Donegal at gmail.com right okay so there is an amazing list of of artists so don't want to leave anyone out but on saturday at four p.m. Elaine Boyle The Survivors The Career Lab John Lowe's doing the opening ceremony David Craig's there Donald Furglen Richard McConnell Seamus McGee Hugh McLean Gareth Kerwin Hugo Duncan Amy Mehan Wild Flowers Breed Carr Callum Keevney Moia Brennan and on it goes you know what I mean and then on Sunday from one to six p.m. Team rest six a.m. Wakey Wakey Sarah Marie seven a.m. Mass as you mentioned nine p.m. The Gospel Hour ten economical service and then eleven twenty there's a Keith Fletcher uh Lee Gooch or Keith Fletcher I don't know which I both leave leave oh not the two of them not the two of them yes at the same time at the same time oh my god people think we believe about all right that's going to be good fun for stroke chaos and on it goes ukulele group Norman Borland Noel Shevelins in there Ann Biddy Simon Peters and so on up until the closing cemetery my apologies of a ceremony my apologies if I've left anyone else but it's for people to dip in and out so what's the relay side of it you just talk because we often don't talk about that mean you so yep the the relay side is it's a walk around the track for 24 hours and it was started by a doctor Gordon Klatt year in 1983 I think it was in America and uh he raised about $20,000 that year running and I decided that it was easier to walk it from then on and now it's in 30 it's in 32 years yeah 32 counties countries sorry in the world and how do people raise money they raise money about all sorts of things you know over the weekend that the teams all have a little fundraiser at their gazebo and uh but it's more fun than actually fundraising at the weekend because by that stage they have it all done there's been pub quizzes there's been cake sales there's been and uh done low the little band school band over there did a fundraiser for us with a drone and everything where they actually you know spelt out one at one and the thing there's all sorts of things face painting you name it and you've struck the balance now and and we want to see huge year this year because like many annual events Covid sort of threw a spanner in the work and then when you come back people are out of the routine and stuff I don't know what the figure I'm not saying that's the case here but anyway the weather's gonna be great we want this to be bigger and better than ever so many of us will either get cancer be affected by cancer or lose someone to cancering in fact I can safely say that there's no one listening that doesn't fall into those categories so this is striking the balance as well between remembrance hope the future research you know what I mean it's it's all encompassing and I think that's right across the program you see that yeah I mean the statistic show that now one and two of us will get cancer in our lifetime but on the positive side the treatments are so good that survivor it's are much are much better and people are living longer not as much in the western north west so we have to keep that separate fight going and we're going to do that here on this show as well so together let us celebrate remember and fight back and that's what it's all about absolutely you know stay tuned to Highland radio if you can't get down because some people will want to get a sense of what's going on and they can't travel for one reason or another and people get a real sense of what's going on here as well absolutely and Highland have been so supportive of us since 2012 we're part of it we're all it's we're all the same people that could get cancer have gotten cancer survived cancer died because of cancer and our loved ones we're we are the community we're all together we're working with you and do you know what I mean that's what we do here because absolutely and that's the benefit of you know community radio and local radio as opposed to sort of national radio like you know yeah it's it's for the people yeah we're all each other's friends and neighbours and families and you know we're not separate we're part of it as you get I know you get that so that's why we're all anyone would do anything to to support Robert thank you thank you Greg well done enjoy it enjoy the weather Robert O'Connor chair of Relay for Life it's been great having you on the phone thanks a minute Greg as always thank you as I say stay tuned to Highland radio for more information watch the show live now on youtube facebook and at highlandradio.com okay it is 11 o'clock time for a news update and it's over to Michaela Clark thanks Greg good morning the doll has been told that it would be impossible for a single person on the median wage in Dunningall to buy a house in the county Debra Thomas Pringle told TDs that based on recent CSO figures which show Dunningall still has the lowest income in the state he sat down with mortgage calculator programs and looked at estate agents to see what could be bought he says his findings were stark a young man who died in a jet ski accident in County Claire yesterday evening was from Limerick city the 19 year old was killed when the jet ski flipped over in the water on Loch Derg by standards managed to help two teenage girls who were also in the jet ski safely back to shore the gear luck of the initial municipal district has described works of proof for Newton calling him as a game changer Dunningall county council has given the go ahead for works as part of the town's mean street active travel project improvement and upgrade works are to be carried out and traffic calming measures installed a group of European politicians which finnegale is a member of have walked away from discussions on major EU plans to reduce green house gas emissions the European people's party which represents around represents around a quarter of MEPs has left talks on the nature restoration law Dunningall is one of three top staycation destinations this year according to new report from my home.ie the cost of living crisis is having a major impact on holiday plans this year with 47% for those surveyed holidaying differently this year as a result the logfoil and swilly ferry services have resumed today the service linking Greencastle and McGilligan and the swilly ferry service linking Bunkranna and Rathmullen will operate a full service for the season seven days a week and finally a statue has been stolen from outside a motor shop in Letterkenny it comes a mere matter of days after plastic ice cream corn was stolen from outside the Circle K guide in Letterkenny which has night since been returned the one stop Man's statue was last seen outside the shop on Tuesday evening at around half past five those are the latest headlines what's going on I don't know so this is like will you call it a statue yeah you know it's this is like a big advertising thing coins right okay what is going on here so we've got the ice cream cone back and now we're looking for the one stop Man so hopefully he'll be returned as well maybe right okay so they said that they've seen two men in a van that may have taken it as a joke yes but you see the thing is that these things are very expensive and we can have a little bit of fun with it and the headlines and what have you not you obviously but at the end of the day these things could have been in the business for an awful long time so whilst we can see the humor side of this because there seems to be a trend of oversized advertising things going we have to get this back it's quite distinctive it's a one stop man and it may have gone into a van with two other fellas yeah right okay and cctv is currently being examined yeah they did say that it is sentimental of sentimental value and they're appealing for information right let's we need to get hopefully we get it back yeah indeed okay listen thanks very much chef for that Michaela Michaela back with you at 12 noon so the one stop man has been stolen last seen outside the one stop motor shop in letter Kenny on Tuesday evening at around about 5 30 cctv seems to suggest two men in a van took him possibly it's a joke but it's not funny it is funny it's not funny you know what I mean it is if you're not directly affected by it but it's got sentimental value as you can imagine financial value as well it's really quite distinctive if you know where that is let us know we'll let them know okay you've got about two minutes to continue to get you can rely on a gig a home you can gig a stream or gig a weekend you can feel gig as safe as your kids hop online to have gig a fun and you can gig a boogie in your gig a basement Vodafone gig a home combines super wifi always connected and secure net for a broadband connection you can always rely on so get on the gig a train search Vodafone gig a home to find out more Vodafone together we can subject to location and availability gig a home is subject to subscription cancel anytime eligibility limitations in terms apply see Vodafone.ie there's fantastic value at homeland letter Kenny garden center this Saturday 3rd of June with our final garden Super Saturday all hedging buy two get one free cool flame solar lights buy two get one free sizzler barbecue was 299 euro now 249 euro pad store bistro set was 99 euro now 79 euro shop in store at homeland letter Kenny with expert advice from her experience team offers mentioned available this weekend only holiday sunshine fly from dairy to New Yorker this July or August with Atlantic travel in letter Kenny save up to 20% with rates not available elsewhere also exclusive discounts for parking call Atlantic travel letter Kenny on 9 1 2 6 1 9 3 or visit atlantictravel.ie the muck plant what 100% vegan even the cheese but how can't be it really is the muck plant from McDonald's with melt in the mouth vegan cheese a delicious sesame seeded bun vegan mayo and a juicy beyond meat patty it's our iconic taste plant based served after 11 a.m subject to availability Okie doke into the last hour of this Thursday's show and we welcome into the studio Paul McLaughlin gardener at Bogdard garden center Paul good morning to you good morning Greg what about this weather the weather is glorious at the moment so it is yeah and because of this high pressure stubbornly stuck off the north coast it's really quite predictable and they're saying they're not going to be a dribbler rain for a week at least no I think so alright either I can most next week it's going to be fairly fairly dry as well so it's important to keep up in the water and I suppose yes the flowers the plants are thirsty yes absolutely I am supposed to think now at the minute the kids are out do their paddling pools and stuff like that so it's good actually if you're removing it to use that water for the plants you're sort of making the most of the water they don't mind we then the plants no they'll be around they'll thrive on us do they all right that's alright and what about lawns like I listen I would never water a lawn I could I would say it's a terrible waste right but that's me personally I don't I don't tend to judge other people but I presume lawns are starting to go hold on a second here we're drying out generally you see that in sort of the verges along the road and stuff you'll see the grass started gradually turning yellow and yellow to be honest I wouldn't be a big man for water and water if it's well established if it's like new grass that you've sown this year that'd be a good idea to go to e-drinking just to establish it but on an established lawn I wouldn't be bothered yeah it'll bounce back and we will get rain yeah exactly as much as we want to and it's interesting to see the the amount of rain in Spain and Italy at the moment and yet here we are sitting and and it's great to see us getting good weather in the west and northwest and them freezing their boobs off in Dublin yes absolutely I aim the south England like you usually associate with almost like a French weather but they seem to be we're getting it far better at the minute what is that you have in front of you that plant this is an Alvira plant hello Alvira yes and my wife uses that one quite regularly it's annoying isn't it I do it all the time yes it doesn't like hello Alvira does she ever then start talking about hot pots and stuff I do that I go hello Alvira do you want hot pot yes the coronation street think of it didn't you yeah that's a pretty soft pot so what do you call it but they left me with the pigeons that's billus I was going to say you mustn't warrant it than I was I'm here all day right okay so so let us can you hold it aloft a little bit yes right so where's your camera no it's it's so you're right not very much right because someone broke my cameras right so what is that then that is this is an Alvira plant it's a tropical plant it's a succulent which means that it stores water within itself yes so it's an almost like a desert plant so brilliant plant to have in the house thrives in the lect because if you forget the water it's happy enough right so it's like those other tall ones that people have it lives on the moisture in the property effectively almost every month maybe okay so how do you derive Alvira from it yeah pretty much the way it's had stored moisture within it and it stored all sorts of antioxidants and stuff like that there so Caroline very kindly meant let me borrow a knife here so you're goin