What was next, have you company? We're going to pass you over to Greg. Greg, you're going to be busy today on the show. Yes, Lee, loads coming up on the program. Still trying to figure everything out. You all knew it, this. No, no, no. How are you talking about it? I went to Carolina about two seconds ago. I said, I'm going to say to Greg, you have a busy show today. And I bet you his response is big. But Lee, I have a busy show every day. Yeah, but everyone says that coming up, it's a busy show. You do it every day. I do it every day. Everyone does it every day. But normally we follow through on it. And you do your best. Can we have a great weekend? You too. That's your first week back out of the way. Yeah, it's nice. Nice. You started off with a gentle four-day or anyway. Yeah, it is. Take care, Lee. All right, it is the nine-ton news show here on Highland Radio. Lots coming up on the program. And that is a fact, Lee. We'll be joining us a little later on. And our Friday panel will be joining us very, very soon. But at 9 a.m., it's time for a news update. Good morning, Michaela Clark. Thanks, Greg. Good morning. The disabilities minister says work is continuing in conjunction with the Department of Health and the Department of Equality to help review up safeguarding at disability centres in Daniel. Minister Ann Rabbit has this week called for that to be an independent review. She was speaking in the door last night during a topical issue debate on a Hic sunny report published last week, which identified a number of governance and safeguarding shortcomings during inspections at 18 HSC-run disability centres in Dunne Gaw. The debate also heard further calls for the Branton report to be published. Minister Robert says work is ongoing with regard to ensuring the protection of service users. We need to look at the social care model and stop calling issues like episodes, whereas understanding what that pattern came from and knowing how to support the staff, but most importantly, the service user. Work is underway, Deputy Pringle, and I hope with the cooperation of Minister Dunley on Minister O'Gorman that this will be expedited, as in we hope to have a framework by June. Counting is underway in the Northern Ireland Assembly elections. It's expected to be a historic election, as according to opinion polls, Sinn Féin are on course to become the largest party in the north for the first time. The Alliance Party is also expected to secure a large number of assembly seats, however the DUP's vote is likely to be reduced. Northern Ireland's Secretary, Brandon Lewis, is appealing to all parties to work together once the votes are counted. We want to resolve the issues with the protocol, but I do think and we will make the point that everybody who has taken part in these elections should respect the result of the elections, get back into Stormont, get making those decisions that can move things forward for people in Northern Ireland. Food shortages could lead to a new migrant crisis for Europe. That's a warning from Midlands Northwest MEP Colin Markey. The war in Ukraine and sanctions on Russia are raising serious questions about the supply of food. Mr Markey believes it could trigger a new wave of migration from Africa towards Europe. He says the EU has a moral responsibility to act. The knock-on effect of, let's say, a famine in someone like North Africa means a potential immigrant crisis of a different sort into Europe that's not war-driven but famine-driven. That has a knock-on effect for Europe, so even though Europe has its own food security, this issue is of a major concern to Europe. Whether or not Iran will clear later this morning and into the afternoon with highest temperatures today of 13 to 15 degrees. That's all from Highland video news for now. We'll be back with news again at 10 o'clock. Until then, good morning. And now it's time for the talk of the Northwest, the 9 to noon show with Greg Hughes on Highland Radio. Hello, a very good morning to you. Just about to turn four minutes past nine on this damp Friday morning. It's the 6th of May 2022. Hopefully we have your company now for the next three hours on the program and we want your views and your comments and your input as we hear from our Friday panel and throughout the show. You can contact us on the usual numbers, of course, your WhatsApps and texts to<PHONE_NUMBER><PHONE_NUMBER>. You can also call Caroline on 07491 25000. If you want to watch the program, hop on to our website right now, HighlandRadio.com. You should see the link there to click and watch in browser. Or if you wish, go straight to our YouTube page, Highland Radio Ireland or our Facebook pages. And give them a like and hit the bell and let you know when we're going live on this program and on others as well. Okay, let's introduce our panel. Damian Dodds, editor of the show, an independent. He'll be logging into us very, very shortly. We can say good morning now, though, to counsellor Ian McGarvey, independent in the letter Kenny Milford Municipal District. Good morning to you, Ian McGarvey. How are you keeping? Good morning, Greg. Good morning to everyone as well. It's good to have you with us. Emma McGinnis, Donegal Livestock Mark Manager. Welcome back to the show. Thank you. Good morning, everyone. It's good to have you with us. Okay, we'll start with politics, if that's okay. Joe McHugh made his announcement during the week that he's leaving politics and that he's not going, he's going to see out his final two years. That wouldn't be a job I'd fancy, but I suppose he can pay for it.  But obviously, then he's going to step away, do his own thing. What do you think this will do to the political landscape in Donegal, if anything, because, you know, he is Finnegell's sole representative in the Dall from Donegal, and with the best word in the world, there doesn't seem a natural replacement for him there just yet. Well, I would say, you know, I assumed he had discussed this with the party long before we heard about it. You know, I wish him all the very best of luck in whatever he chooses to do.  And taking off, putting all that aside, is he say what's he's going to do for Finnegell and Donegal? If you've been interested to see geographically what's going to happen. Well, from Harley, I know I was at the last time to visit Kenny, and Mark and Harley did very, very well, surprisingly well, you know, which in turn, he gave a lot of his time for them to join with you. So I would think maybe that's a possibility. But yes, you'd like to think they'd be picking up another seat or they'd be looking at running more candidates across the country because, yeah, they'll have to. In the last election, just the one TV, you know, you'd think they'd be pushing for two. Definitely to be running three. But where they'll be based, it'll be anyone's guess. I wonder, is it kind of a testimony to where the party is in the county and that, you know, you're speaking to us from South Donegal, of course, you know, back in the day, obviously, didn't begin. It was a stalwart there. Barry O'Neill probably would have had his aspirations, which would have been pretty much dashed with the redrawing of election boundaries. Surprising that there's not really maybe more of a, and I'm not, I hope I'm not doing anyone as a service, but, you know, an obvious candidate even from the south and west of the county that could step forward. I know there's some speculation of a Dublin-based candidate. We'll talk about that a little later on. But, you know, there's no one there, again, that obviously springs to mind with all due respect to those, to the party's members. Yeah, well, you would have had a lot of sitting councillors, you know, over the years. I would have done an awful lot of work here in Killy Bay, but as for who's going to take on the role of the TV, yeah, it doesn't, you know, I know with other parties, you'd kind of be thinking, well, they'll run and they'll run, but it's very hard to think who's going to put forward for that party, so I don't know. Could you be tempted, Aimer? Definitely not. I'm thinking more of the language, Joe. Councillor McAfee, you'd have worked with Joe McHugh over the years, of course, at various levels. Were you surprised, as his decision to step away in the timing of it? I mean, we are in the middle of the Micah crisis. There are those that would have thought that he would have run again and seen it through, that he's sort of, you know, jumping ship. Greg, I would look at it from a point of view, it's 23 years there. The contribution he has made over the years is quite dramatic as well. If you just look at the position of a whole there, it is so difficult to achieve many of the things you'd like to see happen. You can have all kinds of ambition and so on to acquire certain facilities for the area that he represents, and indeed for the county. And for far too long, it has been a challenge from anyone going from Donegal as a representative to acquire the needs of Donegal at the present time, because if you look at council level, from council level up, I've always referred to the fact that council and councillors and so on are depending on our TDs and ministers who are appointed to deliver for the council and indeed for the people, because if you look at the present time, democracy is so important. And anyone who looks at the world scene, even a professor, Pfizer from America has written, democracy is under attack from authorisation. So we can realise, like, to represent the people in a democratic manner and to carry out their views as desired. It is a difficult challenge for the legislature. It's very well rewarded though, you know, I mean... Well, everybody can talk about rewards. If you look at people like in his position, as 24 hours, as a full-year occupation, you may never be sitting on the dollar at the same time. But you see, this is what I don't get when politicians, particularly politicians, say this as if, you know, the rest of society, you know, works four hours a day and has people that look after. The people listening to you right now are working eight, nine hours a day. I know people that are working two jobs. Some of them are working for eight, 15 hours, some for 10, 15 hours.  If you're looking for anyone to have sympathy for how under pressure a politician is in terms of work, you're barking up the wrong tree with me, Councillor, because the people out there, you know, there are the ones that are doing the heavy lifting the long hours and have very little to show for it financially at the end of the week and things are only going to get worse. Greg, I can wholeheartedly agree with what Jeff just said because both people are working on the marriage at the present time. I realize that, as for the address, all the issues that you're talking about, Greg, but when you talk about the role that a T.D. and ministers have, that's an obligation to, I feel like, present an equalization and consideration for all the views you've raised, Greg. But shall I say to you again, when you sit in council and feel helpless and feel the needs of the people that you're there because you have one duty and when you're elected, a duty of care to the people, number one, to represent the people who are elected and to have an interest in the public interests as well and see what goes on there. So, when we talk about what I was more or less referring to, we as councillors actually, I've always referred to that council. We are very dependent on the people like Joe McHugh and any minister or anything else representing the interests of the general public to address the issues that you've just referred to. All right, do they deliver? Do you believe they deliver fridonic all? I don't think with respect, Greg, they're being addressed because if you look at somebody in the world that the president have, has a standing of what's said, $175 billion and another second person, that's $353 billion. There's no interest in distribution and the distribution system were by the people because I referred to the democracy. The democracy is under attack, Greg. I know, I get what you're saying and individuals are individuals, but listen, we're struggling here to put oil in our fuel tanks where we're having to fight to have the right to burn tariff or to distribute tariff locally and oil companies oil companies in the first three months of this year have quadrupled and tripled their profits when apparently this is scarcity of oil, so there's an awful lot going on there that is not right. Emer, in terms of the obvious replacements in the conversation with Joe McHugh, I understood he referenced obviously McGillison in the show and Harley in Balaba Facer and Ola Kavanaugh in letter Kenny. I'll be interested to see if we have the time right now for maybe Finnegale to look at the gender profile of its representation in Donegal. Well, yes. We haven't seen any female candidates from them, have we? Female candidates. Sorry, Damien joins us now. Damien, what were you saying there, Damien? Look forward, Damien. Sorry, I'm just logged in here. On hand three, I think there was quite a number of female candidates for Finnegale at the last election. They weren't elected, but the people can't be made to elect people based on their gender, but Finnegale got quite a number of... In Donegal, they ran a good number, Michelle McKenna ran here in the Nishona electoral area. Emer in letter Kenny, wasn't it? Yeah, Bernie Moore and did she run in that? Finnegale tried and look, it's one of the things that all the parties are going to have to do. I think there's an increased requirement on parties to put, I think, maybe the quota for candidates is up to 40% for forthcoming all elections. Clearly, Emer's point is right that we have four county councillors in the county out of 37 who are female, but every party will probably need to try and improve the number of female candidates to identify female candidates for Ronan. But the problem with that, Damien, getting elected isn't a different thing. Yeah, but that's it, Damien, but what the problem with that is, is that what you may have seen in the past is that those that have been around for quite some time resist this, whether they do it publicly or privately, who is to say. And it does require an element of the old guard stepping to one side to give people a decent run. I mean, that's probably stopped, you know, good female representatives getting elected out of parties in the past. Yeah, that's always the thing, and look, the sitting councillor or the sitting TD definitely has an advantage, or the well-established candidate has an advantage, but I suppose the only way to try and change it is to select female candidates. If that's the objective of all of these quotas, you select the candidates, and then it's up to the people, and the people in their wisdom don't always vote on the basis of gender. And you know, I think that's probably something that we all miss. People can't be made vote one way or the other. You can put candidates in front of them regardless of their party or regardless of their gender, and people will vote the way they vote, and they won't be made vote one way or the other. But to give them the best chance you have to actually make sure that they have a decent run-in, and they have all the same levels of support that other candidates have. I'm not saying that's not been the case, but Emer, personally, I think that's going to be a priority for Finnegale, and I think they've taken themselves two years to sort of to try and address the gender situation, Emer. Definitely. You know, it is, I suppose, as Damien just said there, they need a chance, they need a photo, and you know, I try to get into local politics, so I kind of see where that's going. You don't have the same as a sitting politician. You don't have the same tools, I suppose, at your disposal as a lot of them do. You find the coming up for the last year, and if you will come to local elections, you'll probably see the politicians have become very active now next year. And they'll be promising the sun, moon, and stars to everybody, because that's the way it works. And sitting politicians at encounters, sitting TV, it's the same old, same old. They can promise this because the tools are at their disposal to do so. Whereas somebody coming new into the cold, who really probably would have more energy, I would say, for the first few years, and of all these things they want to do, and would be very good if elected, they don't have the same tools at their disposal. Do you feel that you were given every chance in the support you received? No, but that's probably a whole different. I did get support, but probably there was a whole up and on in our party at that time. That's what I was wondering, you know, I mean because... that was very important to our disadvantage in the end. That's me being honest about what happened there. But yes, it wasn't looked at correctly. And we suffered. Yeah, suffered across the board, I think, in the election. Alright, Damien, do you think, you know, either Joe McHugh or indeed Charlie McConnelow could get elected off the back of support out of an issue with everything on? Well, I suppose it depends on when the elections held, Greg. Like, you know, I mean, if you were asked me could get it done tomorrow, if the election was tomorrow, no, it probably wouldn't. But, you know, the election probably is going to be what, is it 2025? Is it maybe before it'll have to be held? And by that time as well, I mean, we could very well, it's probably likely that we'll be going away from the single 5 seat constituency and perhaps returning to the 2-3 seaters, which would change tomorrow, I don't think. But, you know, within, what are we, we're 2-3 years away from a general election who can tell? I mean, it's very hard to project that far out. Yeah, do you think that say, for instance, Minister Charlie McConnelow, again, because politics, you know, a lot of people speculate about it, do you think there's enough time there, enough changes into how the constituencies set up and how much progress might be making, made in Meika, sorry, to see him elected in a couple of years. Can you see him sitting in the next door? Well, I think I think he's got every chance. Like, you know, he's a minister, he has got a big task on his hand in getting the Meika scheme up and running properly. You know, that's going to be, and there's going to remain, the key issue for 2-3 election cycles probably. So, we've got a lot of work and, you know, I'm hearing that the government are to discuss the Meika legislation, which is the next big thing, and actually that's going to be the centre point, that's probably, I don't know, the end of the beginning of the Meika saga, because once the law is put in place, we all know where we stand under it, and no one will understand how it has to be progressed through then. But that's just the end of the beginning, because actually delivering that can get that done. And that's going to take a lot of time. If that legislation, the government has said they're going to get a pass before the summer recess. I hope they do. But I find that hard to believe, because the clock is completely against them at this stage. So, if they don't get a pass before the summer recess, they don't return until September, after their nice holidays. And, you know, by that stage, it's all about budget. I mean, you know, it's beyond important that they get this done before the, they get it completely before the summer recess, and that applications under the new scheme are being accepted immediately, and the money starts to flow. Applications progress, you know, the scheme is... They're all kind of sitting in kind of limbo with the women there, because the conditions that are there under scheme one, the 90 can scheme, you know, are going to be adapted and maybe changed a bit under scheme two. So, homeowners, the council itself, nobody really is sure where they can be, and it's an incredibly frustrating time. So, in the context of running the general election, that turning the con look would be in a lot of trouble if there was an election this week, he'd be hoping that the Micah scheme gets up and running, that homes start to be repaired under it in the years ahead of the next general election. But, I mean, there's been other, you know, there's other steps that he can take as well, both as the Minister of Agriculture and there's been a large number of announcements of substantial funds of money coming to the initial impolence to everything from that, there's a big project out at Fort Donry, there's a large project in the centre of Cairn, there's the Green Castle Breakwater Swan. So, a lot of money has been committed to the county, the problem, and to this part of the county is the National Electoral Area, where Charlie and Padre Governor, Padre McLaughner, I was the two key vote-getters here. But the company with that is, money is announced and it might take four or five years to spend. So, you know, the natural slowness of the bureaucracy when it comes to delivering on the promises that is made, it probably works counter to the kind of electoral cycle, and that's to nobody's advantage, including the people who need those things, who need Fort Donry Donner, who need the three-school campus up in Rowland, Bunkran or who want to read about the centre they can't read about, or the fishermen that need the breakwater built long before now. The pace at which the government and the state moves in delivering projects is appalling. And that really, you know, if anyone could ever get that fixed, they'd give my vote. Looks like you won't be voting in the next election in any which way. No, maybe never. Cansley and McGarvey finally just on what we were talking about, sort of the gender balance. It's not just gender, it's a council or a doll that represents all of society. I mean, you've sat down at a few council meetings over the years, more than anyone else, and you must look around and go, is this really representative of my county in 2022? You'd hoped to have seen more progress. Greg, shall I just say, do you look at the political system that's only gone for years? That hasn't changed very much. And Damien's right to what he says, like the direct application of a decision when taken is so frustrating nobody even knows what it is that's fair. Damien is one of the biggest problems that I see about discussion because I refer to the democratic decisions when taken and everything else to apply them as a different thing. Now nobody can promise anything along those kind of lines, owned to the circumstances and how the system works. And I reckon if you look at the entire system from revenue from social welfare or any of the systems that it refers to within government, it's unbelievable if you go on the telephone how long you could spend pretty much even with social welfare. And the many places you're supposed to tap to get to go on the web and all the rest nobody has considered the handicapped people the elderly people or others who don't have the opportunity of accessing it through the online system. So therefore there's a terrible lot of people being left out of the system because they just don't bother. And I know at the present time there are many people losing benefits and so on and I was just on the last day and an official and sort of welfare referred to the fact of even the difficulty of getting to talk to someone directly. But that's by design not accident isn't it? I mean it's the same with the companies. They give you like eight options to press so that you go stuff it, I'll use web chat. What's the point you know? I'm not waiting till number seven and then between one and eight there's nothing that I could press that would help me in any way shape or form. That's the direction of traffic. When are we going to get that back Councillor as much as we all would like to see it. Half of this chat stuff you talked about on the internet by the way is artificial intelligence. It's not even real people. Go ahead Councillor. Fairness and fairness Craig. Every elected representative deserves the people. Every representative has an obligation to ensure that those things happen. But they're not happening. Why are they not happening? Because the people are sort of the head of things. But along with what we'll say the system has been for years and the system has been for years has failed the people in my opinion. And needs to be addressed and the areas that are referred to because you can take someone certain and you're referring to people on income levels and all the stuff of the day and the needs that they have and they can't be met and they have the fit totally for a state of time. And I think under the constitution section party and party one there's an obligation of all of this to ensure that our people are treated equally. No matter who they are. They should not have to come to somebody like me to get something done. They should have a right to it. Stay there. Damien you mentioned about the redrawing of the boundaries. What's the likelihood there? Would that include part of South Donegal coming back into the actual South of Donegal again? I don't know how much reading up you've done on that or how much info you have on that. What's the speculation there? There's a good chance of it Greg. It's based on the census. There's going to be a boundary commission established which will redraw or look at the redrawn of all constituencies after the census results come out and the preliminary results are due in the summer so they're going to be able to calculate then the population. It definitely looks like at the moment there's 160 TDs in the doll. I mean the census or the CSO project never went up a population of more than 5 million. So that would with absolute certainly increase the number of TDs there. Perhaps it's set out in the constitution that there's one TD for every 20,000 to 30,000 people. So at a minimum we're going to be getting an extra 6 TDs and the likelihood is we could get more than that and what that would if Donegal's population which was sitting at just under 160,000 in the last election, if that goes up to 170,000, 180,000 if it got to 180,000 for the whole country including that part of South Donegal that has been hyped up, you'll be back probably at two three-seaters again. Back in Donegal? Well that's it and look I mean probably, you know See that changes the dynamics Damien, thanks. Doesn't it as well Imer from a South Donegal perspective you know with Bandora and Bali Shannon come back into the fold it kind of it's not in a massive way but I can see more clearly you know people's pathways to sort of candidacy I don't know if you feel the same Imer? Probably Don't tell me you don't care about Lahi, Balintra Bali Shannon, Bandora because it feels like you don't really care Of course I do I work there, most of my farmers are from there Okay That's the broadest height Yeah probably Imer and Petty go it certainly helped Van Gogh with regards to putting candidates forward so Yeah Would it help to have more TVs in Donegal doing Yeah I just think it would open up a big population base that could now you'd be obviously with a two or three year leading. Listen Imer, thank you for that so far Imer McGinnis there you're also hearing from Damien Dads and Councillor Ian McGarvey we'll be back with more from them after these On this week's Business Matters I'll be joined by Bernard Murphy so join me for Business Matters on Sunday evening after the 6 o'clock news the Business Matters podcast is also available to download at businessmatters in association with the Faculty of Business at ATU Donegal If you're looking for a career in financial services consider the level 9 MA in governance, compliance and data protection take the next step in your career and contact the exec ed coordinator on 9186206 or email execedexeced at lyit.ie today Do you suffer from high cholesterol men of all symptoms digestive issues anxiety aches and pains or a lack of energy the highly trained team at the Natural Way Letter Kenny can provide advice on natural remedies for a number of individual health issues the Natural Way also has its own brand of herbal treatments to help fight fatigue relieve digestive discomfort maintain a healthy immune system and alleviate common menopause symptoms the Natural Way Letter Kenny Shopping Centre your one stop health shop it's back and it's bigger and better than ever before the one only Grove Furnishings a sale odyssey your local easy living store Grove Furnishings big anniversary sale is now on at Killtie Road Letter Kenny that caller says, Greg, did I just hear Councillor McGarvey admit that the County Council is just a talking shop and that the power sits in the door sure haven't we been saying that for years the rot really set in when we allowed ourselves to be bullied by Finnegal when they introduced property taxes well Ian you're on the record expressing your frustration at the Council being a talking shop it's no secret it's not an exclusive I haven't a problem Greg because I'll tell you why if you listen and go into a workshop now at the present time and this is very important for the general public as well we can't discuss what goes on and it's not right because of the democratic system we need to be open no covert operation of any kind now regarding the effect of what say I'll give you I'll cite a set of circumstances for you Greg 13 projects are before us at the present time going over 5 years and I think it's a scandal the amount of money it's only as a total of 20 million over the 5 years but when I look at the Letter Kenny Milkford Road in areas like this that needs addressing when I look at bridges like Keiji Bridge, Bonneville Bridge, Kelly Jarvan Bridge and places like that small issues that can't even be addressed Greg, why is it such a case because there's no difficulty with the need consultancy determined about a bridge I could go down and measure the volume that bridge provides at the moment and extend it by 20 or 25% or whatever would be necessary because you can only go two ways with a bridge and that's either sideways or down but what I was going to say to you Greg to talk about the drain of the swallowing and so on, to talk about flooding of Letter Kenny to talk about so much and to talk about the need for houses or an increase of 15,000 of a population so if you look Greg proportionate on the Gall country because we need to provide 360 more houses they can't buy one house without the approval of the department or purchase a house or build a house I understand where you're coming from can you understand my frustration but is it not the right thing to do is rather than lifting you know 30, 32 grand out of the council pack it in is it worth it is it not just to what's the point in being in there if it doesn't serve any purpose that even begs the question possibly the same lines of thought is running through Deputy McHugh's mind at the present time as well he has been there for 23 years and it'll assist to me like the frustration that must be in a person's mind and you talk about income doesn't arise because to me income is not important it's very important to the electorate but the well-being of the individual and being looked at and secured our health and happiness is a beautiful notion that money isn't everything but our health and happiness is rooted in how much money you have and that you can care for your family as best as possible but listen that's just an opinion and I respect yours I call this as Damien the only things that have changed since the last election is hospital waiting lists are worse the mic issue is worse homelessness is worse the cost of living has increased the problem is politicians not working together to deliver the two busy points scoring is that a fair enough assessment or is that cynical I would agree with that I'll come back to you I want to bring Damien in there go ahead Damien it's an honestly held opinion it's a widely held opinion high politicians probably do a wee bit more than just score points off but the biggest situation compared to the last election is actually fairly substantially well improved because if they were talking about the last general election that's in 2020 we only had the 90-10 scheme bear in mind it's less than 12 months since we had the first big marches in Boncran and Latter-Kinney the Paddy Divert inspired marches in Boncran and Latter-Kinney to highlight the inadequacies of that and to force and push for a new one and we're told now that within the next week of days that legislation will be published to enact a new law I mean that's a massive, massive turnaround I was complaining earlier it's taken a year or just under a year from feet on the street in Boncran and Latter-Kinney to a new law being proposed in the Arraktois that's almost unprecedented I mean that is the bureaucracy working at warp speed it's far too slow for us and everyone's frustrated in the age we live in we want everything now we need instant gratification we can't wait five minutes for nothing but at the same time you have to acknowledge that that make a legislation and the new scheme with the improved conditions that are under it and improved sums of money that are available under it which we expect to see in a few weeks and we'll be pouring over it very closely to see exactly what it is that the new law is going to contain but that's a fair old improvement on what went before hospital waiting lists they are you know like death and taxes like they're always with us I suppose they are certainly disimproving but there might have been a reason for that you know the two-year COVID pandemic will certainly have had its a part to play in that as well we don't want that to be a smokescreen either though well it's not a smokescreen because there was what you called before there was waiting lists before we are presuming though that how we handled within the health service how we handled the pandemic was done correctly that there were certain services there was no sense for them not going ahead that weren't going ahead some screening services that weren't going ahead when it was one person and one other person in a room that was all cancelled and people were brought off elsewhere the GPs not seeing their patients as they did we don't know if that was the best way of doing it you know we can't just say right did we handle COVID correctly in hindsight or even maybe we should have used foresight could we have said right we need to make sure that our solution to the problem doesn't create a bigger problem too Damien yeah well I suppose the thing on COVID is you'd be looking at the excess deaths and the number of excess deaths that the Republic had isn't that far beyond what might have been expected so you know if the purpose of your health system is to prevent serious illness and death I would have thought that we did pretty well it will be it has certainly of course it has naturally it did and not just in Ireland but in the countries all over it has delayed treatment it has delayed diagnosis and that is going to be something that's going to be the shockwave of COVID is going to be felled through the health system for an awful long time to come never mind the disruption we had from the Russian government hack on our health system last year as well so we've had so obviously but waiting lists are going to be I think I can't imagine a time when waiting lists aren't there somehow yeah of course of course there's election conventions etc during election is a dirty game a lot of shafting and no one worse than the members of your own party surely couldn't be true could it I don't see anyone aimer are you nodding at us I don't I don't have a party I don't have a problem yeah okay Greg can you just let everyone know that the Kilmer Cranon roads experience serious delays so to let people know to avoid it okay listen happy to do that that's a bit time sensitive it's not about the gender it's the party and the policies the people didn't like Joe McHugh didn't the people don't like didn't Joe McHugh said that to you right okay yeah I see the point you're making there all right we have lots more to come from yes go ahead again on the maker situation yes I have a letter in my procession from Darrell Brain established an expert panel to look at the problem of Micah in 2016 that expert panel came out with eight recommendations about what needs to be done from 2016 nobody ever had tell it was presented in 2017 and has not been published and it's a big problem because Micah is a serious problem I know about the building game inside and outside for years and I think that the people who live in those kind of houses waiting and waiting and waiting and the other thing often when it's decided the problem and the disruption to their lives as well will be disgraceful and I had I know nothing to equal it ever in my lifetime no it's unprecedented scandal in the process Councillor Ian McGarvey thank you for that back with more from Ian Damien and Ian after these messages the Michael English celebration tour comes to the Millennium Forum Derry on Wednesday made the 11th and the Strule Art Centre OMA on Friday May 20th come and join Michael and his super bands for a spectacular musical extravaganza a brand new tour is best yes celebration once again with a night of non-stop sing along favourites it's a show you simply won't want to miss for more on the Derry show see Millennium Forum Dakota UK and for more on the OMA show see StruleArtCentre.co.uk for details of all Michael's shows see MichaelEnglish.ie Sleep well, live well from BMC Sports.ie a new award winning Renault Arcana E-Tech Hybrid blending sleek coupe lines with a sporty SUV look Alright, it's looking forward to that game on Sunday a couple of games on Sunday actually will be keeping a close eye on conversations rumbling on about the need to increase our military budget spend we're about a thousand Defence Force members down they're looking to bring that up and then increase it by a further two thousand just thought of ten thousand I'm just wondering you know on the wider scale of things you know when you're talking to people out and about wherever it might be a lot of the issues that you know that are vexing people that are at the forefront of their minds I can't imagine an increased spend and increasing the Defence Forces comes up for debate too often or perhaps it does No, definitely not I see some of the other countries as well as the America so they probably think about increasing their Defence Forces Minister told me he announced five hundred million as of over the next couple of years that's an increase of fifty percent I'd love to know where he thought to come up with this money as we were discussing about everything that is wrong the hospitals the waiting lists we have very we're missing a lot of services in our local hospital at our Kenny hospital everything like with the cost of living it's crazy and yet we're talking about five hundred million like what could we do with five hundred million like I don't know where they're going to get that well actually what is going to happen if they increase that it's going to come back on the people like everything else Well the EU might help bankroll that they might have a dark in the game as well Do you know all this money and you know the EU is all this money now and that's great fantastic I could think of so much more that we need to be looking at we were talking about the golden break our politicians our politicians work very hard one thing I would call them for is especially in each county our counties would probably look at a lot better and we do a lot better services they all they work together regardless of the party if you're elected that's what you should be doing you should be working with your TV and be putting the pressure on them so regardless what their party is but unfortunately a lot of time doesn't happen I think if I was in the defence forces just on that issue you know they their pain conditions are woeful they can't speak out about it they have to rely on their partners to do so we can't even really fulfil the roles for the naval vessels we say they're in getting service but the truth is they don't have the personnel to run them and effectively what we are is a training service for the private sector people go into the army or into the naval service get trained up and then go into the private sector where they'll be well looked after but if I was one of those that was sticking with it and they were talking about increasing that number I'd say well hold on a second why don't you try and hold on to us first before you start to are they going to increase their wages because you're right their pay probably isn't up to what it should be so where are they going to start when they call and talk about putting this 500 million in is it going to increase their salaries and their as you say or is it going to just bring in more people into the military and yeah look there's so much more going on like Damien might ask this question later of the Tarnisher well what is the need you know I mean we have a report that said we need the army needs to be bolstered we need more investment at the end of the day you'd have to quadruple twice the army and our equipment to you know to defend any I don't know I mean like I'm just wondering like what is our need to increase our defence you know fundamentally we are supposed to be neutral though of course not constitutionally as such but why what's this all about is this part of a bigger European picture I was listening to discussion yesterday between a security analyst and your man Cahle Berry who's a TD from Kildare and he's a former soldier and army ranger himself and they're making the point that Ireland is a complete weak link in Western Europe in terms of not having the ability to be able to see what's in the skies above us and militarily and see what's in the waters around us and that's because we don't have a sufficiently staffed and sufficiently equipped naval service and we don't have radar and our naval ships don't have sonar so they can't they're also too busy trying to stop Irish people fishing in their own waters as well well that's probably one of the rules but if you have naval patrols that are going on like I mean absolutely enforcement of fishing and it's one thing the importation of the legal drugs we have to be aware of what's happening so we're able to feed into a wider Western information system that allows people to know what's going on in our territorial waters and in the skies above us and also I mentioned earlier the hack that was carried out by the Russian government or people on behalf of the Russian government and to our health systems to bring our health service to our knees like we're going to have to have better expertise and there is a military you know we're going to have to have the ability to defend the country against and defend assets of the country against cyber warfare emanating from whether it's Russia or whether it's somewhere else but we're going to have to have the ability to do that and we don't currently have that so I think actually the pay for enlisted soldiers is absolutely and it should be an easy win they deserve to get the a better standard of paying conditions they need to have their claims recognised that the labour courts and so on that should be a complete would we not be better off though would we not be better off asserting ourselves as a truly a neutral country and that does not mean that we don't take a position on the likes of what's happening in Ukraine but that we reaffirm on neutrality that we assume the role of peace brokers I am sure the technology that Britain employs extends beyond Ireland in terms of radar and you know they're the patrols of the sea or they're not going to be relying on us to protect their western flank so I mean that is really the conversation should we not be doubling down on our presumed or perceived neutrality well we've seen the way Britain's behaviour through Brexit so I wouldn't depend on Britain for nothing Ireland needs to look after itself in this regard here we can and we can retain and we can continue to be militarily neutral there's no I think there does need to be a conversation or the t-shirt or the t-shirt that needs to be kind of a proper conversation about where our neutrality stands I look forward to hearing a sensible conversation but do you not feel Ukraine is being used to accelerate a move that suits certain people that might not certain other in other words to balance the people of Ireland out of neutrality with fear I don't think, well I'm not looking to get Ireland to be militarily aligned in any shape or form I would take an awful lot of persuading to see the American Ireland getting involved with NATO or getting fully involved with that the common defence of the European Union perhaps a different question because we're part of the European Union but you know I wouldn't I would be interested to hear the pros and cons of that in a proper sensible conversation I don't see us becoming militarily aligned I wouldn't be favour of that at the outset as I say I'd take an awful lot of persuading on but Ireland needs to be able to play its part and needs to be able to defend itself and find its own territorial waters as well we can't be sitting dependent on the British to send out naval ships or aircraft out to examine what's going on in our waters we need to take responsibility for that ourselves and we really need to ramp ourselves up and we probably need to take a look at revamping the FCA which has been run down in this county in particular because the only base that they're able to go to now is Finner you probably do need to look at maybe establishing or re-establishing the base north of Finner as well for the county if you want to have something going for the FCA you're looking to bring in better expertise even on a part-time basis in that FCA basis from people who have skills and ability to be able to fight that side of the war I get you Damien but I mean we are struggling even just to get a couple of members of a Guard of Armed Response Unit base north of Finner you know and yet we're talking about spending half a billion in army because we need to defend our shores we just can't even get to protect people in an immediate sense Amar go ahead I just think it's crazy here we are talking about spending mental money but you know we can't have our simple services intact in our counties we as you say we don't have enough guards our hospitals need serious money invested in them to be able to look after our people and yet we're talking about buying equipment and machinery that lie idle like you remember the famous photocopier in the doll that we caught and it was never used but I just find it crazy thank god we have that to replace their voting machines because I was getting sick of talking about the voting machines but there are you know I'd rather see him making a statement about looking for money to look after the people you know instead of this even get every guard of station actually having a patrol car and get everyone who needs to be trained up to drive a patrol car so they can drive it with the blue lights flashing to protect people that would be great Ian McGarvey, Councillor Ian McGarvey Greg and to all of you when you look at the Ukraine situation at the moment when you look at the behaviour of Russia what kind of force would they need to give protection to the people and to the country it is unimaginable that's the first thing and if they throw money at something like that to me it's a pure waste because people refer to say the hospitals and so on and you're going to touch it later and I hope you will about the eye and so on because look there are so many demands on Russia's a small country and regrettably Greg shall I say nobody has talked about the effect of increased population number one they shared Ireland number two that's not being addressed if you look at what they were divided country when you talk about Ukraine you just compare this condition some years ago we were in the same cities and we were under attack and they proved what I was just saying President McAlice ex-president McAlice described how it was for life and well past during the time when the troubles were on we can't coexist and we can't co-operate I get you and that's another issue but do you think we should not be increasing spending then Ian? I don't think so I certainly do not Greg because I think we'll say with respect to the army as well if you take we'll say they're tellering and warfare stuff that's out there at the present time what would it represent other than we'll say a thrown money into something that we'll say wouldn't be effective so I think that a whole means to be looked at about the needs number one of the country and the protection of the country as some of them said rightly there so in a manner where they'll say what would be cooperating with others and be shared responsible because they take the water to run between here and elsewhere as well I'd be just interested to see a report published to see what level of an army and what level of spend on resources would be needed to actually be perceived as a deterrent to any invaded forces and I think we're far far far short of that okay Ian listen thank you I do want to talk about the issue of people having to travel to Sligo for eye treatment they should be able to do it in Donegal we have about four or five minutes on that after this break there's more than me coming back to the mountaintop letter Kenny this month Res takes beds have just opened their brand new showroom and if you're like me and you really appreciate a good night's sleep these guys have brilliant ranges of beds and mattresses and they have some great offers to call in and check out their new showroom no open just beside us here at the mountaintop in letter Kenny they say you should have your second baby first because with your second baby you'll have learned what to do but not to do what's best for baby and best for you like the loopy-loo range from Lidl find everything your baby needs at our big baby event including our award-winning nappies from only 66 cent when you know what to do loopy-loo available exclusively at Lidl more for you the key is Fortage Donegal's best-selling car for 2022 if you're thinking about making the move to Kia or to upgrade your current Kia make sure to call in today to iMotor's letter Kenny or Malin with a seven-year warranty as standard driving a Kia makes sense this Sunday afternoon as part of a huge doubleheader at Clonus the Donegal senior ladies begin their quest for an Ulster title against Kevin join us on Highland for full live match commentary on air from the 145 throw in and online at HighlandRadio.com coverage of the Donegal senior ladies in the Ulster Championship is in association with Henry McGinley and Sons Limited Milford Donegal specialised in structural steelwork, cladding and PVC roof systems call for a quote on 074 9153 181 Highland Radio weather updates with Ireland West Airport Gatwick's back, you can now fly Delhi to London Gatwick with Erlingis the perfect gateway to explore south London Ireland West Airport, you're flying to London OK the weather forecast a wet start this morning as rain heavy in places with possible downpours the rain will clear south eastward through the late morning and early afternoon with sunny spells and well-scattered showers temperatures 13 to 15 degrees OK, Councillor in MacGarvey you've been raising this issue for quite some time, good to see it getting further media coverage this week the fact that patients from all over Donegal and far north as University Hospital to receive treatment for chronic eye conditions because of limited alphalmic services in letter Kenny this is and these are the ones that choose to travel if they can, as I said yesterday I've spoken to people who choose not to travel and allow their eyes to deteriorate because they either can't or don't want to travel all the way to Sligo in this day and age with all the money that we're spending all over the place and what we've been talking about it's completely acceptable isn't it? Except what you just said Greg because I'll tell you why I've been aware of the facilities in letter Kenny I've been aware of the fact that there is no reason whatsoever that consultants couldn't be brought to letter Kenny to deal with the problems, the equipment there everything's there now I had reason to be in the clinic there recently myself and I have discussed it again with the person as well and there is absolutely no reason whatsoever but here we have people and their eyes are so important Greg Why can't they do one day clinic amongst them? I was just going to say this Greg I was going to say why don't the batch people bring consultants onto the county to deal with the problem because we shall not sit here but an eye clinic or anything else the person can't drive themselves they have something to go with them as well they take after work and so on and all the rest of it. I had the reason one time to realize a person who had treatment in Slago came home at 12 o'clock at night and I started to bleed the phone Slago hospital do come up but there would be nobody to see it in the morning when they would open all the hard lights here for them to sit on they were there after 10 o'clock in the morning before somebody could see them these are the situations that should not prevail because the eye is so important factor for any individual whatsoever and I've been raising it for some years because there are facilities there in St Connell's and it doesn't interfere with the general hospital Greg but the one thing when we talk about hospitalization look what has happened even the heart treatment thing and the diagnosis I just want to bring Ian I'm not being ignorant I hope you don't understand but we've got two minutes and I just want to stay on this issue of and Damien we want to say that's before a code Greg nobody has yet said if an increase of 16,000 is coming and let a kidney which will be with the whole borough of Slago why we should neglect having the facilities here particularly in a cross border aspect as well as the whole northwest and that's why we're talking about it to try and keep that pressure on I think Greg is so important for all of you to be aligned in the same line too as well Damien, you would have come across this story of course through your newspaper just in the pure notion that someone, a generous we can be an older person being asked to travel to Slago from anywhere in a show and are outside of it's crazy in this day and age for the islands Damien, it truly is it seems to be par for the course for so much here I mean I know my own late grandmother travelled to Slago on an over vacation to get that very injection from Newton so I mean it was a matter of one of my aunts taking the day off to bring her down to get this injection in the eye, it's a very short procedure you'd really wonder how it can be delivered up here but look, it's like so much of the health it's like there's elections going on in the north today and the current is happening but like the partition of the country absolutely screws us in Donegal and always has, I mean this procedure should be available for us in Alps MacGelvin really, rather than having to run the Lerakene we have to run the Lerakene for everything and it's not handy for people from Malinhead to go up to get a PC order we have a what you call a mobile clinic that used to come to Boncran and they don't do it no more, they just say I'll just pop up to Lerakene pop up to Lerakene from Greencastle or pop up to Lerakene from Mal there's no popping in it unfortunately one of the ways that the country looks at it everything is locked out on a county basis if there's one of those in each county that's the county our county's too big our county's the size of three or four small counties and we only get one of these we're badly cut and you would think that surely Sailton would have the sense to be able to provide one week a month or whatever the case might be and assess everybody but there's clearly no thought as anybody who ever gets an appointment in Dublin for the thing, we'll see you at 8 o'clock on the morning, you'll get a what you call an appointment in Dublin for 8 o'clock in the morning and you're going down and staying in the hotel overnight they just think that you're coming from 15 minutes on their own and the same thought process goes on in Lerakene hospital, I see people all the time getting called up for X-rays in Lerakene when there's an X-ray centre down in Cairn and we're called to slaggle what the drop-up will have to people don't realise the travel it has to be done OK Damien, that's where we have to leave it listen, I really appreciate your comments you joining us as always, thank you very much indeed take care Damien, Councillor Ian McGarvey thank you very much for taking the time out this morning to speak with us glad to talk to all of you and last but not least, Imer thank you very much, hope to see you again soon thank you very much, thank you that was the Friday panel we'll be back with more on the 9 o'clock noon show including an interview with the Tarnished Lee of Radcar and we have Conor Malone joining Michael a little later to discuss all things entertainment and we're going to be answering your legal questions after 10 by the way so if you've got a question for Seamus Gunn, get in contact with us right now, he'll answer that for you I hope, back after the news and a bit of rain notices with Michaela LINE on air, online and on the Highland Radio app this is Highland Radio News Good morning, I'm Michaela Clark with the news at 10 o'clock The DUP has refused to confirm whether it will enter into the Northern Ireland Assembly if it's headed by a Sinn Fein First Minister Counting has begun in the storm and elections in the North and it's likely Sinn Fein will emerge as the largest party for the first time Opinion polls suggest the Alliance Party will also gain seats while a fall in DUP support is expected The party's Brexit spokesperson Sami Wilson says Sinn Fein's actions will decide the DUP's position The Disabilities Minister says work is continuing in conjunction with the Department of Health on the Department of Equality to develop a review of safeguarding at disability centres in Donegal Minister Ann Rabbit has this week called for an independent review of the facilities to be carried out She was speaking in the door last night during a topical issue debate on a Hickory report published last week which identified a number of governance and safeguarding shortcomings during inspections at 18 HSC run disability centres in Donegal The debate also heard further calls for the Brandon report to be published Minister Rabbit says work is ongoing with regards to ensuring the protection of service users We need to look at the social care model and stop calling issues like episodes whereas understanding what that pattern came from and knowing how to support the staff but most importantly the service user Work is underway Deputy Pringle and I hope with the cooperation of Minister Donnelly and Minister O'Gorman that this will be expedited as in we hope to have a framework by June Food shortages could lead to a new migrant crisis for Europe That's a warning from Midlands North West MEP Colin Markey The war in Ukraine and sanctions on Russia are raising serious questions about the supply of food and the idea of migration from Africa towards Europe He says the EU has a moral responsibility to act The knock-on effect of let's say a famine in somewhere like North Africa means a potential immigrant crisis of a different sort into Europe that's not war driven but famine driven and that has a knock-on effect for Europe so even though Europe has its own food security this issue is of a major concern to Europe A record number of passengers between Donegal and Dublin last month Passenger numbers on the Donegal Dublin PSO route operated by Emerald Airlines is said to have exceeded pre-COVID levels in April Donna Marie Doherty has more Here on Smith Head of Commercial at Emerald Airlines says it's clear to see that recovery is well and truly underway with the record number of passengers availing of flights between Donegal and Dublin in April He says forward bookings on the route are also looking positive for the summer months with a large demand for passengers travelling all. Minister of State Hildegard Norton says passenger numbers on the route have exceeded pre-COVID levels The airline took over from Amapola which temporarily operated the route and now offers four flights daily linking Donegal to Dublin Irish Royal Link says broadband must be delivered to rural Ireland It's holding its 30th anniversary conference in Athlone today which will focus on Ireland of the 1990s It believes the rollout of broadband to every household in rural Ireland is wanted. CEO of Irish Royal Link Sheamus Bowland wants Minister Heather Humphries who will be at the event to invest more in rural hubs We will be calling on Heather Humphries to increase the investment into the hubs the business hubs and the towns and villages to make the towns and villages a more suitable place to work for but also to persuade Enterprise Ireland and other job creation agencies to bring business and industry into the rural towns and villages Whether now rain heavy in places this morning with possible downpours the rain will clear through this morning and early afternoon with highest temperatures of 13 to 15 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 death has taken place of Enid McLean, Ross Bracken letter Kenny, who has private to family, friends and neighbours at the request of the deceased funeral arrangements to be confirmed later The death has occurred of Angela Kelly Ney Granahan, Mack Meenstein convoy, remains reposing at her home this evening from five o'clock funeral leaving her home on Sunday afternoon at half past two for three o'clock in St. Mary's Church convoy, interment afterwards in the new cemetery donations and leo flowers if so desired directly to the Donegal Hospice or care of any family member The heist is private to family and close friends only please The death has taken place of Winifred McLaughlin maharad heist, Pillar Park, Bunkranna Winifred's remains are reposing at Porter's funeral home Mina Gory Bunkranna with viewing today and tomorrow from seven until 10 o'clock only Requiemass in St. Mary's Church like Mallon on Monday afternoon at one o'clock with burial in the adjoining cemetery The death has taken place of Michael Farn, Mickey Rowe, Moffroad Caldaff, Michael's remains are reposing at his daughter Pauline's home. Pillar from there on Sunday morning at 10 o'clock for mass at half past 10 in St. Patrick's Church followed by burial in the adjoining graveyard. Family time please from 11 p.m. until 11 a.m. The death has occurred of Hubert Wilson, Inch Post Office, Morris, Inch Island Hubert's remains will be reposing at the home of Carmel Lynch the patch inch road burnt foot today from 11 o'clock until half past 10 Heist is private from 11 30 p.m. until 11 a.m. Removal to Mallon morning at quarter past 10 to your lady of Lurge Church Inch Island for recreation mass at 11 o'clock while by interment in the adjoining cemetery Family flowers only please donations in lay of desire to your lady of Lurge Church Webcam fund Kev Murphy Funeral Directors Hubert's funeral and recreation mass will be recorded and can be viewed on Inichon Funeral Services Facebook page or YouTube later in the evening. The death has taken place of Glenn Carr Heist, Glenn Carr Letter Kenny. Porex's remains will be reposed in the Eternal Light, Chapel of Rathmite and Top Letter Kenny this evening from 6 until 8 o'clock. Funeral Mass in St. John's Cathedral Letter Kenny at 3 o'clock tomorrow afternoon fall by interment in Newlack Cemetery. Funeral Mass can be viewed on ChurchServices.tv Family flowers only donations of desire to Peter Heist at care of any family member. The death has taken place of Josephine Bradley, Nate Timoney, 38th Beachwood Road Letter Kenny and formerly Mina Toy Fintine. Josephine's remains are reposing atterly at residence. Funeral from there tomorrow afternoon at quarter past four going to St. John's Cathedral Letter Kenny for half past four recreation mass which can be viewed live on ChurchServices.tv interment afterwards to Commel Cemetery. Family flowers only please donations only of flowers if desired to Archview Large Nursing Home Comfort Fund care of any family member. Rosary Tonight at 9 o'clock. Family time please from 10 o'clock until 11 o'clock. The death has taken place of John Doherty, William Briney, Gord Fad Clamane his remains are reposing atterly at residence. Funeral leaving from there on Sunday afternoon at quarter past 12 going to Church Clamane for recreation mass at 1 o'clock with burial afterwards in Nea Joining Cemetery. Family flowers only please donations only of desired to St. Column Killed Village care of any family member or Cumsgate Funeral Directors. Highs private please from 10 p.m. until 11 a.m. on the morning of the funeral family and neighbours only please. Funeral mass can be viewed live on ChurchServices.tv The death has occurred of Mary Joyce Main Street Dunlow. Her remains are reposing at McGlynn's funeral home today from 2 until 9 o'clock. Rosary Tonight at 9 o'clock. Highs private please from 10 o'clock until 11 a.m. on the morning of the funeral family and neighbours only please. Funeral mass can be viewed live on ChurchServices.tv The death has occurred of Mary Joyce Main Street Dunlow. Rosary Tonight at 9 o'clock. Highs private please. Funeral mass tomorrow afternoon at 1 o'clock in St. Crohn's Church Dunlow with interment afterwards in Mahry Cemetery. The death has occurred of James Jim Francis, 20 Solomon's Manor Letter Kenny, formerly Belfast. Recreate mass this morning in St. John's Cathedral Letter Kenny at 11 o'clock with interment afterwards in the family and mass can be viewed on ChurchServices.tv Family flowers only please. Donations of wish to St. John's Nursing Home Residence Comfort Fund. For more details including any family health guidelines for wigs and funerals please go to HighlandRadio.com With all the stories that matter across the north west it's Greg Hughes on the 9 to noon show on Highland Radio. Thank you to the program coming up very shortly. Shame is gone. We'll be joining us to answer your legal questions if you have one get it into us now. I'll do my very best to get an answer for you. Get some advice for you. Also a little later on Thomas to the override car scheduled to come on the program will also be hearing from Michael and Connem alone as will be joining us now for Phanula who is back next Friday in her usual positions. That's all coming up on the program today. Politicians should not be working 24 hours a day on a miserable wage as a member of the permanent defense forces. She has not got a clue what it's like to be a member. Another caller says when we talk about defense our biggest threat is cyber security. It could cripple our country. We saw what one attack on the HSE was. So he's not going to make the decision to put his family first family comes first before anything else they say what about the new bridge in letter Kenny Charlie McConnell promised to make it his priority of elected another caller Greg. Why do we need more TVs? When you have then we have there are currently 650 constituencies each sending one EP to MP sorry to the House of Commons corresponding to approximately one for parliamentary electors more than a greater ratio than here. Hi Greg just want to say a massive thanks to yourself and Caroline for your time on the show on Tuesday and letting us get the fundraiser out there. 65 holes for five roses. We've had loads of donations since the show Highland is such a brilliant platform when we are big fans of the show still praying the weather holds up tomorrow that comes in from Vinny and Mark and Vinny is doing 65 holes is going to be joined by a number of people along the way letter Kenny golf course I think it's going to be damp early on but the weather is going to pick up a little later on a fantastic by the way in terms of that campaign I haven't seen better in terms of the use of social media very very impressive how they've conducted that campaign in terms of in the first instance raising awareness and then secondly of course raising funds. Hi Greg it's a joke that you can only tax in the tax office on a Tuesday and a Thursday only in Ireland Greg thanks and I think the closing time is it's quite early in the day as well I don't understand why that is Hi listening to you talking about the price of oil I have the oil on all the time from March to October to March the thousand litres lasts three months I have it in 25 years very happy with it comes in finula so finula you'd be talking at the current prices you'd be talking at 400 euro a month in home heating on really really quite significant if you've had your burner though for 25 years you might want to look at that because the new ones I think it can cost about 600 euro to change at the burner itself I think the new ones are more economical than the older ones you might even squeak a month out of it but sure an extra month but if it's been well-serviced maybe I don't know I'm not an oil expert technician but the new burner is going to be more efficient than the old burner Greg can you Greg can you oh sorry that's a question for Seamus Gunn you know what let's get Seamus on the program here are the bingo numbers back after these and a quick break Seamus Gunn joining us very shortly It's time for NCBI Bingo on Highland Radio It's Friday the 6th of May you're playing on the yellow sheet the reference number is s10 it's game number 18 the numbers are 75 65 24 80 25 73 71 45 67 and finally 64 phone your claim to 9104833 before it tonight leave your name contact number and the name of the shop where you purchased your book and we'll call you back the next working day get all your NCBI Bingo information at highlandradio.com Farmers to be paid 100 euro per hectare for silage and hay for more in this week's Irish farmers journal is Paul Mooney we have all the details of the new silage scheme targeting beef and sheep farmers major chuggers you turn on suckler beef advice the beef trade is booming we reveal the reasons why and will it last and find out how you could save thousands by switching mortgage provider plus don't miss our bailed silage special only inside this week's Irish farmers journal you cannot afford to miss it since she got her free hearing aids with her PRSI at spec savers Roshin is a changed one music has never sounded better and that makes her dance and dance and dance her singing though yeah well free hearing aids with PRSI spec savers music to your ears find out more online terms and conditions apply Ellen write what you want to be when you grow up on the blackboard Ellen remember to sign up for the swim team Ellen all competitors must register today nothing is written until you write it Ellen can I have your autograph you write it we underwrite it Allianz proudly supporting Paralympics Ireland since 2010 making gardening news our correspondent Petunia at Alcorns garden center I am surrounded by an array of spectacular summer bedding these beauties are moving fast with last year's prices held wow I'm amazed by the choice of shrubs trees roses and perennials ah rosemary has just elected a super specimen plant and trendy ceramic pot oh Craig is advising on the many baskets buy from Alcorns where a value happens every day welcome back to the 9 till noon show good morning Seamus gone how are you morning Greg nice to be here yeah great to see you great to hear you yeah for sure it'd be great to have you back up give you a break from the office as resplendent as it looks behind you but yeah I'll have you a bit of a break yeah get out and about yeah why not right people texting in their questions we'll get to them shortly 08 6 60 25 thousand that's the whatsapp and text for questions to Seamus gone but I suppose the trial of the year so far is taking place in the United States I'm not going to like it's not something I've taken a keen interest it's Johnny Depp versus Amber Herd and really you know the waltz and all everything everything in the closets and cupboards is all being laid out to bear tell us the background to this to this trial Seamus yeah it's fascinating like there's nothing like a show biz trial in the US to get people's interest and it is been watched and of course it's megabucks but but parking that aside I mean there's so much at stake for the likes of Johnny Depp like you know who's you know world renowned and we all go back to and enjoy to have to say the pirates back in the 80s and you know all children really enjoy that show and I think there was another one in the pipeline so his career is been you could say there's a bet on his entire future with this case as to whether he will have a future and so the stakes are extremely high and this lady is not for going away what is remarkable though is this two years ago you might remember the same case came up in England and he took on the son for an article in which again alleged libel and he lost now rather than learn a lesson from that where are we now we're going on with a show trial in Fairfax County in the US and it's more of the same it's quite horrific the detail that's coming out now and the allegations being made against him she put an article in the Washington Post and in her round at the end of 2018 actually he wasn't named personally but they're saying or they're claiming to the jurors that it was clear that Amber Heard was referencing him at that stage the divorce had already been finalized and there had only this work noting been married for some two years but at that stage it had been finalized since 2017 now yesterday she's recounting incidents on planes and violence and really bizarre behavior in the extreme on his part it's going to come down to credibility why it has got to this at beggars belief I would have thought that this was one of those type of cases that he is a lot more to lose he's been sued for 50 million dollars and there's a counter claim against him now for a hundred million so where it's going to play out a jury's going to decide on his career is that sensible for what he has to look forward to I doubt very much you often advocate for parties coming to some sort of an agreement before it gets to court neither I don't think are short of cash she's a successful actor in her own right but what's clear from the evidence mud sticks regardless of the outcome from the jury the reputational damage is done now as you say he does have a film coming out maybe these actors have a way of making the public happy but be that as it may even they might just find in one or other's favour an award one dollar in damages or something who's to say the reputations are shot anyway at least for the short to medium term of both people yeah and she has more time maybe on her side and I think the public might be more sympathetic to her I think there's over a 20 year age gap here Johnny Depp we won't say he's in the twilight or thereabouts and like he was type cast to some degree with the pirates with that particular film what I mean he did there was talk about him having a massive show coming out Fantastic Beasts I think it was gone which was a Harry Potter spin off as well with another Pirates of Penzance film so if that doesn't happen where is he then this type of action to me one especially with a claim and counter claim that could have been resolved at an earlier stage and not got into the public arena where he is going to be the big loser and the stakes are too high for him and I just if being advised after London I cannot see how you should go and repeat it again interesting this time Greg we'll be finally on this the son while the son was sued on the last occasion the Washington Post who printed the article in 2018 is not a party to this case at all it's just himself and herself going at it and it doesn't make for pleasant reading very funny he would have chosen he would have chosen the state for legal reasons where this case might be heard it's quite random well the reason it's in Fairfax County is that the Washington Post is published in Fairfax County next door I think to Washington and the jury yes maybe I don't think there might be some more sympathy for them there but I think jurors in the US historically are very unpredictable and just from the way it's playing out in the media at the minute I think that the Amber Heard side of it has some credibility it has been tested already and it could stand up again and if it does stand up again well Mr. Depp could be in serious difficulties going forward lots of questions coming in today Sheamus it's always busy but particularly busy I call it once your views if it's okay on the leak from the American courts on the Roe vs Wade case I mean obviously you know I don't think we have time to sort of get into the ins and outs of it it's not unprecedented as we learned recently but it's certainly we haven't seen a leak of this nature in quite some time and the ramifications and the ripples from this are huge and I don't think they're just huge in America I think if there is a big change in policy in half the states in the United States that puts a fire under pro-life movements right across the world including in this country The first question I think you have to ask is in relation to Roe vs Wade and the leak is are they testing the waters are they finding out what the reaction is going to be if this is the way this judgement goes they have until I believe late maybe June to make definitive decisions so this is a draft but it hasn't been denied that that is the content so the draft at the moment is accurate now they're getting the public feedback now they shouldn't be crossing the line between the politics and the legislature and the judiciary that's sanctum but I believe there's a little bit of that going on here could be wrong but I think so so that could all change but the interesting thing about the Roe vs Wade decision in 1970 is that it took away from the states the United States the power to make laws to prohibit abortion if it's turned over in simple terms that's given back to the states themselves so the states individually they make the decisions then whether to outlaw abortion whether to allow it in certain circumstances restricted or otherwise so that's what's fascinating about this and that's why there's so much at play and that's why they were outside the Supreme Court when this was leaked I think it was Monday evening and that night they were already there so they were in masses both sides so it shows you what is really at play here and the other thing about the Roe vs Wade thinking or what I thought was fascinating is that that came down on the right of privacy of women to make decisions with regard to whether to terminate and that that was a constitutional right enshrined in the constitution that had to be upheld now I don't know that is watery enough to me and I think that they have an issue about that but the bottom line here and this is the one that I think should be more focused on is the ramifications the consequences if you give them back the power you give Texas back the power to decide there's going to be no abortion there's going to be no abortion well they say it's 50-50 across the states that in terms of how that might be implemented if this as it's leaked I think yeah I haven't got the percentages I would have thought that it is more the majority far I would have thought 30-20 amongst the public individuals it's 60-40 for further restrictions to be placed but in terms of the actual states I read somewhere that individually the states it's quite divided and there could be 20 though there could be up to 20 states that would completely understand that's the point and then we're talking about fringe states with restrictions and in certain circumstances 12 weeks limits but there could be 20 that would be Islam don't just know and if that power is there'll be a lot more something that is we will be probably revisiting at some time in the future but let's see after June what they do they might water it down a bit and that's my prediction alright okay we'll be back with your questions to shame us after these messages fancy some me time in a macafe before you start the day fancy sharing the gossip and some fries over lunch or a ketchup over a cheeseburger fancy chilling out with a chocolate milkshake so worth the brain freeze fancy a cheeky diversion on the way home or a McFlurry before the bus arrives fancy a Big Mac in a box set and not doing the washing up fancy pretending it's a weekend on a weekday or a bit of family time because it's always a good time for some McNuggets fancy a McDonald's whistling serving times a play iMotor's Nissan the place for award winning range of vehicles including the Micra, Leaf, Duke, Kashkai and the all new Nissan area visit our website iMotors.ie for more details or call<PHONE_NUMBER> to arrange a test drive for all your health and beauty needs you can always rely on McGee's chemist in Etter Kenny if you need a prescription just call or order online 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There's absolutely no compromise on quality or taste look out for our new lower prices just one of the ways to save with M&S food subject to availability new lower price since March 31st see in store for details and you are very welcome back to the Ninclenoon show here on Highland Radio Seamus Gone is still with us some of the questions you've been sending us in a trick you on this Seamus for the listener perhaps not in terms of your advice my partner passed away six months ago we'd split the cost of a car together now another member of his family who is a beneficiary has taken the vehicle from this person's house who should I be contacting in relation to this because I don't know where I stand so they have a 50 per cent stake in this car but a beneficiary of the deceased has already taken it yeah but what I haven't clarified is as a partner were the cohabitants but let's assume for the purpose of the question that there were partners in the car and had obviously a relationship and it was long term it is tricky and it's very sensitive and I'm emphasising that because these things can be got so wrong at the start and it sets the tone going forward there's a lot of grief and emotion involved with the loss of a loved one and there's no doubt about that but for that reason you have to sometimes take a slight step back the parties though that are involved and the caller wants to know who to contact well they have obviously an interest in the car it was 50-50 the partner may have wanted them to have it the first question you have to find out is are there any arrangements made if this individual doesn't know now it would be unusual if they were living together that they didn't know that the individual had some arrangements made but I can and does happen so if they're not aware of that I would suggest that they have to make some contact with the next of kin the party that would be responsible is if there is a will would be the executor of the estate so that's where you that's where you set your inquiry towards and to find that out you're probably going to have to engage with his or her family and see the situation and outline the position in relation to the purchase of the car it may be there's no issue at all it may be just a slight misunderstanding in relation to it and when the background and the facts are outlined it can be simply resolved and amicably resolved and far better that way I have to say but make the inquiry and take it from there if there is an estate it will be the executor a caller says a daughter and her 7 year old daughter got a bus to Dublin the bus broke down on the way to Dublin and the way back taking 7 hours to get down to Dublin she complained to the bus company wanting a refund but they refused where does she stand I mean it's an act of God is it there are delays in relation to flights traffic yes there might be some redress for food and accommodation etc but this is not one of these situations if buses are to be penalized because one breaks down because the schedule is running behind they're difficult enough making a living as it is certainly be out of business if that's the case so yes certainly can make a case maybe on a PR if you want me to advise on that for the purpose of the bus company to give them a complimentary ticket yes that's something you might look at might be worthwhile and might foster good relations going forward but if you're asking me technically speaking the bus company are obligated to reimburse they've fulfilled their contract by the way you pay for the ticket they were taken from A to B so one of that is yes they give you these times that they arrive at depart at and arrive at and circumstances can change those and my view is that if they wanted to take this into litigation it certainly would be thrown good money after bad Can you ask Sheamus if I'm entitled to money back from my insurance company I was in an accident eight years ago and it was recently proven that I was not at fault insurance premiums were so expensive after the accident it's an interesting question and it's one that I wouldn't say that there would be no hope in pursuing as they describe it somebody eight years later that if it's a case that they're totally exonerated well then no liability should have been attributed to them the difficulty with it is this that if the insurance company has defended that case up to that point they should have incurred significant costs and expenses themselves on foot of it and that would be under the terms of their policy but that should be built into the third party cover if there are no claims bonus was suspended during this period which I suspect they're hinting at it's that differential between that and the full reinstatement of it and for that period that they're talking about the loss and I think that they have certainly a case to put forward that they should be entitled to reimbursement of that if there was no fault with them because it would have been suspended as soon as the claim goes in so now is the time to look at it go to the insurance ombudsman if not getting anywhere it's not without hope the insurance company made claim but they've had significant costs in defending it and that's where the issue might have to be trashed out I think that there is some bone if you design it and the involvement of the ombudsman would prick the ears of the insurance company as well if they were to take on the case especially if it's one they can without a doubt you see like again you know we're talking about big corporations you know against the small David and Gilles situation so if somebody stands up to them outlines the facts that eight years ago yes there was a claim yes but they have been cleared of that and in the meantime they've been penalised I think that's very very state and reasonable to say well I should be reinforced all right to walking right of way where someone has put a gate and a lock on it what is the best way to go around dealing with this issue it's a complicated one and there's a an awful lot of these little cases all around the place yeah yeah and for people out walking and walking through lands etc and it arises it arises all the time and gives obviously it can cause a lot of difficulty can cause litigation can cause circuit court applications and title actions in it and in these type of cases that and circumstance the first point is to get all the facts as to the use of it and the history regarding it and who owns the actual ground itself and who has the access or the easement over it and then when you're armed with that you can make decisions there's not the in law in relation to the ownership one can have a gate but if there's people using it if they have access through it and they're not prevented so be it once they have established an easement the big point that arises in this is what rights are established and in order to deal with that particular case you would have to have the entire background and the history and the use in relation to it but in terms of a right of way right you can establish a right of way but there are not other not competing rights of the land owner as well like a right of way if it's through someone's property you know they could that they they could face themselves liable for a trip or a fall or if an animal were to attack a walk or what have you like a right of way doesn't give someone does it an absolute right of way surely there's competing rights no absolutely not there's what's called the dominant and serbian tenements if you want to get into the technicalities into the technicalities of it and the dominant and serbian serbian tenements as to well the owner has the ultimate say with regard to the property and are in control of it and in relation to insurance etc that is the situation so you can understand that any other rights are they're not competing with them there was called an easement an easement is a right to pass and refask over an area of ground to facilitate an individual getting somewhere else getting to be from A and through C so that is where the dominant and serbian tenements come into it but you're quite correct in that a land owner is entitled to protect their property and is entitled to manage the access to it or through it and anybody else would be serbian to that all right time for a couple of quickies if that's all right this might be employment law indeed a job for HR but my employer is not giving me a pay slip every week when I get paid he keeps putting it off when I ask I'm a full-time employee what might be going on here what are my rights to access an actual pay slip we can't say what's going on I would say the individuals any individual employee is entitled to pay slip if they've requested it should be furnished these type of situations you don't really want them to degenerate and sour the relationship between the employer and the employee HR would always tell you that it should be easily resolved if they deteriorate you're talking about the work relations commission and lodging if you go on their website it's self-explanatory all the different reliefs and all the different types of complaints that can be made and addressed to them and then they would have probably raised the matter with the employer but it's simply this the employee if they have requested a slip they would be entitled to it Greg and Seamus my dad has a bit of property he has made a will but we're wondering would it be best and less expensive in the long run if he actually signed it over to us before he passed away we're thinking on tax and probate yeah well to be fair I think you'd want to ask the dad that because this is the beneficiary that's asking the question or let's say the assumed beneficiary that's asking the question so it could certainly be in their interest that this matter be addressed now but the person who owns the property would then be minus the property for the rest of the life and might want to make a different decision about if circumstances change for example if everyone's living longer nowadays they have to go into care and have to provide for themselves well it might be handy to have a bit of property they might want to sell it or whatever at that point in their lives so if they've made their arrangements they would go through probate yes there would be certain fees involved in that if they want to go ahead with a transfer now and there's no issue with that but it has to be the transfer or the person who owns it who makes that decision and gives the instruction not the person who's hoping to receive it because of course it doesn't cost the person who is alive anything in terms of time legal bills or probate that's the receiver that puts them costs if you go ahead with the transfer now it'll be the transfer who would have to pay the stamp duty now and the legal fees on that at this stage and now there's a legal requirements it's around, well it must be nine or ten years now it's on two firms, it's listeners to be involved as well so if the person has decided to divest themselves of an asset at this stage in their life they'd best be independently advised on it first of all making a decision and making an informed decision on that and there's no difficulty with it but remember it should be their decision okay thank you as always for your time that's the physical offices of course you're ever present online ever present, thankfully Greg don't go on solicitors.ie or gon.ie, keep it simple all right good stuff, thank you very much indeed Sheamus, 08, 6, 60, 25,000 that is the WhatsApp number so call an 07491 25,000 it is time for us to take a commercial break we will be right back stay right where you are come and join Michael and his super band for a spectacular musical extravaganza a brand new tour of his best yes celebrate once again with the night of nonstop sing-along favorites it's a show you simply won't want to miss for more on The 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Visit census.ie to find out more. Be counted. Visit formal presentations at 7 from Dunnegal County Council and the Keherlock of Dunnegal County Council, Councillor Jack Murray. For more information visit dunnegaldevplan.ie that's dunnegaldevplan.ie and dunnegalcoco.ie When it feels like money's tight, it's good to know that there's an Aldi price match at Tesco with hundreds of your favourite products every week. From bananas to Barry's tea, so you can be sure you'll find the products that matter most to you, because right now, every little helps. Shopping took place in the 7th of April. Price jet to match to comparable products from select Aldi ROI stores and or online weekly. Price most often found is matched pro-rat and excluding promotions. Products matched may vary by week. Product availability varies by store. For verification see tesco.ie forward slash groceries. Country Sundays continue at the Clenery Hotel this weekend featuring Robert Moselle and his band. Tickets 15 euro, doors 7, 15 dancing yet till 10, followed by music in McGatigan's bar. Country Sunday hot offer includes your ticket, bed and breakfast for only 70 euro per version sharing. Country Sundays at the Clenery Hotel with Robert Moselle this Sunday. Highland radio weather updates with Ireland West Airport. This summer is going to be one of the busiest ever. Check out our summer flights to European cities such as Barcelona, Cologne and Milan with Ryanair. Ireland West Airport, you're flying. Okay, so the weather forecast continuing down for the rest of this morning. Brightening up though through the afternoon temperatures around 14 or 15 degrees. 14 to 16 degrees in fact. Okay, we welcome into the studio now. Tonnoster and leader of the Finnegale party, Leo Veradkar. Thank you so much for joining us. Good to have you here. Good morning to you. Great to be here. Right, of course, you know, there was big news for Finnegale locally. We had Joe McHugh saying that he's not going to seek election at the next election. Of course, you're up here Friday. Happy coincidence of timing or did you move things around so that, you know, the announcement came in the same week that you're going to be up speaking to party members? No, no, it was, there was some coordination around it. So Joe called me a few weeks ago to let me know of his plans and we had a discussion involving me and our party general secretary as to what the best way to handle it was and I kind of felt it'd be strange if I came here, spent the day in Tonnegale, which I was going to do anyway, and then suddenly announced it a week or two after. So we thought it'd be a good opportunity to make the announcement and then talk to the members tonight about plans for the future. But the most important thing I suppose I'd like to get across today really is just a pay tribute to Joe. Joe and I were elected to the Dall in the same election back in 2007. Both regained seats for the party in areas where we didn't have a seat at the time, served on the front bench together, the honour of wanting him as chief whip and minister of education. The highlight of his political career, he said, getting that call from you in a Friday night. Yeah, well I remember too, he remembers that obviously from his side, I remember either sitting outside an apartment building in Randall and trying to get him from the car. I think he was watching the late later or something. We had three years in government together around that cabinet table dealing with really big issues. Brexit, which is such an important issue here in Tonnegale. Very much the mic issues kicked off during that period as well, which Joe's been a very strong advocate for. And then also issues around growing the economy and reforming education. And Joe's given Tonnegale enormous service, given Finnegale enormous service, and really sorry to see him go. We do have a change of mind form available. People do sometimes change their mind, but I think what he's done in many ways is helpful to the party because in run-ups to the last election with a number of TDs who decided they were retiring didn't give us much notice. And we had to scramble to find the candidate at the last moment. Now we have two years to do succession planning and we've a number of very strong councillors and then perhaps people maybe from outside the traditional family who may be interested in running. And with no disrespect to the councillors you mentioned, loyal servants of course and in terms of councillor Martin Harley they've been there for you in the past to run alongside Joe. But you would know we've got a very low female representation on Tonnegale candidate council. We have of course no female TD for quite some time in Tonnegale. Would it be your preference that the party would look at that in Tonnegale to try and perhaps look towards a female candidate for example? Well ultimately it's the members here in Tonnegale who'll decide who the candidate is. But you're the leader. And I should just, you mentioned Martin Harley there, Martin added quite late to the ticket last time. He did very well actually given the limited amount of time that he had to run that campaign. The party is going to run 40% of our candidates, the next election at least will be women. So you know the logical thing we will try to do in each constituency is to run one man and one woman. That won't always be the case but that's what we'll try to do in most constituencies and that's the objective we're working towards. And you know Finnegale is a party that has a good record on female participation politics. I'm one of the Finnegale ministers around the table excluding me. It's three men and three women. We have 65 female councillors more than any other party. Yeah but that's why I'm highlighting Tonnegale because there's arguably a particular issue here. Not just actually with Finnegale of course. Other parties had opportunities perhaps with co-option where they could have looked at, you know, diversifying the council somewhat they didn't. So I'm not hanging this all on Finnegale but I'm just saying there does seem to be a particular, the end of the day to the electorate ultimately decide but it's about giving them choice. Yeah it is yeah and the electorate can't vote for female candidates unless they have female candidates and you know one thing that's going to be an issue of course in Tonnegale is where the boundaries lie. You know there's going to be a five-seater again, could it be two three-seaters who knows and we won't know that really until Christmas or early in the new year so we can't really make firm decisions until then. But certainly the intention in pretty much every constituency would be to have a gender balance ticket and that would be a man and a woman. It is harder in more rural constituencies and constituencies that are further away from Dublin and that is the nature of politics, you know, it is a 24-7 business. That isn't going to change, residents are still going to have meetings at night, you know what I mean. Yeah but that's the same at council level, I mean you know I'm no one broadening out the conversation but I mean if we are hoping to encourage people to come into politics from different backgrounds with different responsibilities we have to change the system don't we? I mean the way the council's run at the moment, you know, meetings that run for 10 hours, you know then people have to fulfil obligations in the evening and then clinics and the same as you particularly are supposed for rural TDS that you've outlined. Are we going to make any inroads into looking at that to make it a more realistic proposition for a broader section of society do you think? Well yes and I think being family friendly isn't just important for women, it's important for men as well and the kind of things we have changed for example is you know the dolls, arrows now are much more family friendly in terms of when votes happen. Councils can do that too and they should. And for example you know for example a lot more things can be done remotely so people can do things from home that they couldn't do before but you can't entirely change the world you know. I still think res associations are going to have their meetings at night, I still think public meetings are going to happen at weekends, you know I still think the media is going to have shows in the evening for example you know I don't see the media cancelling primetime or the late debate or any of those things so there are changes that we can make but there are also you know bigger society things that are harder to change and actually things like the media for example and politicians have to do a lot of media that's more 24 seven than ever was and I don't see the media changing that in the interest of the quality. Yeah okay now obviously you're here to address or attend the Finnegale AGM and also you're going to visit the Canton Museum and you've got other things to do. You mentioned the biggest issue here at the moment is MICA. Are you going to use this opportunity to meet with any of those directly affected by this crisis during your visit? Considering it is without arguments I don't think the biggest single issue facing the people of Donegal and as we know now beyond. Well I should say that the first thing I did this morning was to visit TCS, Tata Consultancy Services here in Natter County. I'm the Minister for Enterprise Trade and Employment, it's my job to increase the number of job opportunities in all parts of the country. Things are going really well there. They have 170 jobs open for people who may wish to apply for them. We've had two IDA investment announcements in the last couple of months we're working on another one in the next couple of months and it's good to see some of the opportunities. Is that Natter County based again? It's commercially confidential so I can't say but as you know we've three IDA sites in Natter County we've won at Donegal and won by each other as well so we're interested in getting investment into all of them but it is great to see so many more job opportunities available in Donegal than was the case in the past and I'm working on that to make that better and also remote working is really helping as well in terms of people's choices. One thing I'm actually waiting to see is the census results because as you know in 2016 Donegal was one of only two counties where the population actually went down. I think we're going to see a big turnaround in that and we have seen a lot of economic progress in the county and that didn't happen by accident. Because of the hard work of people here on the ground, the business community but also the government making some of the right decisions in the last couple of years as well. Are you going to be meeting with any of those directly affected by the Micah crisis? I am, yes. So I'm meeting the action group at half 11 today. I remember many years ago, John McHugh bringing me to a house in Bandora and it was on your daily's house and I think it was the first right to do it. It was Trillik, is that right? Yeah, I think it was Trillik No, that's fine, you said Bandora but that's fine, go ahead. Trillik, Nürburgrana, sorry. So I don't remember exactly where it was. No, that's fine. I'll never forget the visit because really seeing a house crumbling is quite an experience and I hadn't seen the problems of high right in my own constituency but hadn't seen the scale or devastation of my country then and the scheme is too long coming. I acknowledge that entirely, lots of reasons for that but speaking to the minister there on the other day it's still his intention and I think this will be delivered as it will have the legislation. Is IS 465 going to be... Before the summer. Are you confident it will be passed before the summer? Before the summer recess, yeah. Okay, and do you think the IS 465 will be looked at to include pyrite materials as well? Obviously, people are seeing that really as the problem that Mike is one of the problems, the true problem is this mineral that is having a broader impact and not just in Donegal now as you'd be more than aware it's spreading right across the country, the west coast anyway. That's the pyrite, yeah. Yeah, pyrite. Yeah, so that is currently under examination at the moment but the fundamental principle is defective building and defective blocks and while it is going to cost a lot of money it's going to cost billions of euros and it's going to affect many more parts of the country than Donegal. The fundamental principle here is that the government society can't allow people's homes to crumble around them can't allow people to become homeless as a result and that's why we're going to intervene and it shouldn't be about which county you're in or which mineral is the cause of the defect. The fundamental principle is that where insurance companies won't the government will intervene to ensure that people's homes can be repaired or rebuilt. When do you think that might start happening in a meaningful way? Obviously there's four or five or six hundred applications at the moment stalled as the scheme is being reviewed. Five or six houses have been completed I think since the 9010 scheme. When do you think we'll start seeing houses being repaired in large numbers where we can have workers and materials to actually do that of course but when would you hope to see that happening? So the timeline that we're working on is to have the legislation enacted before the summer recess so you're talking there June, July to have the scheme up and running later this year and then you'd expect I suppose next year to see a significant building works underway notwithstanding all the problems that arise around labour and materials and all the rest of it but I do think this will be going on for a long time this will be going on for many many years and it is important I suppose that we start with those homes most in need and those that are dangerous quite frankly at the moment and that they're the ones that get done first And you'd be confident that this will be a hundred percent redress that those who have their houses restored won't be out of pocket? A hundred percent or something very close to it certainly Okay, how close though? I'm not going to put a figure on it Well we did before, we had 9010 before Well it's not 9010 What I don't want to say is that nobody will ever have to contribute a euro at all to anything like that because that may not be the case but certainly a hundred percent is what the government has committed to but I don't want to say a hundred percent and have someone turn around and say they have to pay a certain amount of money out of their pocket for one reason or another particularly if it involves something outside the scheme You understand Broadly speaking nationally I suppose it's international Do you get a sense or do you have any indication? We're heading towards a recession speaking to a lot of people, there is that sense The only thing, a lot of stuff feels the same except maybe not the large amount of personal borrowing but a lawful lot feels the same as 2006, 2007, 2008 Is that the direction of traffic? Is that where we're heading? Do you think in the next year or two? I think what happened in that period the great recession back in 2008, 2009 was one of, was two things there was the global financial crisis which obviously affected Ireland, the collapse of Lehman Brothers and all of that and there was also then this housing, credit bubble huge amount of reckless ending, reckless borrowing which was very much an Irish problem it wasn't as acute in other countries so we don't have that this time you know, we have an economy that is growing that has been created every day I think we're going to reach record levels of employment 2.5 million people that work by the end of the year that's kind of my number one target to achieve if you like, full employment and jobs for everyone in all parts of the country the public finances are in a very good state actually so the domestic picture I think is actually strong and reassuring and everyone was predicting ongoing economic growth this year the big concern is those international factors and you know, we are only a small country and we're only 5 million people in a world of 8000 million people and that would be the worry you know, if Britain went into recession if the US went into recession or if Europe did those things could impact us I think we will avoid it but you can't be complacent about these things either you know, I remember I haven't always been in government when I was in opposition I remember hearing politicians trotting out that line the fundamentals of our economy are sound and anytime I hear someone say that I get worried so the situation is very close to what's happening in the rest of the world obviously the big fear is around rising costs and energy prices something large beyond our control Just in relation to that I struggle to square the circle of oil companies reporting record profits and yet we're supposed to be in a fuel crisis and we are 1200 euro for 1000 litres of oil we've grown that in three months we could look to diverse away from that but putting that to one side for a moment is there anything as a government we can be doing a windfall tax or whatever it might be so that those ridiculous profits, they're obscene profits that these old companies are making in this crisis can lighten the load on our population in terms of the cost of energy you know companies operate off margins so you know and their margins 3% their profit and cash terms increases I think we can do windfall taxes on companies that have disproportionately benefited from are we actively looking at that but the difficulty is they're generally not Irish companies like British BP, Shell that these oil and gas companies are not Irish companies and they're not taxed here the only place where that might arise is around some of the energy companies so say for example if ESB made a mega profit internally we have no mechanism to leverage in the way we do like for example from state companies like ESB and Borgos we can take a bigger dividend we already take a big dividend off them and that goes into the pot to pay for health and education and everything else and then you know with some of the other energy companies that are privately owned we could do windfall tax if they report windfall but it's on a relatively small scale it's not like BP no we're not going to have BP over an oil barrel no I understand that I just wanted to put that out there because the tax come in all the time and I just wanted to make it clear what influence we could have as a country in that regard so I appreciate you addressing that certainly not ruling out a windfall tax and we could use some of that money to help people with fuel poverty for example but it's not that those oil and gas companies are headquartered in tax and are then they're not we don't have any oil and we don't have much gas unfortunately obviously one of the big stories at the moment is the turf and the banning of turf and it's how we're treated as the public in terms of how these conversations happen Aiman Ryan says something then you say something else I'm not sure at that time if it had even been discussed amongst government partners we got the leaks out of cabinet meetings, we got the leaks out of parliamentary party meetings we're reading and learning stuff out of the newspapers can you not do anything about that whereby the public are treated with some respect and maybe were the first to hear about some policies or were the first to hear about major changes to our lives I mean we're not talking about thousands of people here but it feels people feel very disrespected and you know behind newspapers in terms of of importance Yeah look at this, this whole thing could have been handled a lot better and I think I sort of acknowledge that I think Mr Ryan would as well Do you agree now by the way sorry Aiman Ryan We both agree that nothing's decided and it hasn't been by the way and certainly wouldn't have been the intention of anyone in government to show disrespect to our citizens and to our voters that's not the way we operate you know ultimately we rely on the support of citizens and voters to continue in our jobs and we would never deliberately disrespect people but I can understand why people may feel that way because you know particularly for people who eat their homes with turf you know just to kind of hear that something was happening and then it wasn't happening you know it's not very fresh on our part and I know can cause anxiety for people and that deafing was never was never our intention what this is about is it's about air quality and you know the truth is burning sort of turf burning, smoky coal you know burning wet wood particles into the air and those particles get into your lung can cause lung cancer they get into your blood can cause strokes and heart attacks and whether you live in rural Ireland or urban Ireland people are entitled to better air quality and that's our objective you know 1,300 people die 10 years earlier than they should every year because of our poor air quality so we need to do something about it the biggest culprit is actually smoky coal a lot of it being imported from Northern Ireland where their environmental laws are weaker than ours hopefully the new executive might change that so we need to do something to improve our air quality but it needs to be done the right way and you know I'm very much at the view that people who save turf who have their own turf should be continued to be able to do that but Amy and Ryan say that's for 2022 but when these new rules come into effect in September if they're agreed as he wants them things could be very different for 2023 so he's giving assurances effectively he believes all the turf will be saved and it'll be stopped being burned before September 2023 is only next year obviously what will be life for people who cut their own turf maybe give it to their elderly neighbours maybe sell a few bags will they be able to do that in 2023 well you know first of all no regulations are agreed yet but he keeps suggesting that this is going to be the law in September well I think he's expressing his intention there but just to be clear no regulations have been signed off by government yet they haven't and all three parties will have to sign off on them what I can say to people who save and burn their own turf that's their own business government is not going to intervene in that at all the question really is around distribution you know gifting turf to other people or the sale of it and that's where we need to work something out and I think where people have traditionally given turf as a gift to somebody maybe a relative or friend or neighbour that that should be allowed to continue and I think selling on a small scale should be allowed to continue as well but what's happening too much particularly in the midlands you know it's odd turf and wet wood being sold in petrol stations being sold in retail outlets being burnt in housing estates and that's not good because that is damaging the air quality in rural towns in particular and that has health impacts on everyone OK I know we've only got a couple of minutes just two Northern Ireland counting of votes is beginning now things play out as are being predicted and listen we're not going to hold you to this because we simply don't know but we're getting indications of course we have for some time that Sinn Fein could be the biggest party in Northern Ireland the middle ground alliance doing very well of course as well have you any confidence that a government and executive can be formed in Northern Ireland post this election I think it will be soon sorry I should speak I just hope it will take weeks or months and not years and we've seen too many breaches and breaks in the continuity of the executive in the past the votes are only being counted so we're going to need to see what happens I think Sinn Fein will emerge as the largest party but not because their vote will be up and might actually be down the reason why they'll emerge as the largest party is the Unionist vote is fractured among three parties and what we may see actually is the combined nationalist vote going down the combined Unionist vote going down and the middle ground made up of alliance and the Greens actually being the ones that are growing and that is interesting because that is a change in the politics of Northern Ireland that many of us including me have hoped to see for a very long time people actually going away from the sectarian parties and supporting parties that are across community and that I think is an opportunity because if you go back to the original Good Friday Agreement it wasn't the case that the biggest party got the First Minister's job when you go back to the original Good Friday Agreement it was to be a cross-community vote and I think that's the space that we may need to explore after this the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister they're just titles, they're actually co-equal it's bragging rights in many ways and are we really going to not have an executive for two years or three years because of bragging rights you know why not have a joint First Minister so these are the kind of things I think we need to discuss Last question, do you think your party will win government after the next election do you think it might suit your party maybe for a period of opposition and all you're prepared to take your party into opposition but obviously you felt that you had to work with Fianna Ford to put a functioning government into place it's a long way away of course and you may do very very well but do you think maybe Irish politics and the Republic needs a break from Fianna Ford and Fianna Gale working together maybe for both the parties to establish their single identities again well you know I think the problem of that is there would be very negative consequences almost certainly the alternative to the current government would be a Sinn Fein-led government and the effects of that I think would be very likely but within a year or two would be a decline in our economy a loss of jobs and investment people's standard of living and incomes falling they have a very different view of the European Union than us they are a Euro-critical party we're soft on Russia until very recently I wouldn't like to see that being our position in Brussels or in Europe we see on issues like climate for example where there are against any action that is anyway unpopular and that's the biggest crisis of our time and while they talk a lot about housing they're not particularly in favour of home ownership and we see them opposing private housing developments all over the country I think that was fact check it by the Journal in fairness but I take your point the government gets an awful lot of criticism on programs like these so that's why I'm letting you I can hear what you're saying we're in our third term in government and I'm sure there are loads of people in my party there are a number of people in my party not the majority who might take the view it's time for a break time to rebuild but you're not in fact no I'm not because the reason why I'm in politics isn't just to advance Finnegale the reason why I'm in politics is to build a better country and a better community and I think the government that we have while it's imperfect is doing well now we're making progress as a country we've found lots of other countries whether it's the pandemic, whether it's the economy whether it's living standards and I don't want to see Ireland go backwards I hate this idea that that's good people a taste of Sinn Fein and then they might appreciate us more I hate that attitude because that means people having to suffer and I don't want to see that When do you hope to hear from the DPP as it relates to the guard investigation, their consideration of it? I don't know I have no indication you'll understand for very good reasons I don't want to speculate about timelines or hypotheticals because I don't want to say anything that might be perceived as putting pressure on an independent office, I'm not going to do that but what I can say is that the allegations that were made against me are false they're politically motivated but you didn't do the right thing in making that document available did you? Well the allegation is that I committed some sort of crime but I didn't ask that question but do you think it was befitting of your position to do what you did? I acknowledged that I didn't do the right thing in that regard I did it for a good reason the government had made a commitment that we would consult both of the DPP bodies that commitment hadn't been honoured I took it into my own hands to honour that commitment you're often told in politics intervene personally, pick up the phone sort this out minister that's what I did but you said the allegations I wouldn't do it again but I did it for good reasons and I did it in the public interest but you're saying the allegations are politically motivated presuming not suggesting that the Guardian were influenced politically to carry out their conductor investigation no thank you very much for your time this morning also an important meeting in Milford you're meeting with Declan Meen as well to meet the Ukrainian community there sorry I meant to mention that earlier I want to express my appreciation and recognition of communities across Donegal who have welcomed Ukrainians into their communities and you know we're all watching on television the horrors that people are experiencing in that country and you know I just really want to just express my thanks to anyone who's been involved in the efforts not just in Milford, anywhere in Donegal where people have been welcomed into communities because you know they need it you might ask Declan Meen to join your party he's got pretty class aspirations I don't know I don't know Declan but I hope they will after today we'll see after your conversation I asked him this last Friday he says no he's not interested but anyway listen thanks very much for your time this morning I appreciate it greatly The Euro Millions Jackbutt is an estimated 195 million euro clear responsibly in-app or at Lottery.ie The National Lottery it could be you they say you should have your second baby first because with your second baby you'll have learned what to do what not to do, what's best for baby and best for you like the loopy-loo range from Lidl everything your baby needs including award-winning nappies from only 99 cent when you know what to do loopy-loo available exclusively at Lidl more for you see our full range at Lidl.ie forward slash loopy-loo God he was beautiful big brown war 3A's and I'm like an Aberdeen Angus bull see three Hail Marys at Ungranon Theatre for one night only Friday May 13th see Ungranon.com The fishermen working the seas off Ireland bring us a real bounty every day like Irish crab meat low in fat and brim full of protein, omega-3 and essential vitamins and minerals for lunch or dinner Irish crab meat is a delicious shellfish you can buy cooked and ready to go in your supermarket or fishmongers for great recipes online like crab pasta with cherry tomatoes and basil visit www.boardbeard.ie forward slash crab and make everyday meals amazing. 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