 Well, we heard three. Anyway, what age did you say it was? Ninety. Happy birthday to you, Michael Cain. That's good to hear he's alive. Don't forget the sir. He said sir, isn't he? I'm not sure. He's called Michael. OK. Thanks very much, Lee. See you tomorrow morning, bright and early. It's the Ninetal Noon Show. Let's get a news update now, and it's over to Donald Kavanaugh. Thank you, Greg. Well, Joe Biden says he intends to visit Ireland early next month. He was officially invited to Northern Ireland by Rishi Sunak last night at a event in San Diego. Physically, a rantler is expected to renew an invitation to the Republic when he attends the St Patrick's Day reception at the White House later this week. Dates haven't yet been revealed. It's understood the visit will come shortly after the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Good Friday Agreement. That comes on April 12th. Well, political correspondent Sean Defosas, Joe Biden is likely to schedule a number of stops on his visit here. U.S. President Joe Biden confirming he is going to come to Ireland and Northern Ireland next month to mark the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, something that's going to act as a bit of a boost for the trip of Leo Voratke to Washington, D.C. this week ahead of the St Patrick's Day celebrations. He's due to meet President Joe Biden at the White House on Friday and also other congressional representatives. President Biden has been invited several times by the Irish government to visit and to go back to his roots in May, or if you like. It's expected he will do that as one of a number of stops when he visits next month. An average of 16 learner drivers a day get penalty points for not being accompanied by a qualified motorist. Last year's total was 5,925. That was up 185 from the previous year. Brian Farrell of the Road Safety Authority says learners take a big risk if they drive unaccompanied. They risk getting two points on an 80 euro fine. They also risk having the car seized. And if they are operating that vehicle, if they're using their driving that vehicle, their permission, the owner of that car faces prosecution. So there are serious consequences for driving unaccompanied. And nothing is off the table regarding industrial action according to the Association of Gardner Surgeons and Inspectors. Over 250 of its members protested in Dublin yesterday over the Gardner Commissioner's refusal to let them return to their more regular pre-pandemic hours. As promised, the AGSI also claims Drew Harris is refusing to engage with the proper protocol for internal disputes and wants to go straight to the Workplace Relations Commission. Instead, Antoinette Cunningham, the AGSI's General Secretary, has defended their decision to demonstrate. It's completely necessary because we've attempted at least three to four times to speak with the Gardner Commissioner on behalf of our membership. He continues to reject that there's a problem. He continues to reject there's an issue with morale and he has not in any way addressed the health and safety concerns that we have for our members. We'll go to the in Donegal warning of some icy roads and slippery footpaths this morning as the Arctic Blast continues to make its present felt. Madeira and tell us it'll be icy in parts this morning, cold and rather breezy with some sunny spells and showers as the day goes on. The showers will be most frequent this morning and early afternoon. Many of the showers wintry a chance of hail and thunder, some sleet and snow across Donegal this morning already. Highest temperatures today, just four to seven degrees Celsius with an added wind chill because of a moderate to fresh and gusty northwesterly wind. And that's Island Radio News back with more at 10 o'clock. What does Ireland sound like? Is it the mournful cry of the illen pipes floating over a lonely mountain pass or waves lapping on a wild western shore? Is it the gentle sound of rain on a soft spring day or welcoming voices in a cozy local pub? This is what Ireland sounds like. KFC's original recipe, chicken fillet roll. This St. Patrick's Day, it's got to be KFC. The county's number one talk show, the Ninetal Noon Show on Highland Radio. And now it's time for the talk of the Northwest, the Ninetal Noon Show with Greg Hughes on Highland Radio. Hello, good morning to you. Four minutes past nine Tuesday, the 14th of March. How are you keeping it? I do hope you're very well indeed and it's great to have you along for another edition of the Ninetal Noon Show and listening to Donald referencing the weather there. And who would be a weather forecaster for Donagall? Sitting looking at the window here at the mountain top. Seems like a beautiful morning driving up this morning, barn of small gaps, snow everywhere, over drum keen. It is the same. It just goes to show these micro climates or whatever you might call it. But anyway, be prepared if you're out and about. You might hit some bad weather if you're driving this morning. Keep us informed as well too, by the way. The lines are open for all of your calls. 086, 60, 25,000, 086, 60, 25,000. That's for your WhatsApps and texts. Now, if you want to call Caroline and Anja taking your calls this morning, that's 07491 25,000. We welcome your emails to comments at highlandradio.com and why not join us by watching the show on YouTube, Highland Radio Ireland, across our Facebook pages and on our website and engage with us there. Okay, let's start with a look at this morning's newspapers and not talking about the locals here but the nationals. It was thin pickings this morning. I'm not going to lie to you. So this might be a brief little interlude for you. But some good news, I think, out of the the Donegal Democrat this morning. Aldi Ireland has announced that it paid 4.5 million in wages and salaries last year while welcoming a million customer visits to its Donegal stores. That's really significant. One employer, 4.5 million in wages and salaries and 2 million customers through the doors of its Donegal stores. Obviously, not separate people. People making return journeys. In 2022, Aldi sourced 12 million of locally produced food and drink from Donegal-based suppliers. Aldi partners with seven Donegal producers including long-term relationships with Donegal Rape Seed Company and P. More Ryan and Sons. Okay, so I thought I'd kick off with a bit of good news there. On to the Dairy Journal now and it has been proposed that a development plan to be put in place for Council Lands of Barrack Hill and Cardona in a move that could be vitally important for the town. In a shown-based Donegal County Councillor Martin McDermott has proposed that Donegal County Council designate areas of the substantial area of land around 30 acres for housing, business and recreation, etc. So that development can take place. He said it's all council-owned land but there's been no plan done for its development. On to the Nationals now and one of the worst kept secrets of late has been Joe Biden visiting Ireland. And the White House is to announce a five-day visit to Ireland next month by U.S. President Joe Biden. He'll spend time in Belfast and Dublin but the majority of his time will be spent in Mayo where his ancestral roots lie. Confirmation will come on St. Patrick's Day when T. Shockley of Radcar visits Washington for the traditional Oval Office meeting and nothing will coming away in the way of that meeting. Meeho Martin is predecessor of course. Barriers will put up in front of him every time he wanted to do that whole St. Patrick's Day routine between COVID and one thing and another and him having COVID. Well, Mr. Biden will fly into Belfast around April 10th to mark the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement before then travelling to Dublin. It's thought he'll make at least one major public address in the manner of predecessors Bill Clinton and Barack Obama but there will be up to three days spent in Mayo according to U.S. sources who've said an announcement is imminent. So he's not coming to coincide with the anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement. He will travel a little thereafter. Are you delighted? Are you welcoming it? Would you travel to go and see him and stand waving a flag? Let us know. 08 660 25000. Is it as big a deal as it might have been in the past? I wonder. It's a question, not a statement. The Irish Times this morning the government is giving renewed consideration to the introduction of pre-budget tax breaks for the rental sector just a week after deciding against them. Now these breaks should have been and we mentioned this in our Friday panel if you were going to make such a big decision as ending the eviction ban. Logically, if you want to try and sort of manage the narrative as it's often referred to now you'd have made these announcements at the same time to take the edge of it. Would you not? But anyway, the forthcoming in an announcement if it's made comes amid ongoing criticism over its decision to end the eviction ban with some in government now of the view that tax breaks for landlords and tenants should be brought in early to reverse the political momentum and keep renters in their homes while cautioning that the most likely outcome was still to wait for the budget. Senior sources acknowledged earlier interventions were now being given for consideration Minister for Finance Michael McGraw and Minister for Public Expenditure Pascal Donahoe held the line at a key cabinet meeting last week when faced with arguments from some colleagues that more could have been done on the tax side and are likely to resist any moves to revisit the decision. Doubling down but it might be a direction of traffic they find difficult to resist. More than 1200 people under the age of 65 are living in nursing homes and can't leave with advocacy groups saying they're being held in custody due to the housing crisis. This is the Irish daily mail. Many young people were placed in nursing homes following sudden ill health and believed their placement would be temporary. Sage Advocacy Chief Mervyn Taylor said not enough effort is being made to resolve the situation. It seems he says to be the default form of thinking that a nursing home is the best place for people because other options are not being explored. What about people who don't want to be in a nursing home? He asks anyone listening affected by this story that could give us an insight into it. Are you a loved one? Do you feel you're trapped or held in custody subscribed in the paper in a nursing home? Effectively, these people he goes on to say, by the way, are detained for some it's care but for others it's custody. These figures come almost two years after damning findings by the ombudsman and I recall us covering that story at that time too. Right, let's see. President Michael D. Higgins has stirred something amongst the public out there because children and parents pleaded with Education Minister Norma Foley to step in and introduce a homework ban after it was suggested by the President Michael D. Higgins. In letters to the Minister children wrote about how they were being forced to give up hobbies because they were giving so much work to do after school. In one note, a pupil wrote about how seven hours of school each day was plenty of education and that more work on top of that was unnecessary. So this is a young person by the way as I said before on this show we should probably listen to young people more at least consult with them. This person wrote to the Education Minister saying this is from a pupil. Seven hours of school each day was plenty of education and that more work on top was unnecessary. The child said I do not ask for homework to be completely banned but for it to be reduced to a certain limit. Otherwise if there is a constant buildup of homework daily it can cause stress and even a lack of exercise which will affect a person's well being. Okay, so let's say hopefully they're at least considered if not listened to. Good potentially good news in advance for those who suffer or have Tourette syndrome a smart watch like device tested by the singer Lewis Capaldi has been found to reduce tics in people with Tourette syndrome and we were down at his concert recently and because he was tired because it was a long show his tics worsened as the show went on I say worse and I I didn't find it in any way it's just a part of who he is but he's at great pains to point out to his fans who can be concerned at times particularly younger ones that might not understand Tourette syndrome that it doesn't bother him as such that it's just part of him but that being said he did enter into this trial it's like a wristwatch people put on he's only 26 he took part in a scientific trial after traveling or sorry revealing in September that he has the disorder the device stimulates the median nerve which controls motor functions in the forearm wrist and hand participants which is worn on the wrist for 15 minutes at a similar time each day for a month and gave feedback the trial of 121 people found that on average they experienced a 25% reduction in the frequency of tics Lewis whose mega hits include someone who you loved and forget me was said to have been impressed by the trial run by the University of Nottingham so any time there seems to be a significant medical advance it seems for me anyway sorry doesn't seem it is good news now the Irish perception of perception of us internationally is it offensive do you find it offensive that we are still portrayed as fighting drunks like is it something that we should harden up and just accept that these are just jokes and what have you or is it something we should say you know enough is enough it's 2023 there's much more to us than being drunk and fighting well in the Irish Daily Star today the Banshee Vinna Sheer and left empty-handed but the Irish was still the talk of the Oscars after picking up two gongs and becoming the butt of host Jimmy Kimmel's one-liners Colin Farrell even called out Kinnell in US show Saturday Night Life to get about him and his co-star Brendan Gleason in an awkward encounter with the host the actor was full of smiles as he arrived but anyway in his monologue included his monologue this is Kimmel's monologue including lines like five Irish actors nominate tonight which means the chances of a fight just went way up and it was some year for diversity and inclusion will we have normalized sorry we have nominees from every corner of Dublin so let me reread that again one of his lines was it was some year for diversity and inclusion we have nominees from every corner of Dublin I'm not sure that one's quite offensive as offensive this is the skit on Saturday Night Live by the way that was broadcast it's probably the most popular comedy show is it in America this is the comedians take on the Irish but hold that thought because I'm told we have the stars of the banshees of Inna Sharon Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson this is tonight ah you know that's the words and you know like take words of troops for her and your bae hey me Gleingren Gleing Pew a tarry swill toonie trees in it yeah it was like they say you know our times to go like forgiving like it's been for long on take it me whole team at c a a a wow and they haven't even started drinking yet alright so that's the Saturday night live take on the Irish and our reputation now do you think that's funny or do you think it's time maybe they tried to come up with something else now that being said do we perpetrate this ourselves because you know what's going to happen don't you we are welcoming the president of the United States Joe Biden to of course so what's the first thing that's going to happen where's he going to be brought first probably well not the first thing but you get me it's going to be to the Guinness storehouse because that's what we do well we bring them into a pub and get them to pull a pint so maybe we are our own worst enemies in it maybe it's not a bad thing but what do you think does it annoy you when we are portrayed as we are 08 6 60 25 thousand it's a WhatsApp and text number or give us a call an 07 4 9 1 25 thousand at St. Mary's G.E.A. convoy and now they are running their development draw at the moment and they've got really ambitious plans plans which are already underway to re jig and rejuvenate and modernize their beautiful campus there in convoy and they are running this fund razor in which they are given away 50,000 euro on St. Patrick's day you can buy your tickets now they're not inexpensive you know it's a consider to purchase it's 50 euro but look at the rewards 50,000 we are giving you the chance to win two tickets today on the show we've another quiz running for you in that regard it is there isn't it where is it it is okay now all you have to do is listen to this it's free to enter just WhatsApp protects the regular numbers you'll hear how we'll be back after the information as it relates to how you can win tickets to the St. Mary's G.E.A. convoy development draw and a quick break on this week's show with thanks to our sponsors St. Mary's G.E.A. convoy development draw we're giving you the chance to win two tickets to their 50K for 50 euro draw to be in with a chance of winning these tickets all you have to do is answer the following question in the famous all Ireland song from 2012 Jimmy's winning what is it A matches or B footballs text or WhatsApp your answer name and address 2086 60 25,000 the newspapers are courtesy of Kelly Centra Mountaintop Letter Kenny the C store National Large Forecourt of the Year for 2022 this week's 9 till noon show was brought to you by St. Mary's G.A. convoy club development draw win 50,000 for 50 euro draw takes place 17th of March get your ticket now at st. 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New kitchen bathroom or bedroom for whatever you're planning B&S Credit Union's Renovate Loan is ready to go loans from 5000 to 70 thousand euro visit our website at bnscu.ie or free phone 1800 290 390 where our dedicated and experienced loans team will be delighted to help you loans are subject to approval terms and conditions apply B&S Credit Union Limited is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. Now the tourism industry both in the south and in the north are expressing concern after Britain announced the rollout of a new electronic travel authorization ETA it's a scheme for foreign visitors people who live in Ireland legally will be exempt from the requirement we're told but there is concern about the impact the measure will have on cross border tourism so you can imagine a situation where we have a German tourist I presume this could be the case or an American tourist who's in Lifford sorry to use the obvious examples and they decide they want to nip into Straban now there's not going to be anyone checking on the border that they have this ETA but let's just say there was a bumper to bumper something happened like that there police arrive and they could be found to be in Britain in Northern Ireland the UK is it's described illegally I don't know what the situation might be if someone wishes to travel from a boss to Dublin to letter Kenny and travel through the north they're already boarding bosses to check in terms of illegal movement will they be checking this now anyway we'll teach that with our next guess it's just this could create a perception that makes it complicated or worrisome to travel into Northern Ireland because people already have maybe pre conceived notions that it's dangerous or something and now you have this notion too that you'd land in Dublin and you'd need a special pass to get into the six counties I think it's going to be it's going to be disruptive but it doesn't matter what I think it matters Dr. Joan Stuart CEO of the Northern Ireland Tourism Alliance things because as I say Joanne well we'll get to what's proposed in your view and then we'll tease out the potential implications thanks so much for joining us Joanne how concerned is your alliance morning Greg yes we are extremely concerned overseas tourism is really important for us and it represents 25 percent of our total tourism revenue now our issue is as you know as part of the Good Friday agreement and tourism and overseas tourism for Northern Ireland was changed to be marked as part of the island of Ireland destination so we are different from the rest of the UK and and basically as a result of that over 70 percent of our overseas tourists come via the Republic of Ireland and travel across the land border into Northern Ireland and they're coming for a trip to the island of Ireland so they visit North and South and are expecting seamless travel across the island because that's how we've we've been developed so as you set out in the introduction what we're now saying is that if you want to come into Northern Ireland over the land border you are moving into the UK and we'll need this electronic travel authorization or ETA and if you don't have that you are illegally in Northern Ireland and if you're stopped for whatever reason then you could be fined you could end up in prison you know that that's the extremity and Joanne and you know I saw a lot of people commenting in this and saying how much should no one care is it's not going to be as but if you're doing your research and you're traveling from a foreign country right and this is flagged it it is it is a it is a thing you know people don't want to willingly or knowingly break the law if I was lucky enough to go to Portugal in a particular area I read in advance that I needed a cert to get into I'm not just going to go ah sure what odds because I would be fearful that I could be pulled you know someone could pull me up on it I think that's the majority that there's some people on social media that are far braver than I but I just have a feeling that this will worry some people will like get it in advance it's got to have some sort of an effect because we don't really know how it might be implemented or or where people would be told they might require this this for example how we would message a tour yes and that's that's part of the of the real challenge so that you know they keep the home office would say this is very much similar to an ESTA if you're going to the States now the difference is that when you're going to to the States when you book your ticket you are told by the airline you need an ESTA you can't actually book your ticket until you have an ESTA number so it's made very clear to you that that you need that and it will be checked when you arrive in the States so for the 70% of tourists who come via the Republic of Ireland they're not going to be told they need an ETA to go into the UK because they're going to Ireland and and therefore and maybe as part of their trip they are going to go to Northern Ireland but if they're not even aware that it's a different jurisdiction I mean we're not we're promoted as the island of Ireland so there's an expectation they will be able to travel around so I think the fear is that how do you get that message so they they really understand and also they're going to come to Ireland make spontaneous trips to to Northern Ireland they may decide I'll come here I'll go up for two days now what we're being told in the rules that we because we don't know everything but what we know at the moment is it can take up to three working days to process an application so on a Thursday you decide I'm going to I'm going to go up for a weekend you know you're you're not going to bother if you think you're a person in your in your group so if you're a family of five you have to do five applications you have to pay five fees and you have to wait for five approvals to actually come in and I've bumped I've bumped into tourists in the pub in Donegal in the summer and you chat and what are you doing tomorrow I don't know well we think we might head up to Belfast they think they might do you know now obviously the way news is is it says it puts 25% of all tourists spend an estimated 250 million euro in Northern Ireland at risk of course that's the headline worse it's not going to be there but if it's 5 million or 7 million or 80 million or 25 million you know even if an awful lot of what you would see as being necessary were introduced it is still going to put some people off maybe the nervous travel well what's wrong with the six counties why would I do this all together is what we really need to do isn't it yes and we've been working on this for the last 10 months because it was part of a much bigger bill the national decent borders bill and I'm very intensely engaging over the last six months with the home office to make the case for this we're very disappointed that we didn't get it obviously we welcome the fact that it was great because that impacts on our tourism as well what is the definition of that Joanne do you know now I know that's probably it's outside the tourism industry but what is the definition of a legal resident so you have got permission to live legally simple as that yes and what they'll be looking at is again because I mean I think the confusion is at the home office I've been very categorical there are not immigration checks on the land border so it is very much you know if somebody has stopped for some reason there's real concern about racial profiling so if it's intelligence led immigration checks what does that mean and and also if you say if you have an accident your insurance is invalidated never mind the whole legal implications but the spontaneity of it too I mean we don't have a what is the tourism income from spontaneity from spontaneous I mean the I mean the number of day trips you know that we would have it's something actually we don't measure however sort of based on sort of best estimations you know it's it's up to about 500 million pounds worth to us in revenue terms so if you're removing that you know it's just you know and obviously tourism supports so many other sectors so you know we see your your response about your retail and transport you know and it's it's regional so it provides jobs across all different communities and across the island of Ireland I think there's real concern about reputational damage and and I know the Irish government are concerned about the impact on the island of Ireland and tourism you know Belfast has some really great product that attracts people and if suddenly you're putting a barrier into the ease of being able to access that maybe think people will think differently about Ireland and go somewhere else I mean Joe Biden's coming later this year you know if this were in place by then we could have a situation whereby he's having to get and he might get a pass but you know what I'm saying he would have to get an electronic travel authorization and he and all his staff to pass from Belfast to Dublin to Newcastle and head over to Derry well do you have your ETA now we know no one's enforcing it don't get me wrong but it's still there to the back of your head so you say foreign registered vehicle if you appear to look different it could affect cross-border workers okay thanks Dramp stay with us because Deputy Park McLaughlin is with us as well of course he raised this issue last year and I think we can talk to him first of all Greg there might be a bit of noise in the background that's just work taking place in the house so apologies to your listeners if there's any noise in the background the Joann has laid out the situation really really well there you know one of the things whenever Brexit was was unfolding was we all worked together cross-party cross-political on the island to protect the island economy and as Joann said the island travels through Dublin airport that's the route they use you want seamless travel on the island so I would have raised this late last year and the concerns were being raised with me at that stage were cross-border workers and as Joann says they seem to have listened to that issue of people who are residents in the Republic of Ireland in the like Sydney British government in the response they gave me are seriously concerned about this or engaging with the British government on a cross-party basis politicians in the north of Ireland have raised this so on the island of Ireland of all political parties civic society has raised serious concerns of the British government I'm also mindful Greg that obviously you have the Windsor framework now you have this new negotiation between the British government I would imagine that you know in the spirit of that framework and that agreement they really need to listen to our concerns and make sure that anybody who's visiting you know through Dublin airport can seamlessly travel into the north of Ireland we really can't have that if someone from Germany currently would they need an ETA to go to London yes at the moment do they yeah oh no at the moment sorry no at the moment they just need a passport and that gets post this being introduced Joanne if a visitor from France wants to jump on the channel tunnel to go into to London would they require this document okay so this is Britain and Northern Ireland why this is the UK taking back control of their borders as they say now the difference is Greg is that in that case they are going into what you call a direct port of entry yes so they are arriving directly into the UK they're going through immigration control they will have been told before they travel that they need an ETA and in fact may not have been able to travel if they didn't have one yeah this is different and what we're saying is that people arrive in the Republic of Ireland and are driving or getting a train or getting a coach none of whom have any obligation to check or to make sure that they have an ETA and we're not arguing against people coming direct into Belfast somebody's flying direct from France to Belfast we are not arguing that point because they will have been told they need an ETA they're arriving in an airport where there's immigration checks so we understand that policy side and we get back but this is this is an invisible virtual border that people don't even know they're crossing and it's that legal jeopardy because people may not know about it may not when you talk to some of the coach operators people don't realise they're in a different country or they're in a different direction and also too you see we talk about casual day trippers and all that kind of stuff but let's just say group of tourists are in Sligo when they contact or Donny Goltan or whatever and they contact a local boss company and say we want to go into dairy can you drive us in I presume the boss operator wouldn't want to be complicit in illegally moving these people do you know what I mean so in terms of organised trips I presume that boss driver or operator will say well do you have your ETAs and they go well what's our go ahead Joanne yeah yeah yes and that's part of the problem because the home office would say there's no legal obligation on the tour operators to do that right they don't need to to check or anything but because we are professionals and we don't want to put anybody in there and obviously they would be staying you know have you got an ETA and if half of that group actually know I don't and it could take three working days to get that ETA well the spontaneity of that right trip and the ability for them to do it has gone but Patrick how do we how do we how do we then go about resolving this because I presume there are people in Northern Ireland who don't think this is a good idea but at the same time would like Northern Ireland to be treated the same as the rest of of the UK you know what I mean so they might have some sort of soft resistance to this being dropped I mean do you believe this can be resolved Patrick and if so how can it be and ensure that Northern Ireland is treated the same as Scotland, Wales and England? Yeah I do think it can be resolved with the same well resolved that was shown with the Windsor framework and you know right now the spirit is that you have a British Government who is working with the European Commission to try and resolve issues there is no political support for this approach that I'm aware of Ireland of Ireland and it's a particularly issue obviously Greg and Donegal because we market Donegal, Derry, Tarone together as one region to visit so it's a particular issue for us to be concerned about and I mean you know if there's a will to resolve it so my responsibility now is to re-engage with the Irish Government who in turn will engage with the British Government and again I just think I think with the the desire to get the Stormont institutions up and on again the desire to I suppose encourage unionism to come back into Stormont you would imagine in that environment we should be able to resolve this issue and I think with people like Joanne standing up and pointing out the practical serious practical problems you know I'm hopeful I'm hopeful that we can resolve it in this current political environment Joanne just go ahead please so I'm just saying we have obviously been engaging an awful lot with and they have been very supportive of our case and even you know and are continuing to do so even though we've resolved the issue of the of the legal residents we have complete cross-party support from the Northern Ireland political parties which we don't always have so this is one point where the DUP and the you know the Unionist parties support this and really understand the importance because this is about our economy this is about the reputation of Northern Ireland as a place and so we do have all of that support I just think we still have to really make the UK government understand the day to day impact on this and how actually it's only 1% of the total visitors that come to the UK so we're not undermining any any policy you know issue for them and the fact that they're not going to check then you have to ask well then why do you do you need to get one of those when you're not going to to check Timeline's Joanne just this is not something for this summer okay so just for people listening and listen I think with the types of conversations like these happening broadly speaking I think this is something that can be averted but we're talking elements of this this year some towards the end of the next year is that the yes so they are the first pilot that that is starting the end of this year then they're rolling it out to the rest of the Gulf States and we're expecting the USA Europe you know those bigger markets towards the end of 2024 we are really making a plea that it is the end of next year and not May before you know your high season but obviously we are there's still an opportunity to get this change we are working with the Irish Government to see if we can get this amended so yeah the game is not finished yet exactly and we are continuing to make the case and I really appreciate the support of Podrick and the Irish Government yeah well done Dr Joanne Stuart C of the Northern Island Tourism Alliance and doing your bit to speak about this in advance be proactive we really appreciate it thanks very much indeed you mentioned you mentioned Podrick the possibility of getting a government back in situ in the north it's not going to happen before Joe Biden's visit next month I'd take it there's no chance of that it doesn't look like Greg you know obviously unionism political unionism has a lot of soul searching to do but one thing that Rishi Sunak the British Prime Minister was right about this is a unique opportunity now for the north of Ireland having voted against Brexit voted to stay in the European Union and being forced into that scenario there's a unique opportunity now with with access to the British economy and the European single market so that was true and what he said and it's good for Donny Gall it's good for Derry it's good for Turone if we can stabilise but the most important thing Greg is and I've said this to you before it is just a disaster not to have a proper government up and running in Stormont do you believe that if as many of the DOP's demands are met as is possible do you believe they can find it within themselves to play second fiddle to Sinn Fein or will there always be something do you believe if they can be satisfied as to their concerns that it is that's what it's about in other words they can go into government with Deputy First Minister Yeah I mean as you know Greg the reality of first and Deputy First Minister is it's actually joint First Minister you know yourself though it's the perception No I agree Greg you know and you know there's definitely a view a widespread view in nationalism that's political unionism you know do not want to serve under a Sinn Fein First Minister even though it is a joint First Minister and that's going to be tested now I mean the British Government and the European Commission have had a real go here trying to make the protocol now the Windsor framework this whole issue of trade in the Irish Sea as manageable as possible there's no excuses left now none left it's time to get back to work and you know as I say again it's like I obviously Derry I'm from Bunkrana it's 30 minutes in Derry City I'm in Derry I'm engaging with people into our own all the time and I just feel so sorry for them that they do not have a government to engage with to hold to account it's just you know it's acceptable and unsustainable and it needs to be resolved alright thanks for your time we appreciate it and they must be using cloth hammers in the house because we couldn't hear a thing alright they're tearing up floorboards alright okay alright take care no bother we couldn't hear it alright take care Deputy Parliament Glockland there of the Sinn Fein party of course and we also heard from Dr Joanne Stewart CEO of the Northern Ireland Tourism Alliance Alliance so I was going to say but it is Alliance of course 086625,000 WhatsApps and texts on that issue or anything else you want to talk about this morning watch the show live now on YouTube, Facebook and at HighlandRadio.com surgical lift for the skin improving facial contours lifting and tightening jewels the neck, cheeks and eyebrows are available at Genesis Aesthetics and Skin Care Clinic adore for help choosing the right aesthetic treatment for you contact Mary Ferry your aesthetic practitioner also offering fat dissolving treatments dermal fillers and laser treatments for all skin conditions hair and makeup packages also available Genesis Aesthetics and Skin Care Clinic adore 07495 32575 get the eyes we are today for your free 16 page Cheltenham pull out our man Brian Flanagan gives you the inside scoop from the track we have Davey Russell and Andy Maxx exclusive views plus all the top tipsters ready to get you first pass the post all week the Irish Daily Star 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all over Ireland Highland radio weather updates with Ireland West airport discover Edinburgh this summer with Ryanair's 3 times weekly service stunning architecture endless winding streets and an awe inspiring castle Ireland West airport don't just take off take it easy OK cold and rather breezy with sunny spells and showers the showers will be most frequent in the morning 4 to 7 degrees very pleased to welcome on to the show now Larry Donnelly University of Galway Law Lecturer and political columnist with the journal good morning to you Larry thanks for joining us good morning Greg great to be with you it's great to have you with us right OK it's been all but confirmed that President Joe Biden will visit Northern Ireland to mark the upcoming anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement which the US of course helped to broker 25 years ago and he'll also have his ancestral where his ancestors are from that is in the male area how significant is this Larry it doesn't feel as significant as you know a Biden visit or a Bill Clinton visit I don't know are we just becoming immune to this stuff or maybe I'm just missing the the buzz well maybe maybe it's maybe it's a good thing that we're becoming immune to it because it's so common place for American presidents to visit Ireland and I think and a reaffirmation of an extraordinary transatlantic partnership I think in the case of Joe Biden again who is you know given his roots not just in Ballinare but also in Laos is by some measurements the most Irish president that we've had and I think his commitment to Ireland I think his commitment to the Good Friday Agreement his commitment to a smooth I suppose passageway out of Brexit as best we can I think to be welcomed and the fact that he's so interested in coming here I think is something that is a really wonderful event now what day he's going to be here the details of the trip it depends on which newspaper you read this morning but all in all it's a great it's great news the stronger the relationship is between the US and Ireland the better for the Irish there's no doubt about that is there no absolutely not and I should also say it's a two way street Greg there's an awful many thousands of people in the United States so this is very much a two way relationship and also there are long term issues here I think having a president who professes to be as Irish as Joe Biden does is a good thing in an era when some of the ties at least the ties that was cemented by immigration from Ireland to the United States are beginning to wane so those of us who are committed to the relationship need to look at every angle we can to maintain what is the envy of the rest of the world to be frank and having a president visit here is great as is the fact that this week so many Irish politicians will be strolling the cards and power not just in Washington DC but throughout the United States and now already I imagine the Secret Service have been in in Ireland doing their due diligence it's a massive operation any time a US president visits overseas absolutely yeah I mean it's and one of the things and this is why some of the media reports are conflicting and details are emerging and a lot of it to be honest is conjecture the Secret Service isn't very fond of letting the world know exactly what the president of the United States the clue is in their name they don't like letting a new word of his travel plans go too broadly so I think a lot of what you see is conjecture I'm almost at the stage where I believe it when I see it what his agenda is going to be so yes it's a massive operation but I think what we can I think pretty much guaranteed is that he'll be in Dublin he'll be in Belfast he'll be in Mail and he'll be in Loud and I think he's going to give at least one public address probably in Dublin in the mode of what Barack Obama did and also I think he's going to say something now what he's going to say in Belfast I'm not so sure but this is going to be the tricky part issues here there are some in the Unionist community who believe that Joe Biden is too close too much of an Irish Republican an Irish nationalist he needs to walk a very careful tightrope because again one of the things that I'm concerned about is that it's in the interest of everybody on these two islands and in particular the people of Northern Ireland that storm and get back up and running and it will be very carefully chosen his words and his speech will be he's got a team obviously it'll have his fingerprints on it but also they will be checking in advance as to what would be well received and what might not be well received and where they feel they can push it a little bit and areas in which they can't like this is heavily staged managed even down to the words that will come out of his mouth in the next month it certainly is and look I say this as somebody who has a lot of respect for the president who's a fan of the president who thinks he's done very well despite his Detroiters detractors say the fact is that he does have an unfortunate penchant for sometimes saying things that he shouldn't say off the cuff and those sorts of things so he needs to be careful that something like that isn't said no I'm confident it won't happen but again that's the kind of thing we don't want to see we don't want any of this anything about this visit to detract or distract or delay the important process of getting business going again in storm and so again I don't think it'll happen but look we'd be blind to reality if we didn't recognize that Biden hasn't in the past said things for instance about the BBC also said things like I may be Irish but I'm not stupid so he just needs to be careful about that stuff and I think Rishi Sunak is the type of UK Prime Minister that will want to make some capital out of this as well particularly post-Brexit and as they try and forge relationships around the world and of course too in the context of what's happening in Eastern Europe absolutely that's true but Rishi Sunak is also cognizant of something else and that is that Joe Biden and his extraordinary commitment to Ireland as well as the United States Congress again showing that Irish America's political cloud is still alive and well is effectively that unless things go well to put it in simple terms flowing from Brexit that the UK is not going to get a good trade deal from the United States Rishi Sunak recognizes the importance of that and will be very keen to ensure smooth sailing despite again the reservations and concerns and the difficulties that some in the Unionist community might present Quick question if you don't mind I'm just curious for your insight into what's happening on Fox News and Tucker Carlson in particular sort of rewriting the history as it relates to the capital protests stroke riots and documents being released suggesting certain attitudes amongst presenters with the maybe what they were were presenting what's happening in your view in America in the media at the moment in that regard Larry It's a really good question I do have a couple of hours the you know what's happened is that a lot of behind the scenes the Fox News presenters understand what their audience wants and when you have the commodification of news and the tailoring of news this is unfortunately the logical consequence of it the Fox News presenters despite what they knew to be objective reality they also knew that a lot of their viewers didn't want to accept the fact that Donald Trump had lost the election didn't want to accept the fact that January 6th was as bad as it truly was and wanted to deliver what the people wanted because at the end of the day boils down to ratings boils down to advertising revenue so this is the end game of a very sad chapter and you know Fox News is the obvious example of that on the American political right but if you look at MSNBC on the American political left you could watch the coverage on those two stations on the exact same event and think you were watching something totally different it's got to the point whereby some of these news shows now would really need to be flagged as you know for entertainment purposes you know the big long it would never happen but I mean the media over there is in the space from the outside looking in whereby it is for entertainment because what is real now is being portrayed or spawned to suit a particular political stance of networks and that is not news Larry and it's doing news a great disservice I think it certainly is absolutely Greg and one of the most chilling things to emerge from Tucker Carlson and what we're hearing and also is not just that these presenters are committed ideologues in one way I could say okay he's a committed right wing person this is what he believes et cetera is the fact that they don't even many cases they don't even believe what they're saying they are only saying it because they know that that's what the audience wants to hear and when a news a reportedly news outlet goes down that avenue it's very very dangerous for the polity and very hard to come back from it really is there are a lot of polarized sections of society and networks that play to either side of those at what point do you return to sort of pre-days of that I wouldn't like to unravel that and unfortunately we're seeing quite a bit of that outside in this country for example as well Larry always a pleasure to get your insights really do appreciate your time thank you so very much indeed Larry Donnelly of the University of Galway his law lecturer there the journal all right I want to give you another reminder of our competition thanks to our friends at St. Mary's GEA convoy they have a fantastic competition 50,000 euros going to be won on St. Patrick's Day you can go on to their social St. Mary's GEA convoy development draw find out more information about it but here's how you can win two free tickets today where are we on this week's show with thanks to our sponsor St. Mary's GEA convoy development draw we're giving you the chance to win two tickets to their 50k for 50 euro draw to be in with a chance of winning these tickets all you have to do is answer the following question in the famous all Ireland songs from 2012 Jimmy's winning what is it A. matches or B. footballs text or WhatsApp your answer name and address 2086 60 25,000 Irish music month finalist one okay we're going to be announcing the winner of this competition tomorrow we've got Oshie knee taking part of course and music month finalist two Charles James and the Rise another cracking song one of these is going to be going on to represent the north west in a big competition later this year midnight preachers three out of three not bad so far what do you think and finalist four 4 am 5 we had them all live you've been voting over the weekend your votes are in and they have been counted our judges our external panel of judges are currently at the moment going through all of the live performances and they are going to be coming up with a winner and we are going to announce the winner on this programme tomorrow so we're all very excited about that stay tuned for that I just wanted to give you a reminder the voting lines have closed by the way but they're all very familiar songs it's amazing what airplay will do isn't it Akola says what about the likes of my son who lives in America but becomes home to Donegal twice a year will he need this now to travel to Sturban and Derry is he a legal resident in Ireland? I suspect he is although he doesn't live here all the time but that being said anyone from Europe could be legally resident in Ireland couldn't they so I presume he will need this travel pass you need an ester number to enter the USA but Joanne said you need the number to book a flight and that is not correct I think what Joanne was saying is that I think it's pretty much generally accepted that if you fancy going into America you have to have the ester document and it's common knowledge people go in with their eyes wide open whereas it might not be made as clear coming here because if you're flying into Dublin if you're flying into Dublin why would they start flagging the fact that you need a pass to go into the north Right a lot of Americans still believe that Ireland in its entirety is part of the UK lots of people believe lots of things I get you when will the penny ever drop that the partition of Ireland was a very bad idea Hi Greg I think it's time to invest option on Revolute for those of us that are clueless when it comes to investing it seems to have stock commodities crypto in there everything is with risk I'm not sure if we could talk specifically about one particular outlet but look at maybe it is something that we could talk about okay we have that hour in the back it's time to take a break for the news and obituary notes stay where you are we've community guarded information coming up for you the news appeals and information from on guard exclusively here every Tuesday morning just after 10 this week's 9 till noon show was brought to you by St Mary's G.A. Convoy Club Development Draw win 50,000 for 50 euro draw takes place 17th of March get your ticket now at St Mary's G.A. draw.ie treat your mom this mother's day at done stores and half price on a great selection of chocolates like Cadbury Roses Heroes and Milk Tray plus you can save even more with our 5 of 25 grocery vouchers shrink your bill with double savers new from done stores always better value terms and conditions apply voucher confused on next store grocery shop with 25 euro or more voucher excludes alcohol please ring sensibly Hi Paddy here at Shea & Conley Cars you'll find mixing models for every budget great finance options and they also accept radiance check out sheaandconleycars.com or call on to us at Shea & Conley Cars from London on her road Dunnigall town In partnership with Hot Press magazine Irish Music Month is all about recognizing the value of Irish music to everyone in this country and across the world Help us celebrate Irish Music Month as we play more Irish music than ever before promote bands and artists and provide a 100,000 euro fund for artists to perform on independent radio stations across the country this is independent Irish radio supporting Irish music this is Irish Music Month supported by Hot Press IBI and the BAI sound and vision fund live on air online and on the Highland Radio App this is Highland Radio News Good morning it's Donna Marie with the news at 10 o'clock Dunnigall's Sinn Féin TD Patrick McLaughlin says data which has just been released on the number of eviction notices served from the third quarter last year underlined the need for government to reverse its decision to end the eviction ban he was speaking after data released by the residential Tennessee's board showed that idiot eviction notices were served but those numbers would be much higher again and along with the very low social housing build figures indicates the extent of the crisis in this county as you're seeing across the country but when you throw defective blocks on top of it it's an impossible challenge for the council it's going to need a special intervention from government there's thousands of vacant homes all across Dunnigall to sell that property but I don't get a sense of emergency from the government and that's what we're facing we have a profound housing emergency in this county the UK have announced the roll out of an electronic travel authorization system for foreign visitors while people of an Irish national they have been excluded concerns remain regarding overseas tourists visiting the island as part of the Good Friday agreement tourism and overseas tourism for Northern Ireland was changed to be marketed as part of the island of Ireland destination and basically as a result of that over 70% of our overseas tourists come via the Republic of Ireland and travel across the land border into Northern Ireland and they're coming for a trip to the island of Ireland so they visit north and south across the island because that's how we've been developed children have been telling the education minister how homework is causing them stress and leaving them with little free time Norma Foley's been on the receiving end of letters from school students and their parents since the issue of a homework ban was first suggested by the president in January the Irish examiner quotes a number of children letters with kids raising concerns while one single parent outlined to the minister how two hours of written homework each night means there's no time to teach her children life skills like cooking and how to use the washing machine Joe Biden says he intends to visit Ireland early next month he was officially invited to the Northern Ireland by UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak last night and Tishak Leo Varadkar is expected to renew the invitation the United States haven't been yet revealed but it's understood the visit will come after the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Good Friday Agreement on April 10 Sean Defoe says Mr Biden is likely to schedule in a number of stops on his visit US President Joe Biden confirming he is going to come to Ireland and Northern Ireland next month to mark the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement something that's going to act and that the White House on Friday and also other congressional representatives President Biden have been invited several times by the Irish Government to visit and to go back to his roots in Mayo if you like it's expected he will do that as one of a number of stops when he visits next month moves to upgrade older houses will be voted on at the European Parliament in Strasbourg and funding for national governments Mr Kelly says the plans must take account of the various climate realities in member states the EPPD should not be a one-size-fits-all approach as buildings do not move across partners therefore it is right that member states have sufficient degrees of flexibility to ensure cost effectiveness colleagues are right that this will take massive investment and I've been encouraged to see the interest and the engagement of the financial sector that we get proper access to financial people and I think we've achieved this and now to weather cold and rather breezy with sunny spells and showers highest temperatures of just four to seven degrees with an added wind chill moderate to fresh north gusterly winds and that's all for now we'll be back again at 11 o'clock with the news headlines and until then good morning the obituary notices for this Monday morning the 14th of March the events of Patrick Paddy Hume Six Iona Park Derry funeral from his home tomorrow morning at half past nine for 10 o'clock Requiem Mass in St. Columbus Church Longtower followed by interment in the city cemetery family time please from nine o'clock tonight the mass can be viewed live via the church webcam family flowers only please donations in lieu flowers if desired to deeds trust kregen the death has taken place of Eamon McLaughlin two foster terrace Movil his remains are opposing at his home funeral mass tomorrow morning at 11 in St. Pius the 10th church Movil followed by cremation in Lakelands crematorium cavern at quarter past five Eamon's funeral mass can be viewed live on movil parish.com family time tomorrow family flowers only please donations in lieu of desired to the Donegal hospice or coronary care letter Kenney University hospital care of any family member the death has occurred of Edward Eddie Gallagher Balibon Castle Fin Requiem mass in St. Mary's Church Castle Fin this morning at 11 o'clock interment afterwards in St. Mary's cemetery the Requiem mass will be streamed live via the parish webcam donations in lieu of flowers if desired to Mary's meals care of any family member family time please from 11 o'clock tonight and before the funeral mass will be viewed live live live live live live live live live live live live live live live live live live live live live live live live live live live live live live live live live live live live live live late residents with wake until 10 o'clock nightly. Eric's funeral will take place in St. Carthus Church Kilkar on Thursday at 12 noon with burial afterwards in the adjoining cemetery. The funeral can be viewed live on MCN media.tv. House private please to family and close friends on the morning of the funeral. For more details including any family health guidelines for wakes and funerals please go to highlandradio.com Very modern altogether okay nine minutes past 10. You're very welcome along to the 9 till noon show. Welcome back if you were listening in the first hour we had an interesting conversation about a travel document that may be required for visitors to this country if they're not from Britain or Ireland or normally residents here traveling from the Republic into the north and we also discussed with Larry Donnelly and Joe Biden's visit to Ireland next month. Alright some of your comments coming in so far this morning. No not offended with the drinking fighting Irish opinion I'm more offended by Biden being welcomed that's the bigger picture that really affects us all regards from Mark but why Mark why is that offend bothering you. Good morning Greg it's okay to mock the Irish but any other culture it's a no-go why isn't Jimmy Kimmel sacked if Colin and Brendan were black and we all know what would happen St. Patrick's is coming the yanks will be all dressed as leprechauns why don't we dress as black face what's good for the goose well I don't why would we be racist in defense of perhaps not liking the portrayal of us why would we offend people of colour I don't understand the comparison there but I do appreciate your texts when will the penny ever drop that the party SNV was a very bad idea say so caller another good morning Greg homework did no harm to other generations yet the snowflakes these days complain about everything parents that basically don't want to do work with their children they want the easy life homework is essential believes this caller when you write stuff down you remember it better they say very bad hailstones up in the car and on an area a listener says that was an hour ago sorry I just only got to that my mistake hopefully things of ease there good morning Greg let's invite Biden the man who said he may be Irish the man who said he may be Irish but he ain't stupid what a thing to say will they ask him about that comments you heard Larry reference that actually I hadn't heard that one before morning Greg can you just let anyone know that the back road from drum keen to letter Kenny to Iran has heavy snow indeed and as soon as the temperatures get to a certain low it's just a road I would avoid but some people can't they might live on it congratulations to Highland Radio for putting on an excellent Irish language speaking segment on the naughty alarm clock after eight this morning I hope Highland does a lot more these Irish language speaking segments going forward okay thanks for that hi Greg could this be read out recently changed electricity providers smart meter was activated without consent they said they cannot deactivate the meter has anyone been in this situation any help would be greatly appreciated thank you I do know of many people who got a letter informing them that they were getting a smart meter informed but they didn't really pay any attention to it you know because a lot of letters come through and you kind of recognize that it's just the bill and you throw it on the counter and then they had the smart meter installed that's pretty much given your consent if you don't object once you've got the notification this person who contacted us said that they got a smart meter installed without their consent can it be deactivated can you roll back from the smart meter to analog I would suggest not do they actually take out the old analog meter I wonder when they are inserting when they are inserting the smart meter I haven't really seen how it works right lots and lots of reaction yesterday to our conversation between two guests as it relates to proposals plans the conversation about teaching transgender issues to eight and nine year olds in schools I feel like we're at the start of the conversation here and yet it seems like it's just about to be implemented but anyway some of your comments here as I committed to at the end of the show yesterday I agree with Pada Tobin Haley's points issues are for adults only over 18 at least Haley used words children are flexible that to me is a red alert because children are not mature enough to discern such issues in their lives parents know their own children and a happy childhood without unnecessary confusion is vital for the well-being of all but we are talking about we're not talking about all children we are talking about a very small amount of children compared to the national population maybe you are a parent of a child that it became apparent very early in their life you know this conversation seems to be along the lines of that eight nine year olds born male identifies male playing with boys toys not that it's really as much like that anymore but just for the sake of this statement and girls you know love paying playing with dolls right and then eight nine they go into school and they're taught about transgender issues and then all of a sudden they start questioning themselves believing that they aren't who they thought they were and all that kind of stuff that is that actually happening or is it's that there's a child in the school from four five six or seven and they may have been born male or female but I or act or feel that they aren't that and this is to have a conversation so they feel that they're in a safe place and that other children understand that there are people like that as they go out into the big bold world are those two scenarios mutually exclusive I don't know maybe you're the parent of a of a child who from an early age identified as a gender not to which they were born as let us know and help us help everyone understand regarding the discussion about terminology used nowadays yes there are times when we need to be sensible and sensitive to different situations such as when a child has lost a parent but my opinion is the more we overemphasize things the bigger an issue it becomes maybe we should be putting the focus on raising resilient children rather than always being on the defensive about terms used of course we should all value and respect each other but the need to be so PCs become ridiculous but I don't necessarily think in certain scenarios it's about political correctness okay it's about really experience of children like if a child say for instance lost their parents in a car crash and the teacher was aware of that right would you then that year or the next year you know introduce a book or a introduce a book or a film to the classroom or a conversation about car crashes without saying hello and yet we have to be careful here because this conversation might affect those children with what they've gone through or are you saying we should just teach them resilience and actually you know batter on and and if it upsets them it upsets them I'm not putting words in your mouth by the way and I hope you don't think I am and I'm not disagreeing with you either by the way just to be very very clear I'm just sort of trying to expand the conversation and tease different views out there but you would wouldn't you if I were a teacher and I knew that had happened I would be careful if such an issue were to come up so as not to further harm that child or maybe I'd be wrong in doing so and you should say you know suck it up that's life filling children's heads with sexual issues at eight or nine years old is an abuse of children okay so just I would love you to text back I know you text yesterday hopefully you're listening today if I mean obviously talked about the birds and the bees what bits people have and what they might do with them okay let me put like that there for eight or nine year olds I think most people would think no or at least would want to know what's being said but if they're told that there are people who identify a different way to which they're born right without going into the ins and outs of it right is that acceptable or any or is that seen as sexual sexual because one's gender one sex right would that be acceptable or is it a no-go area caller right across the board for eight and nine year olds what do you think you see the problem is is I have you know three kids of course but one of them completely different to the other would be far more capable of absorbing information and processing it and understanding it than the other and that's not a criticism maybe there's just personalities I don't know how you can judge all children the same in terms of what they're able to to understand or how it's told to them but I'll read this listeners comment from the beginning to the end so they don't believe that I'm in any way trying to edit it filling children's heads with sexual issues at eight or nine years old is abuse of children children should be allowed to enjoy their childhood why are changing the words mother father etc to accommodate LGBT and transgender people a minority why are we changing the world turning it upside down to please a minority now I'm not sure I mean obviously you've grouped in the whole group of people there as they are grouped in but there are people within that group that might fully agree with you as well that group that you've laid out there children in primary school of enough to deal with I wouldn't mind it being taught in secondary school but primary school is too young and this is why parents need to be consulted teaching children about gay or trans people will not make your child trans or gay believes this listener if we don't teach them about the real world they'll get their misinformation elsewhere pattern is against teaching consent and the new sex ed program also surely is a country we must realize that has not worked well for us in the past we need to open be open and transparent but we also need to be sure and we don't know yet and I hope this forms part of the conversation what is taught to children how it's taught to them and what impact what or how it is taught to them has on them because of course this listener here very clearly and I think they're probably referencing the fact that children were abused in horrendous numbers in the past and probably didn't know what was happening to them because there was no education right and they weren't able to sort of say this is wrong you shouldn't be doing that or didn't know how to relate what was happening to them to an adult that they trust we don't ever want to be in that situation do we but we also have to make sure that in what we say to them and how we educate them on anything for that matter is not also damaging to them clearly not in the same way but do we know at this point right how I'm sorry if I keep saying right it's just as I gather my thoughts 7 8 9 10 year olds would have any negative impact on them having this information and I think we need to be very clear on that wouldn't we if you don't want your child educated according to the Catholic Church don't send them to a Catholic school simple as that and other what is the psychological advice on teaching this in schools to children under 12 where is the carefree childhood in later life they can live and learn and otherwise always blamed on the Catholic Church I don't know of any religion that is for this she's not a real Catholic and ask her what her views are on the Muslim view and transgenderism education there's two genders male and female to teach the kids some of these are actually referencing a conversation on Friday but we we covered that on Friday it's up to parents to teach their children it's worked for thousands of years in the world did not stop says another another we don't teach primary school children about pedophilia suicides murders we protect their innocence for as long as possible yeah but I mean lots of I presume lots of parents have had to have these conversations with children that have been exposed to or are or are victims of some of the things that you talk about here and other says this country cracks me up the Catholic Church built these schools now we're saying you may own them but we want authority to run them if you don't like their teaching send your kids elsewhere there is no way the people of Ireland would walk into a Muslim school and tell them what to teach in their school it simply would not happen my daughter came back from school and she told me that they were learning about transsexuals asexuals bisexuals gay lesbian non-binary and so on I asked was she talked about heterosexuality she didn't know what I was talking about which is an interesting statement another if you don't want your child educated according to the Catholic ethos don't send them to a Catholic school I think that's in response to a little bit of criticism of the Catholic schools authority weighing in on that issue on the point of transgenderism caller says that whatever people choose to identify as their choice and should be respected but we should not be discussing this with small children in schools let children be children they say at the end of the day we are pleasing a very small percentage of our society by doing this listen that's quite a broad sample of what was coming in I think so far from what people are saying on the talks on this show is that broadly speaking parents are either against or are very nervous about what and how is being taught in the schools it's a developing conversation one which we'll return to we appreciate all of you taking part in that conversation here are the bingo numbers good luck if you are playing today the county's number one talk show the nine till noon show on Highland radio it's time for NCBI bingo on Highland radio it's Tuesday the 14th of March you're playing on the brown sheet the reference number is as 12 it's game number 11 the numbers are 66 five 46 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on the main street and the parade gets underway at three come early to get your spot along the route for this year's St. Patrick's Day parade in Latter County. It's St. Patrick's week at Salento Strabam and that means Euro for Pound at Salento but even more importantly it's Mother's Day on Sunday. So thank your mum with something special from Salento and thanks and Patrick for Euro for Pound Salento Strabam. Look good. Feel great. This week's nine till noon show was brought to you by St. Mary's G.A. convoy club development draw when fifty thousand for fifty euro draw takes place seventeenth of March. Get your ticket now at St. Mary's G.A. draw dot I.E. The community guarder information slot is brought to you by Sheridan security systems protecting what you value most. Call today and get your zero wire alarm system from two hundred ninety nine euro Sheridan security nine one two six zero two five. OK. It's twenty four minutes past ten on this Tuesday the fourteenth of March and it's time for today's edition of community guarder information and delighted to welcome into studio guarder Granja Daugherty from the letter Kenny district station. Good morning to you, Granja. Thank you so much for joining us. Morning, Greg. OK, we have some questions to to answers. I'm sure we'll have the Donegal Youth Awards reminder. We will, yeah. We have some information on St. Patrick's Day as well. But let's start with some appeals and how the public might be able to help in relation to a road traffic collision in letter Kenny, Granja. Yeah, so this collision happened on the Port Road out beside actually very close to the dry arch villain station there. So it involved a pedestrian in a car. It happened on Thursday, the ninth of March, so shortly before eleven p.m. So Gardy were at the scene and they spoke to all parties involved at the scene. The pedestrian was taken on to letter Kenny University Hospital to receive medical treatment for injuries they sustained. So we just wish to speak to anybody who traveled on that route who witnessed the collision firstly, but anybody also who may have had a dash cam that traveled on that stretch of road. We would like to hear from them also. So Gardy and letter Kenny may be contacted on nine months, six, seven, one hundred and perhaps there was somebody in and around the filling station itself that may have witnessed the collision also that we could speak to. All right. Your colleagues in Balai Shannon investigating a really quite significant theft close to Manchardis. Yeah, and this is quite an unusual one for these parts. I know that this was quite commonplace for a number of months last year. I know mid last year may be down the country. But so Gardy and Balai Shannon, they're investigating the theft of one and a half tonne of copper cable from a yard. This yard was at Drumkelin, Mount Charles. This happened on Thursday, the ninth of March, 30 hours between half past twelve and one twenty a.m. So as part of this investigation, the guards are particularly interested in any sightings of a white fan in that area around that time. So we appeal again to anybody who traveled in that area, who had a dash cam were particularly interested in speaking to them to make the footage available to us. And as we often say, just it's only a matter of dropping the footage into the station and the guards, then we'll go through the footage. And if anybody has any other relevant information, we also asked them to contact Gardy and Balai Shannon on 0719858530. And as always, the Guard of Confidential Lane may be contacted on 1800 666111. All right. Back to Dr Kenny now and your colleagues investigating criminal damage in Manor Conningham. Yeah. So this incident happened in the White Hill area of Manor Conningham happened on the morning of Friday, the 10th of March, shortly after midnight. So a jeep had been parked up at a yard. At a house in that area. It was set alight. So we appeal for dash cam footage again from anybody who may have traveled in that area in the early hours of Friday morning past shortly after midnight. We are particularly interested in any sightings of a man alone male who was on foot in that area around that time. If anybody can assist in any way with this appeal, contact Gardy and that or Kenny on 9167100. I mean, this is troubling, but the fact that was parked close to a residential property as well. It was parked on the yard, joined on to the house. Yeah, okay. Now, investigations on going into an incident on the grounds of letter Kenny University Hospital. Yeah. So another quite a similar type of incident, actually. So this criminal damage accident happened on in the early hours of Saturday, the 11th of March. So between 205 a.m. and 210 a.m. So a car. It was a red Toyota vitz at partial registration number 12D61. This car had been just set alight and abandoned. It was abandoned on the hospital grounds quite near where the main entrance to the hospital is. So just when you go on the main entrance, it's slightly over to the left. Is this a lower main entrance? Is it not? No, the main entrance into the hospital ground about there. But it was branched off slightly to the left hand side. And it was just abandoned on the wrong side of the road. And there on the hospital grounds had been set alight. So just we appealed to anybody who may have witnessed the incident, you know, who may have witnessed the vehicle being set alight. We appealed to anybody who may have seen this Caribbean driven and around the area of letter Kenny town or captured it on their dash cam footage. The car again is a red Toyota vitz partial red 12D61. So if anybody has any information in relation to that or dash cam footage that they believe might assist us, contact us and letter Kenny on nine one six seven one hundred. All right, back to Bali Shannon here and a number of incidents of criminal damage being investigated. Yeah, so these incidents happened at St. Beneldas, I hope I'm saying that properly. St. Beneldas Avenue there in Bali Shannon. So they happened between one thirty a.m. and nine thirty a.m. on Thursday, the ninth of March. Residents in that area, they just had parked their cars overnight the following morning. They discovered that quite substantial damage had been caused to their cars. You know, the cars had been keyed. Some of the cars had the bonnets keyed and the doors keyed and other cars had just the doors keyed. But quite a bit of damage on there. There was four separate vehicles that were damaged in that area. So residents in that area, maybe who may have seen or heard anything were appealing to anybody who may have witnessed any suspicious activity in that area on that date to contact Gary in Bali Shannon on 071 985 8530. And again, the confidential lane if they wish to contact them. Yeah, and when you talk about, say, for instance, you know, people might have a doorbell that records or whatever, you're not talking about necessarily all the time the incidents occurring at that time. It's activity that might seem unusual and maybe connected that can help form part of the investigation and find those responsible. Because if it was this area on that particular night, who is to say it won't be another area on another night? You know, the sooner these people are spoken to, I think the better. Exactly. And it could be as simple as simple as a resident in that area could have heard noise or chatter and outside or unlocked out and maybe seen one, two people. Something that might have seemed insignificant to them. But, you know, that information may be invaluable to us. So we would ask them if they have seen any sort of activity in that area between those times. I mean, in the middle of the night, you know, if you heard any sort of commotion and you happened to look out, we would like to hear from you. Yeah, it's either quite a lot of people in a very short space of time or fewer people and they're going to have to be unseen for quite some time. So someone hopefully has saw something there right now. I mentioned and it's great to be talking about this again, because I think it really is a super initiative and that's the Donegal Youth Awards. It's just a further reminder to the public Grania. It is. And I know it was mentioned last week now. We're like a long playing record, but just we're eager now to give everybody an opportunity. Just to catch everyone that deserves the nomination. Exactly. Yeah. And we did send out the farms to the schools and to clubs, you know, round Donegal, round the division, but it's just too easy to forget these things too. So it's just to assure a reminder. So the closing date for nominations is the 27th of March, Monday, the 27th, and the nominations have to be in by midday on that date to be considered. So the Donegal Guard of Youth Awards are held every year in conjunction with the Joint Policing Committee and they celebrate outstanding young people. The young people have to be between the ages of 13 and 21 and from throughout the Donegal area. So we're inviting people, look, if you know of a young person, a group of young people who are committed to making a difference within their community during 2022, we'd love to hear from you. Get the nominations in. They're four separate awards categories, the Individual Award, Group Award, Special Achievement Award and Community Safety Award. So this year's adjudicators are Judge Etchin Cunningham, Inspector Paul McGee and Councillor Jerry McMonegal. The farms can be obtained at any of the Letter Kenny, Millford, Belly, Shannon, or Bunkranna Guard of Stations. You can go to our Facebook page, there's a link in our Facebook page to download the farms or the Donegal County Council website. They also have the links on their website to download the farms and send the farm back to Letter Kenny Guard of Station and just mark it for my attention, Grania Daherty at the station. So you can also actually, you can email it into to DonegalGuardiYouthAwards at guarda.ie or drop, look it, you can drop it into your local station either in Millford or Bunkranna if you want and they can forward them on over to me. And it's a fantastic initiative and even just being nominated, everyone who's nominated is recognised, that's a brilliant thing. Right, now we get this contact quite regularly. A listener contacted the show last week in relation to foreign registered cars that are in Ireland and being driven by people presumably now living in Ireland. The caller wanted to know if those cars fall under the same regulations that UK registered cars do when owned and driven by a resident of Ireland. So just to frame this a little bit better, I mean, clearly what we're talking about here, I imagine, is people maybe with a car from Ukraine that they've been here for quite some time and they're driving around, yet someone who has bought by his car in the north and tries to drive around very quickly, they're pulled over and dealt with the full rigours of the law. So I presume that's where this comment is coming from and we do get an awful lot of people concerned seemingly about foreign registered vehicles. Let's just say Ukrainian vehicles, for example, being driven routinely now across Ireland. What is the law? Do the same laws not apply to them? Yeah, well, look, if you move to Ireland and you live here for 12 months or more, we'll just, just in relation to the driving license first, I wanted to cover that also. So if you live here for a year or more as a permanent resident, you must transfer your driving license over to an Irish driving license. So that's just something for people to be aware of. If you come to Ireland and you bring from, regardless of what country you come from, if you bring your foreign registered car with you, you must register immediately, if you intend on staying here as a permanent resident of Ireland. So it's the same rules would apply if you're a permanent resident of Ireland and you want to buy a UK registered car. Yeah, but what if you stop me at a checkpoint, right? And I'm driving a Ukrainian vehicle and this is not to target the individuals at all, but this is what we're talking about. And you say, why aren't you really registered your vehicle? I say, well, I'm here, you know, because I'm fleeing a war. I hope to return next month. Return to the... To Ukraine, for example. Do you know what I mean? I can't say for certain that I'm going to be here in a year, two years or three years. You know, what would happen in that instance? Well, you see, really, I suppose if a guard stops somebody at a checkpoint and they're maybe aware of the person that they are, they're definite, you know, in relation to the fact that this person is a permanent resident of Ireland and they're driving a foreign registered car then, in which case, and look, I suppose, it's primarily an issue for revenue. It would be more of a revenue issue. What people want to know is, are the same rules being applied to everyone in this country, equally by Guardi, all of the time now? Well, the rules are being applied equally, but it would matter, you know, if you're a permanent resident, the rules are totally different to somebody who brings a foreign registered car here, who has no intention of living here, and this won't be their primary residence on a permanent basis. You know, when you have people that come from various countries that bring their car, they remain here maybe one month, two months, but their intention is to travel home. And in which case, then, their only obligation is to ensure that the car is fully insured, roadworthy, same as every other car. And the guards do check that. They check their insurance, check their papers. But we have to be certain that that person is a permanent resident in Ireland. We do our background checks, of course, then, after maybe stopping a car, you know, we do our background checks. We take note of the registration number and we will check. The guards do regularly check. You know, they just don't take these stories at face value at their own side either. So they do check, you know, is this person here on a permanent basis? And then, maybe, if it's discovered that the person was not being truthful and they are here as a permanent resident, you know, and when the guard comes across that person again, then, you know, the matter will be dealt with then. But we have to be 100... We have to be sure in the fact that that person is a permanent resident, or, you know, if to verify the story to see are they on the hearing... Because you can't spot a foreign registered vehicle. Let's put it like that. And all of a sudden, fear the worst and spend tons of resources trying to find out the exact background and intentions of the driver. That's not really how law enforcement works in any scenario, really, presumably. No, no, well, we have to be... We have to be... Look, we have to have our facts in a row. You know, we have to have everything correct before we seize any vehicle or before we take action of any sort. So the background checks would be done. And if somebody stopped, regardless of where they're from, if they're driving a foreign registered car, they would be stopped. You know, their details would be taken. And then, whatever facts you're given at the roadside will be checked. You know, these facts will be checked after the fact. And if their car stopped again, and if you have been given false information, and you have discovered in the meantime that, in fact, this person is a permanent resident in Ireland, then they will be dealt with in the same manner as any other resident in the country. You know, their car will be seized and they will be dealt with accordingly. All right, another question came in about L-plates. Now, this is the perception of this caller. They were out and about in the letter, Kenny, just to shorten it a little bit. They spotted loads of cars, six cars, I think, with L-plates up. And then they concluded that because the drivers were young, that they must be the unaccompanied L-driver. Now, we don't know if that's the case because there could be twins, you know, one's an L-driver and the other's fully qualified, but then you'd expect to see an N on the car as well, of course, right, perhaps, dependent on their age. But anyway, what is the situation with drivers on a learner permit? Their car is in their name, it's fully taxed, it's fully insured, but they have to have a fully licensed driver on board with them at all times. Is that the case? They do. And we want to remind all learner-drivers who are tuned in this morning, or perhaps maybe parents out there who have a young person in their house who is a learner permit holder, they have to be by law, they have to be accompanied by a qualified driver at all times while driving. And the Clancy Amendment, you're probably, we've discussed the Clancy Amendment before, so it's now four years, over four years in December, actually, since the Clancy Amendment was introduced, it was introduced to improve safety on the roads by providing us the guards with an additional power to seize vehicles from learner-drivers who are detected driving a vehicle while unaccompanied by a qualified driver. So under the Clancy provision, learner or unlicensed drivers who choose to ignore this legislation, they will have their cars seized, their cars are being seized. That's not discretionary, the car will be seized. No, the car will be seized, and the cars are being seized, I know from talking to especially the roads policing unit, these cars are being seized in quite a regular basis. But it's just something for people to be aware of, also owners of vehicles, again, and picking on the parents, but you know, a parent or whoever owns the car, if they willingly allow a learner-driver to go out, they're well aware that they're going off out on the road today with their L plate, they're not accompanied. If they're aware of that fact, that person can face prosecution, the owner of the vehicle, and the vehicle will be seized also. So, and they are regularly seized, you know. When you say seized, just, can they be released? Is a payment made to release the vehicle? Or are they gone? Oh no, no, they can be released, but it will be the owner of the vehicle. Understood, okay. They would have to pay a seizure release fee then. No problem. And when the car is seized, there's a fee that has to be paid when it's seized. But each day then that the car is in our possession, there's an additional fee per day as well, yeah. So also the driver, the learner-driver, they would get a fixed penalty notice also. So they would face a fine of 80 euro, and they would receive two penalty points, which wouldn't be good. If you're a learner-driver, you want to avoid getting penalty points at all costs. You know, well everybody wants to avoid getting penalty points, but starting out in your driving career, you certainly don't want to be letting them mount up. So the learner-driver is only covered by their insurance company, if it states so in the terms of their insurance. So when a learner-driver stopped, they're asked, same as everybody else, you know, they're given the 10 days to produce their insurance set. The terms of that insurance policy then will be read in detail by whichever guard stopped them at the roadside. So that's something they should be aware of. So just look at really what we want to learner-drivers today, please don't go out driving unaccompanied. Owners of cars also, something that people may not have been aware of. You know, they can face prosecution if they allow their young person out on the roads. Just one other thing, I hadn't got it here in the notes, but just for people who are the holder of a learner permit, just something for them to be aware of. If you're only covered to drive on a learner permit and the jurisdiction from which that permit was issued. So, you know, somebody residing in Donegal, their permit was issued here in Nett or Kenny or in Donegal. That won't cover them outside that jurisdiction to drive as a learner driver. Outside the Republic? Yeah, and that's the same. If it's issued in Northern Ireland, you know, they won't be covered then on this side. It's just something maybe people weren't aware of and it's something for them to be aware of as well. So even accompanied, they couldn't go into dairy? No, not a learner driver. No, their permit's only valid in the jurisdiction. Not just to clarify, even accompanied, that is the case. All right, that's very, very interesting. Just looking out over your shoulder there, the snow is tipping it down. So if you're out and about dependent on where you are, but particularly on high ground, the snow is still with us. It's bucketing down here at the mountain top. Right, OK, it's not going to be snowing on St Patrick's Day, thankfully. It's going to be much milder and we're going to have some sunshine and some showers. But it's a busy weekend for Guardie. It is, yeah. And look, we're asking all road users. It's the same spiel every year. Coming up to St Patrick's Day, St Patrick's Day's an extremely busy day for Guardie, both on the streets in relation to public order issues and both out in the roads also. So we're urging all road users, firstly, to act responsibly, make responsible road safety decisions that St Patrick's Day and over the course of the weekend. And the last thing anybody wants is a tragedy. And we're asking people just to make safe decisions. And there is a roads policing operation in place. I was speaking to the sergeant in charge there of the roads policing unit. And it will take place over St Patrick's Day itself, but it also will continue on over the weekend until 7 a.m. and Tuesday morning. So they will be out enforcing the roads. Checkpoints will be held, speed checks. And Guardie will also maintain a visible presence on the streets around St Patrick's Day. So our priority is to keep people safe. We want to prevent death and injury in our roads. So we're also appealing to those who will be out socialising and consuming alcohol to leave their car at home. You know, designate a driver or arrange a lift and advance contact at taxi. And remember as well that you may be over the limit the morning after. So we're urging people not to drive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs and please also never get into a car. If you're aware that the driver has consumed alcohol or drugs, don't get into that car as a passenger. It rings someone that cares about you. You know, no one minds getting that call. Might be a bit crabid and give out, right? But I think any of us would prefer a call at 3 or 4 o'clock in the morning, get in the car, get out of bed and pick you up than thinking that you're jumping into the back of a car maybe with no seatbelt with someone who might be under the influence. You know, so passengers have a big responsibility here but call us. You know, I would suggest. You're going to look at your mammy or daddy or whoever. They're going to be crabid if it's 4 a.m. They would rather receive a call from you than a call from us or the hospital to say, you know, that the worst has happened and that's... And the crabidness will only last a few minutes. They will come for you, they'll love you at the end of the day and that's the safest option. Look, if you can't get a taxi, do ring someone from home and ask them to come and listen. If it's a case that you're stuck in the town, maybe you have no phone credit, your battery stayed, whatever the case is, you can't get a taxi. Call up to the garage station. Call up and ask us, we'll ring home for you or we'll try and... You know, we'll try and ring a taxi or your family or somebody but just don't take that chance. That's all we're asking people yet. Right, OK. And be well aware of the half-life of alcohol and drugs as well, particularly drugs. Obviously, they're illegal to take but there are more detections now than there ever was of people driving under the influence of drugs and it may not be just immediately after they've taken them or alcohol that they can both stay in your system for quite some time after you've finished... after you've finished using them, so just be aware of that as well. Right, OK, so obviously the biggest parade on Friday is in Lettercanny and there's a bit of a policing operation now to allow the parade to travel through the town smoothly but allow people to get access to go up and see it. So what's happening? Yeah, so look, same as every year, there's going to be a temporary road closure here in Lettercanny on St Patrick's Stages to allow for the parade and the festivities to go with that. So between 1 and 5pm, between the Port Road, between the station roundabout really, from the station roundabout, the whole way up Main Street to the very end of Lower Main Street, the whole Main Street's going to be shut. That's between the reserves, between 1 and 5pm. That's it. That's a very detailed road closure. Look, hey, I'm not getting into the specifics. From there to there, that's it, deal with it. From the station roundabout to the old Don's, shut. End of story. But that's the way it is really. We can go into all other bets if you want but that sums it up. Listen, it's only for everybody's safety as well. And of course, listen, if anybody has specific needs such as the disabled park and things like that, bring that to our attention. That will all be accommodated. Yeah, that'll be accommodated. And we want to wish everybody a happy St Patrick's Day, a safe and responsible one. Many families go out. Look, it's a big family day. It's not just for those who are reveling in socialising. A lot of families go out. It's a family day. We want everybody to enjoy the day. So if everybody acts in a responsible manner, hopefully they should. All right, good. And let's hope that... And listen, no one wants to wake up the next day with a sore head in the guard station or with a court date ahead of them. I don't think anyone would willingly want to do that. So just before you go, a couple of messages coming in. What about Ukrainians? They have no tax, no insurance, because guards can't understand their language. I mean, listen, there's an arrangement. We covered this before with the Insurance Federation of Ireland. There is an arrangement between Ireland and the Ukraine whereby they can continue playing their insurance in the Ukraine and they're covered to drive here. That is covered. I don't know what the story is, retax or whatever, but listen, they're not getting around checkpoints or what have you because the guards can't speak Ukrainian or they can't speak English, presumably. I mean, that is something that's spread on social media and I think people believe it to be fact. You're a guard, right? You're not going to sit there and tell us something that's not true. Routinely, are people from other countries, let's just say Ukraine, driving around in cars that are neither insured or taxed and guards can do nothing about them because they can't speak their language and they're not seized in the vehicles because the people aren't registered in the state? No, most certainly not. And as I explained earlier, you know, those cars, regardless of Ukraine, wherever their cars are from, if they're on foreign registered plates, those people, if they are going to remain in Ireland and they're going to be here on a permanent basis, their cars will have to be re-registered same as everybody else. But the insurance issue, that certainly is not overlooked. That's a very big issue for guards. Insurance is of utmost importance. We have actually got an interpretation service that we can get by phone. We use it regularly at the station. So if it is a case that somebody stopped at the roadside, we can get a translation service on the phone to conduct a conversation with, regardless of what language you're dealing with. So yeah, definitely not. Yeah, that's all language. And listen, it's not a focus, it's not a certainly a focus on the Ukraine. And I wasn't drawing you into that, Grania, but I imagine I'm just referencing in the reality what a lot of people's concerns may be. So there's no point pussy foot narrative from my perspective, if you get me. All right, Grania Doherty, thank you very much indeed. Thank you so much. We really appreciate it. That was Community Guardia Information for this Tuesday, the 14th of March. It'll be available for you to listen back on our website or watch on our social media and on the Facebook account of on Guardia Connor later today. We're back with you with it live next week after the 10 o'clock news next Tuesday. 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Many of these will be wintery with the chance of hail and thunder, highest temperatures of just four to seven degrees with an added wind chill owing to moderate to fresh and gusty northwesterly winds. OK, bit of a treat for you now because singer-songwriter George Houston's back in studio. Hey George, how are you getting on? Oh good, how are you? Great and it's good to have you back in with us. Thank you for having me. From Innisfone, you're pretty young in your career, but at the same time you've been around a bit too, it says in the blog here, George's young career, but you've been performing quite a while now. First song out on the 18th of September 2020, if you want an exact date. Thanks for that, yeah indeed. All right, and how has it been? Because it's a tough enough false slog to get your art out there too, isn't it? I think it's just with the COVID that kind of put a big pause on everything, but everything's been, ever since things have opened up, there's gigs everywhere, and people are mad to get back at live music and hear live musicians playing, and I think that there's a real, a real taste for it. Yeah, because I mean, obviously you record music, you put it out there, and we're going to talk about your album launch shortly, but it can be nothing better than sort of getting out in front of people, I imagine. And you've been on some big gigs too, haven't you? I, last year, we were doing a Stendhal Festival with Sister Sledge and Villagers, and Hacey Dixie's were headlining, like they're just class musicians, I've been listening to them since I was wee, and then I supported for the Hot House Flowers on a Christmas show in the Guildhall in Derry, which is definitely the biggest show I've ever done, it was fantastic to meet them all. What was it like getting out on stage and, you know, taking, like, did you allow yourself to see how many people were there, and them all kind of like surrounding you, and just waiting for you to start? Like, what's that emotion like? I was just exhilarating really, but I suppose every stage is different, and the Guildhall is this real eerie vibe, like this huge cathedral, and there's a real echo off of everything I was saying, so it was just, I suppose, you can hear yourself back, I can hear myself gulping and everything. But do you get nervous, and do you use that nervous to your advantage, because nerves, people always believe nerves to be a negative thing, but once you can use nerves, if you don't get nerves, it's bad, and then once you can use those nerves to your advantage, do you know what I mean, because it's the flight and fight, you can really use them to sort of, you know, feed back into your performance, can't you? I probably just get an adrenaline rush really, and it kind of, I do think it helps get some of those high notes out, and but probably I'm more nervous after the show, because then it's kind of seeing what the verdict is, and seeing how it went, that's when I get the nerves. Okay, I suppose, yeah, right. Now we're going to hear two songs from you. We'll talk about the album launch later this month. Shall we go with the other man first? Yeah, okay. All right, whenever you're ready, take it away. This is George Houston, singer-songwriter from Innyshow, already enjoying a great deal of success and his new albums coming out later this month. This is the other man. Baby, you're pushing 30. I'm not naive. I know you're a cheater. At least it isn't me who has to come out and leave her. Don't touch my hair. Don't take my hand. Can't believe you made me the other man. Except the smell of you and menthol cigarettes. You ask again to wait. Well, I don't stay up late. Not for you to tell me how I hesitate. Why would you tell the truth if you could lie? Would you tell the truth if you could lie? Because it's easy. The truth is cursed, but I've already been lied to. That's the part that hurts. You want a clean slate? I'd like it dirty. I'm barely over-aging. Baby, you're pushing 30. I'm not naive. I know you're a cheater. At least it isn't me who has to come out and leave her. Don't touch my hair. Because it's easy. The truth is cursed, but I've already been lied to. That's the part that hurts. You want a clean slate? I'd like it dirty. I'm barely over-aging. Well done, George Houston there and the other man. So, I mean, there's a maturity to the song writing there now. I mean, you're talking about, you know, a complicated subject there. In the writing process, why do you want to go down that route? Or is it the right time to sort of start, you know, not making just, not that you ever did, but, you know, nice fluffy pop song. I mean, that's a song with a story in there. I suppose I'm one of those ones that kind of uses it like a diary. And I think there's something wrong with the way capitalism is made. People think that unless music's good and unless you can make money from it, then it's not useful. And that's a real shame because music's made to make you feel, and it's made to make you happy and sad, and it's made to get it out. And, yeah, I think when I'm writing, I just want to get something out. And I'm trying not to think too much of it's poppy. I'm trying not to think too much of it's poppy or if it's jazzy. I just want it to be. But in terms of those norms and that capitalism that you talk of, though, that's kind of been circumnavigated to some extent because no relationship now really for the most parts directly with your fans, if you know what to mean. Like, it's great to get airplay. It's great to get on the streams and all that. But in terms of, you know, you can reach your fan base directly yourself. They can come to your concerts. So you're getting rid of the middleman, so to say. I will... Well, you can do. Now, the middleman is important too, don't you? I suppose at the end of the day, if someone who is kind of struggling with anything or if there's a feeling in common, then it makes it worth it because they get a happiness out of it or they get a sadness out of it. If someone cries to one of my songs, it's a huge compliment because it's kind of like we have something in common. Even if it's... Even if they're thinking of a different situation. Well, that's what good songwriting is, I think. Because, I mean, that song sounds like it's about a very specific situation, but it's very relatable. You know, you change the characters and, you know... And it doesn't even happen. It's something to someone. And that's what... You know you've done your job when the song can do that. People put their own experiences onto songs as well, which is lovely. All right, that's the other one. That's on the new album, isn't it? That's on the original album. This is just kind of a tour of the last two albums because I've never put on my own shows as of yet. I've just been doing festivals and supporting for people. So this is me. So it's undesired, really. You are launching an album called Undesired, right? The album's already out. Is that right? But this is like... I suppose... Listen, I've missed one important word in all of this. This is the tour of the album. The album's out. Now we're launching the tour of that album. Yes, this is the Undesired tour. That's why I should read every word in the line. All right, so George is launching his new album tour Undesired. It's at the Regional Cultural Centre on Thursday, the 30th of March at 8 p.m. And you would be enough, but you've got a great lineup on the night, haven't you? Hi, fantastic lineup. I have Shona... Is it McDade or Gallagher? Shona McDade, I'm pretty sure. Shona McDade, you are 100% right. I'm thinking of my friend Shona Gallagher. Shona McDade, she's a fantastic songwriter. I heard her in the college bar and her voice is just so deep and rich. It's unbelievable. It sounded like a studio recording when I first heard her. I just really wanted her to join me for the night. And as well, I have Romy. It's a German duo and their harmonies are just gorgeous. They sound like they're straight out of, I don't know, Appalachian folk. It's just beautiful. All right, okay. Your band's there. Katie Houston, Rachel Craig, Steven McKay. And of Tramp and Malcolm Boyd. Happy out. You're... There's something... I don't know what it is and I don't know how to describe it, but you're interested in music then. Sorry, I'm way over 11. I didn't realise it. Okay. Okay, Jason, stay where you are, right? Because I got lost in that and completely didn't realise where we were. You sit over here. Please. Thank you very much. This will be our newsreader for today. All right, stay where you are. Okay, having lost completely lost track of time, I can tell you it's now three and a half minutes past 11, so we welcome on to the programme a very patient Donna-Marie Daugherty with the latest news headlines, Donna-Marie. Thanks, Greg. Good morning. A pedestrian was struck by a car close to the dry-arch filling station in Lettercanny on Thursday night last around 11 o'clock. Guardies say they spoke to all parties at the scene and the pedestrian was brought to hospital for treatment of injuries they sustained. Anyone who witnessed the incident or travelled along that route around the time and has dashcam footage is asked to contact Guardie in Lettercanny. Meanwhile, Guardie and Balli Shannon are investigating the theft of 1.5 tonnes of copper cable from a yard in Drumkelin, Mount Charles, in the early hours of last Thursday morning. Guardie believed the theft happened between half past midnight and 20 past one. They're particularly interested in any sightings of a white van in the area around that time. They're also anxious to hear from anyone who may have been travelling in the area and may have dashcam footage. 88 eviction notices were served in Donegal from July to September last year. Deputy Padrick McLaughlin says such data released by the Residential Tennessee Board underlined the government's need to reverse the end of the eviction ban. And finally, an average of 16 learner drivers a day get penalty points for not being accompanied by a qualified motorist. As well as this, an 80-year-old fine and car seizure will be sanctioned. Speaking on this morning's 9 to noon show, Garada Granadorty urged learner drivers to not drive unaccompanied. She also reminded provisional license holders that their license is not valid in Northern Ireland regardless if they are accompanied or not. That's all for now. We'll be back again with news headlines at 12 o'clock. All right, Donna Marie, thank you very much indeed. Well done doing that in those circumstances. Yes, so we're in the company here of George Houston, singer-songwriter, who is launching his album Tour Undesired at the Regional Cultural Center on Thursday the 30th of March. So music is much more to you, George, than your songwriting, your singing then. I mean, I think you probably have views on the state or direction or perception of the music industry. Hi. See, I'm very intuitive. Yeah, I think the music industry is full of businessmen, unfortunately. But like, you just have to roll with the punches, unfortunately, and find the good ones that are in it for the love of music. Right, boo-hoo. Talk to us about this track. This is the first song I ever put out. And yeah, I suppose that's it. Does it sound talking, does it? Yeah. All right, take it away. This is George Houston then and his track, Boo-hoo. Two. Houston there. That is Boo-hoo. The album Tour Undesired, the launch of it, is in the Regional Cultural Centre at the end of this month, 30th of March at 8pm. Are public invited or tickets available? How is it working? Tickets available on RCC website. There is shows in Belfast and Dublin and Derry. And they can all, all the tickets can be found on my social webs or socials like Instagram. Just look up George Houston on Facebook, Instagram should be easy to find. All right, okay. And on the 30th of March, great lineup too. You heard Shawna McDate there, Donna Goldsinger songwriter, the German duo Rummy and so many more besides. Continue success. What is success? What does success look like to you, George? Just be able to keep doing this. Excellent. What do you do with it? Houston, we don't have a problem. And you're doing well. All right. And keep at it. Well done, George. It's great to see you developing as you are. It's amazing. We wish you everything that you wish for and loads of success. All right. Apologies for the delay in the news. That's all behind us now, but anyway, still we'll be back with more after the break. This week's Nine Till Noon show was brought to you by Sid Mary's GA Convoy Club Development Draw. Win 50,000 for 50 Euro. Draw takes place 17th of March. Get your ticket now at SidMary's GA Draw.ie. Bluebird Care are looking for you. Bluebird Care are currently seeking cares and nurses to join their ever-expanding team. The immediate starts for cares in all parts of the county, especially letter Kenny in Ishawn and Donegal Town. Bluebird Care are also looking for registered general nurses for day and nighttime 12-hour shifts. Contact Bluebird Care on 0749129562 or bluebirdcare.ie and bring care home. At Screw Fix, we've got great deals for St Patrick's Day, like a 25 Euro saving on the DeWalt T-Stack 2.0 storage tower. Now just $144.95 and save 20 Euro on the Titan 20-litre wet-and-dry vacuum, only $54.95. So you don't want to miss out. Hurry, deals end Friday. Shop online at screwfix.ie or in over 30 stores. Screw Fix, the choice of champions. While stocks last, visit screwfix.ie for teeth and seeds to livery charges and restrictions. Plug in to the all-electric Volkswagen E-Up City car with a range of up to 253 kilometers. Power up with seamless smartphone integration and exhilarating all-electric acceleration from the moment you press go. Plug in and power up with the all-electric Volkswagen E-Up from just 27,850 Euro. Search Volkswagen E-Up for more. Get ready for the all-new Pulse Venue with state-of-the-art sound and light and all-new decor. Reopening Saturday 18th of March with the Whistling Donkeys. Tickets on sale now. See Pulse Letter Kenny on Facebook for updates. Could be, get your ticket from Highland Radio at highlandradio.com. And if that's not enough, enter before Friday 24th of March and you will also be in with a chance of winning a 1,000 Euro voucher to use on any celebrity cruise booking with Atlantic Travel plus 1,000 Euro cash. Draw will take place on the Naintown End Show Friday 24th of March. There you are at your local shop. Mother's Day card in one hand and a fancy schmancy scented candle in the other. Only to look up and see the display of scratch cards and you think, why not pop an all-cash in the envelope? The smile on mom's face will really light up the room if she wins big. With millions in cash prizes to be won instantly, when you're in store from Mother's Day, ask for any all-cash scratch card. The National Lottery. It could be your mom. Gift responsibly. A county's number one talk show. The Naintown End Show on Highland Radio. And it's good to have you back on the program. On to it we welcome Mary T. McBride. Good morning to you and thanks so much for joining us. Good morning, Greg. Thanks for having me. That's good to have you with us now. There's an article in the papers today where I suppose former Minister Deputy Joe McHugh is drawing the line in the sand, which he will not cross over to rejoin the Finnegale party to take up the party whip. And I think one of the key demands he's seeking is penalty-free downsizing for defective, concrete home owners. I mean, that would be a significant step in the right direction. Mary T. in fairness. Absolutely, Greg. I think it's really positive to see Deputy McHugh call out the need for penalty-free downsizing because, as we know, vulnerable home owners like pensioners, they'll not be able to raise any additional financing to cover any shortfall in fixing their home. So I think penalty-free downsizing is definitely needed for those wishing to do that. But I mean, it's a bit of a low-hanging fruit and it's also only one of 80 amendments that were put forward by homeowners to try and make this scheme fixable. And I suppose my comment on be wary of false friends is, you know, what does Joe to say about the unjust square foot caps facing victims in Donegal, which defective apartment owners, including his own party leader, don't appear to have? What about the exclusion of businesses, farm buildings, and others? What about the impact of the visual damage threshold on homeowners that were forced to plaster over cracks to try to keep some heat in their homes? And then, crucially, what does he to say about the lack of information regarding progress in the review of IS465 and the fact that we've learned that engineers Ireland have advertised a training for March 30th on the existing standards, which we know is faithfully flawed? You know, I think it's very positive to see Joe Mechew come out about under whether this stance is more to do with Joe's desire to get back into the Donegal party fold, rather than seeking a just and fair solution for families in crisis. I just can't understand his silence on so many other crucial issues. That being said, just I think we invited Deputy Mechew on, did we? Yeah, did we invite him? No, we didn't. OK, well, we'll extend that invite to him to tease this out a little bit more with him. That being said, I suppose if every politician sort of set out red lines before they would be in government or be in a ruling party, let's put it like that there, there'd be very few politicians about it. He, at least some might say, you know, he stood with homeowners in terms of giving up the party whip and he has picked quite an important change as maybe his pathway back into the party. He's not, I mean, you wouldn't expect him, let me put it to you like this, you wouldn't expect him really to set out 80 demands before he rejoined Finnegal, would you? No, I don't, but I do expect him to be a bit more transparent about, you know, what those red line issues are because in his media statement, he has only been quite clear about the penalty-free downsizing, but he's, you know, dangling a sort of invisible courage if you were in front of homeowners by saying there are other issues that he's also seeking to have addressed in amendments to, you know, the regulations or to the redress scheme and what are those? I mean, I really think, you know, homeowners are in an absolute crisis and unfolding humanitarian disaster here in Dunnegal as we all know and as you've widely covered, Greg, I think it's just the basic, you know, respect for the situation that they're in that actually MQ would say what those are, you know? It's kind of interesting too today, I know that the EU's looking to introduce zero-emission new-build houses by 2028, okay? And it's almost like sometimes you feel like you're living in an alternative reality. To what building standards to houses currently replacing defective concrete houses? To what standard do they have to be built? It's 2208, is it? 2008? Exactly, yeah. I mean, so we have a multi-billion-year-old scheme, right? That the government is backing that is at least going to be, if not already, at odds with EU law. And that's what's acceptable to the people of Dunnegal and the other counties that we are talking and the media is talking about, oh right, these new regulations, zero-emission houses by 2028, five years away. And we've barely scratched the surface of rebuilding these homes and they're going to be built to outdated standards. It kind of, you know, I find it hard even to read or listen to the news because it's so bloody ridiculous and a lot of these contradictions and exclusions and mistreatment of Dunnegal people and those in other counties are just routinely ignored. It's as if it doesn't matter. It's crazy, like it's unreal. You would, if you explain this to aliens, they'd get back in their mothership and start off back to wherever they came from. Absolutely, I mean, and that's another one of the issues that I would have thought, you know, would have been an easy one for a deputy in the queue to, you know, come out publicly and say that he would be pushing for also. But he hasn't, you know, and I really would urge him to maybe rethink, you know, when he's next on your show or in other media statements to kind of be a bit clearer with homeowners about what his red line issues are beyond penalty free downsizing. And I presume as well that he, you know, was in support, as all of us were, with the 2.5 billion euro 100% redress for defective apartment owners, which seemingly has no caps involved in that. And to, you know, again, the points that you just made, and they're not restricted to, you know, pre-2008 building standards, just the inequity is just astounding. Yeah, and unfortunately, the way news cycles works, it was a big deal for a little while and it's on to the next thing. Yet, there are people that are not sleeping at night or have to live the rest of their lives with this dark cloud, this inequality hanging over them. And yet it was three or four days in the newspapers, which is actually not bad for an issue. And then it's gone, but the reality is left. We're living, we are left with the reality. Thousands of people, and I'll tell you, when it becomes cheaper to access the scheme if that ever happens, I think we're going to see a tsunami of houses, additional houses in Donegal and elsewhere that are going to be found to have defective concrete. Absolutely, yeah. And I just think that, you know, like Joe McHugh, as a government party TD, his voice does have more weight, particularly with national media, when he speaks out, maybe more so than our opposition TDs who have been tirelessly campaigning and trying to raise all these issues. So I really thank you. In terms of the opposition, and I can't wait, those chickens are going to come home to roost soon and words are going to have to be backed up soon. Absolutely, we'll have to see the colour of their money, you know, if indeed they do leave, you know, the next government. But I mean, I'm just dealing with the reality of where we are today. I get you, I'm not pulling you up on the right here. I'm just saying, you know, I've logged so much on this, I've logged so many commitments to so many different things, big item things, this defective box scandal, the state of the hospital, you know, stuff that's, I've asked questions directly as will this be resolved? The answer being in the affirmative. And I just, I await to ask those questions in a different political environment with the hope that obviously for people, things improve, that's what we want. I'm not looking for any gotchas or anything to try and catch people out. And Mary T, we were, former minister, I keep going to call him minister, Joe McHugh said in an event today, we didn't invite him before this call, right, in fairness to him, and he said he'll come on with us. And I'll tease out some of the stuff that you've been talking about, Mary T, and see what other, because he does say the wording's quite, he says he would consider rejoining the party on that particular issue, the low-hanging fruits as you described it. We'll see what else it would be required for him to re-enter. Okay, is that all right, Mary T? Anything you want to add? Yeah, thank you very much. Listen, stay strong. Thanks, Mary T, for joining us. I appreciate your time. Thanks, Greg. All right, take care of yourself. Oh, wait, 60, 25,000 WhatsApps and texts to that number. And it's been a really busy week on the phone lines. I can't overemphasise how important that is to us. Now, just a statement here from Letter Kenney University Hospital, by the way, they are extremely busy today with long wait times at the ED. The emergency department at the hospital has under significant pressure with high attendance and long waiting times. A record number of 194 patients attended the emergency department in the last 24 hours, that's huge, 194 people. The high number of people attending who need to be admitted for ongoing treatment means that there is pressure on beds availability. This is resulting in significant delays being experienced by patients in the ED who are waiting for a bed to become available on the ward. So that means we're going to see very high trolley watch figures tomorrow, okay? The hospital is also treating 10 patients with COVID-19, four patients with influenza A. They say that all beds available in the hospital at the moment are in use. Every effort they say is being made to discharge patients who are ready to go home so the beds will become available for patients who need to be admitted at the earliest opportunity. The hospital says it acknowledges that these delays are very difficult for patients and their families and apologize for the inconvenience and distress these delays cause. It says the hospital is committed to treating everyone who presents at the ED. People who are seriously injured or ill are assessed and treated as a priority and those who do not require urgent care may be waiting longer. And they re-emphasize that people should only attend the emergency department at the hospital if it is an emergency situation. They ask people to attend their GP or an out-of-virus service in the first instance if at all possible is the phraseology they use. So the hospital, very busy. All beds currently occupied. They're trying to discharge those who can be discharged. That in and of itself when we covered it extensively on this show is a challenge. Getting home care packages, beds in the community family who are able to look after someone who doesn't require acute care any longer requires ongoing care. And the delays and the problems and the shortage there, it then has a knock-on effect and people can't get into the hospital because sometimes there's a struggle to get people out. Stop Highland Radio are going to Scotland from Monday the 1st of May to Thursday the 4th of May with the very best of music and we would love for you to join us. Staying at the four-star Crown Plaza Hotel in Glasgow, we are bringing with us some of the biggest country stars including myself, David James, Declan Ernie and Robert Mazzel to name a few. You will enjoy luxury travel to Glasgow, three nights dinner bed and breakfast with music and entertainment each evening. Join us on the Highland Fling to Glasgow this May for only €575 per person. To book, call Highland Radio today on 074 9125000. Early booking is advisable, single supplement applies. Some sports demand resilience, great power, Cheltenham demands it all and this is William Hill Racing at Cheltenham. Get our top price guarantee against selected bookmakers on all championship races. It's who you play with, William Hill. Top prices from 9am 27th February 23 until the start of each of the four championship races compared to selected competitors. Standard win market odds only, exclusive competitor offers, further terms apply, 18 plus for advice and information visit gamblingcare.ie Call a hands gala and go Burt, your one stop family shop. Drive into our newly renovated spacious forecourt, fill up at our upgraded modern fuel pumps and save with our keen go fuel prices. Located on the main Letter Kenny to Derry Road were the ideal pit stop on your Dunningall journey. Fast flow fuel, self service or attended with a smile. Shirts all go with Calla Hands. Join me, Marty Frayl, this and every Friday night from eight for rocking hits on Highland Radio in association with Arena 7 Letter Kenny, the best family entertainment complex around with bowling, laser quest, soft play center and more, visit arena 7.ie This week's Nine Till Noon Show was brought to you by St Mary's GA Convoy Club Development Draw. Win 50,000 for 50 Euro. Draw takes place 17th of March. Get your ticket now at stmary'sgadraw.ie Okay, now it just so happens there are these types of stories going around at the moment. Let me put it like that. But we read that the head of a childcare representative group has said one of the world's largest nursery school groups, which instructed parents to stop telling their daughters they look pretty or claiming calling them princess or a tomboy was overstepping a boundary. The woke handbook sent to parents whose children attend bright horizons nurseries in the US and the UK also cautions moms and dads against praising good behavior and takes pains to define girls as children who identify as a female. Elaine Don is chair of Ireland's Federation of Early Childhood Providers and joins us now. Good morning, Elaine. Can you hear me? Elaine, I wonder. Okay, we are struggling to pick up Elaine there. We'll come back to her in a moment. Stay right where you are. Don't know what went on there. Caroline, you might have an investigation for us. I call it says it is really time to get a pedestrian bridge near the dry arch if people are getting injured. There should be no people crossing a dual carriage waits on safer pedestrians and motorists says a caller. My children go to secondary school and every day they have at least three free classes with teachers away training. Should teachers not be qualified enough going into a job to prevent this from happening as it's the children that are suffering? Another caller says why do you have to travel to letter Kenny NCT centre to get an NCT on your van? It can't be done in other centres around Donegal. I'm not really quite sure about the reason for that. Anyone with any insights please let us know. Right, I have a quick break to catch up on and that will give us an opportunity to reconnect with our last guest. Stay right where you are. Watch the show live now on YouTube, Facebook and at HighlandRadio.com. We have Davey Russell and Andy Maxx exclusive views plus all the top tipsters ready to get your first pass the post all week. The Irish Daily Star number one for racing number one for you. Calla Hans Gala and Go Burt your one stop family shop drive into our newly renovated spacious four court fill up at our upgraded modern fuel pumps and save with our keen Go Fuel prices. Located on the main letter Kenny to Dairy Road were the ideal pit stop on your Donegal journey. Fast flow fuel, self service or attended with a smile. Shirts all go at Calla Hans. Dylan's Hotel letter Kenny is the perfect place to celebrate special occasions. Dylan's exclusive function rooms cater for up to 120 guests for any occasion from corporate celebrations presentations and networking events to milestone birthdays anniversaries and retirement parties. There's audio visual equipment integrated PA systems and even a private bar. Dylan's Hotel perfectly located letter Kenny town center with a award winning food and five star service call 911 229 double seven. Toyota Relax our new service activated warranty is now available at Kelly's Toyota letter Kenny in Mount Charles. Whether you bought your Toyota from us a classified ad or your auntie once it's less than 10 years old with under 185,000 kilometers you will get a 12 month warranty when you get your service at Kelly's Toyota letter Kenny or Mount Charles. For more search Toyota relax. Toyota built for a better world. Okay, let's go to the plight. Hopefully Elaine Don chair of Orleans Federation of Early Childhood providers can hear us now. Can you hear me? Okay, Elaine. Yeah, okay. Can you hear me? I can just the signal is not fantastic but we can work with it. Right. Don't discuss a girl's looks. That's the advice of one of the world's biggest childcare businesses. Parents whose children attend a bright horizon nursery in the UK and US have been given handbooks which include how to speak to young girls. It advises people not to use gender-based words like princess or words like bossy as it reinforces gender stereotype. I don't know. I'm finding it hard to get my head around some of this stuff. As a chair of Orleans Federation of Early Childhood providers what say you? What's your feelings on where we're going the direction here? Well, I suppose for me in my service everything is parental driven. And if we were still having parents coming to us asking us not to use the term princess or superhero whatever then what we would do is we would survey all of the parents and we would take guidance from them. So I was quite shocked when I heard what was in the handbook. It certainly wouldn't be in my handbook in my service in any way. In terms of endearment are always used to empower the children and it's all the children within your service. It's not just the girls we would empower all children in the same light. It seems to be the what they're against is affirming gender stereotypes you know that maybe girls play with these toys boy plays with them girls wear skirts boys wear trousers you know but I mean where's the evidence for this? You work with children does that cause harm if you speak and treat children like that? Can I come in? Yeah, look one thing I will say to you here when children come into a service the girls play with the cars the boys play with the dolls they wash the dolls no everybody does the same thing it's totally child led so a child wants to go and take a doll in the book and push it around the room or wash the doll down or whatever that's up to each individual child they're not treated any differently because of their gender they're all treated exactly equally do you know what I mean? So that's empowering a child Yeah so but would you avoid using words like avoiding using words like princess or gender specific words like girls or boys? No not at all Yeah that being said we can't ignore this either because this isn't this isn't necessary In the morning time when we open the door that's oh come on in princess and Yeah my apologies Elaine we won't keep you very much longer the line is just very is very up and down but the point I was trying to make here this isn't just some person one individual that's tweeted something that's open for discussion this is quite a significant organization that's distributing this handbook do you think there'll be a push back from parents? Do you talk to parents much about these types of issues and what do you think they might say? I actually do it's going to be 25 of my parents so we're absolutely shot a child needs to be a child and if a parent wants to make a decision to change how we address their child well then they will come to us individually and then we will do them case by case you know you look into the future who knows what the future is going to hold here you know what is going to go on in the next couple of years because you see a lot of changes as you said about gender so we don't know what's going to happen in the near future all right listen thanks for working through us that with us on that Paul connection we appreciate your time no it's okay it's perfectly fine Elaine Donner chair of Ireland's federation of early childhood providers now as I say this is these issues on the hobby halls for us here by the way I just want to make that clear it just so happens that there are two quite high profile stories going around at the moment both which deal with children and conversations around gender so just to give you a recap there the head of a child care representative group has said one of the world's largest nursery school groups which instructed parents to stop telling their daughters they look pretty or calling them princesses or a tomboy was overstepping boundary the walk handbook sent to parents whose children attend Bright Horizons nurseries in the US and the UK also cautions moms and dads against praising good behaviour and takes plans to define girls as children who identify as female you just heard from Elaine Donner she has her concerns but what say you 08 660 25000 and also I do want to hear from people who might believe that this is the right way to go I just think it's there's more and more that sort of it's in it's it's it's notional amongst adults and it's being imposed on children it's just I don't know it feels a wee bit feels a bit worrying good morning Greg so the guards have no problem seizing learner driver cars from Donegal yet Ukrainians can go where they want as she said if they find out they are a permanent resident the next time they're caught they'll be dealt with if you know they're a resident then they know the address it's how long the intent to stay here the situation is somewhat complicated the majority will go home when it's safe for them to do so I don't know what the definition of a permanent resident is but I am a permanent resident a Ukrainian staying in a hotel in one of our towns and villages I don't think they'd be classed as permanent they don't have a permanent address and what have you just listening there all about the money Greg get money in not learn your drivers or anything else please that caller let me see keep going here congratulations to George and his album tour from his old piano teacher is impressive George he really is I just want to mention one other thing as well Stremort National School do you remember we had the students in with their robot that fired little disks out they had won the national competition they're doing a fundraising to go over and compete at the World Vex Robotics Championship in Dallas it's the biggest robotics event in the world and why shouldn't we have a group from Stremort National School over at it well there's a big breakfast for Stremort National School it's on Sunday March 26th so that's a week Sunday it runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. it's in Wilkins Bar in Churchill all donations greatly appreciated so if you want to back them you can do that right we were talking yesterday on the show about littering how in God's name are we going to stop it maybe Joe can help us Joe good morning to you thanks for taking the time to speak to us today how are you keeping right okay you were talking to us about people throwing rubbish out the windows what particularly do you want to talk about right right well I just said the lady talking about it just then just wanted to make a comment on it no I'll give you an example anybody that throws a bottle over a hedge if I'm going to now know how more I know the bottle breaking is kind of a sudden noise the flames pick it up from the village and then the harvester lefts it and goes on to the city stop now if you have a clue where appropriate the stomach or if not doing well you realize that the trees are eating these butts of grass and people are saying but they don't realize the pain and the suffering the animals have sheep can cause both yeah it's an interesting point you make because we often view this as environmental or how pretty the countryside might look or our towns and villages might look but this is a problem for farmers as well because as you say you bring them all over it you hear that crack it's in bits and it could end up do we know does it happen I'm sure it does though but does it happen where animals that have fed this product end up getting injured because of the plastic contained within well you know it's kind of freezing sort of a silent killer if you don't know what's what's just doing to the downside but I had it a few years ago with a perfect stomach and actually we could do on that another example of it a tin can now if you look at the trough or the seeding process where the cellage is and they have it cleaned up you'll get bits of can bigger than the cow would eat the supply to the can so that's a big bit more to the wee bits go but how they go on to them and through them you know that you don't realize the damage is doing to the environment and the animals especially it's really quite an interesting point that I hadn't really thought of or heard before Joe and it makes perfectly perfect sense because this stuff has to end up somewhere there's no way to filter these shards of plastic or metal and the idea then that a cow or a sheep could be eating them and and digest them and any grazing animal presumably a horse or whatever it might be the same could apply Joe the seeding does apply especially when they're grazing plastic now a wee plastic bag or ever for the cow the cow and sheep knows it and they'll pick that up and start to chew it and a few times a full plastic out of the cow's mouth you know it's a job of catching I don't know if I can do that you running around looking to try and give an oral examination to a cow that's not interested in having a look at you Joe but listen yeah okay I see exactly where you're coming from never crossed my mind before but I will remember this conversation Joe another good reason as to why we don't or shouldn't be chucking our rubbish away illegally all right Joe good man how is it farming at the moment of you is it tough good exactly good to have the health to do it Joe come here keep on it take care of yourself Joe lovely to chat to you thank you all right bye bye all right that's Joe there he's out and about and now looking out the window here at the mountain top in letter canning but the weather is beautiful I would say it's chilly but it's beautiful okay morning this is the second year I've contacted the chamber the letter canning chamber I presume this is about having a quiet part of the parade for children with autism and other issues last year they told me it was too late to organize but thought it was a good idea I contacted them in January and they assured me they would discuss a disappointed to hear the ads for the parade and no mention of it it doesn't affect me or my family thankfully but I'm sure plenty of families don't go to the parade for this reason it works in other towns Sligo has been doing it for a few years now so presumably in part my ignorance is this a case whereby there's a section of the streets maybe the lower main street or wherever it might be in a town and everything goes silent the music goes silent the bands go silent is this the norm elsewhere is this listener rightly says they say it is so I've no reason to doubt that and is there a big appetite forward in our towns around this region let me know 08, 60, 25,000 so it would be a a section of the parade where things fall silent I presume that's the the suggestion they're making so that parents and guardians of children with autism and other issues can attend would there be is there a huge appetite forward that out there let me know 08, 60, 24,000 08, 24,000 we've lost 1,000 08, 60, 25,000 the last few weeks there have been a lot of long wheelbase vans parked along letterkenny main street and at the bottom of church lane on double yellows making it impossible for a fire brigade or ambulance to get passed on the road down the side of some businesses there blocking emergency vehicles too there's no problem until something needed until something needing an emergency response happens that's a concerned listener there Hi Greg being as our sister Kathleen's a dedicated listener of your program please wish her a very happy birthday from our fan and brother and sisters her fan and brothers and sisters Gormeha Mahigat Kathleen a dedicated listener thank you very much indeed a very happy birthday to you from your brothers and sisters but also from us all here at Highland radio we hope you have a lovely day and you're very well treated what does Ireland's future look like at ESB we invest over 1 billion euro every year to ensure it's a future powered by clean affordable energy that's 1 billion euro to fund projects that will move Ireland towards energy independence harnessing our natural resources to bring clean renewable electricity into more areas of our lives so that we can enjoy a reliable supply of home-grown energy long into the future ESB invested in Ireland find out more at ESB Darahi house to home bridge end Donegal our modest front door opens onto two floors of Irish made furniture suites beds mattresses dining and occasional furniture step into our showroom and see how we can transform your house into a home house to home furniture flooring slide robes and interiors bridge end Donegal do you suffer from high cholesterol menopause symptoms digestive issues anxiety aches and pains or a lack of energy the highly trained team at the natural way letter candy 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 candy shopping center your one stop health shop get ready for the all new polls venue with state of the art sound and light and all new decor reopening Saturday 18th of March with the whistling donkeys Tickets on sale now see polls letter Kenny on Facebook for updates this week's nine till noon show was brought to you by St Mary's GA convoy club development draw win 50,000 for 50 euro draw takes place 17th of March get your ticket now at St Mary's GA draw.ie Highland radio weather updates with Ireland west airport fly dilly to london Haidtzer with their lingus and connect to 80 plus destinations worldwide including Boston and New York Ireland west airport don't just take off take it easy OK let's have a look at that weather then further showers of rain hail and snow through the morning in the afternoon highs of just four to seven degrees with an added wind chill moderate to fresh and gusty northwest winds frost and ice will setting quickly after dark under clear sky and easing winds cold temperatures minus three to plus zero degrees but temperatures begin I believe to pick up later on tomorrow now I read the article on the front of the Irish Daily Mail this morning more than 1200 people under the age of 65 are living in nursing homes and can't leave with advocacy groups saying they are being held in custody due to the housing crisis and Griffin is regional advocate with sage advocacy for the northwest and it's shocking language it's a motive language and I would imagine that's by accident rather than design so people sit up and take note of what's being said and yes I suppose twelve four hundred people nationally living in nursing home care and nursing homes really should be the last resort but sometimes it's the only option for a person and then they have no choice as to where they live they lose all access to family life they're living with older people not in a suitable environment in terms of activities and engagements and the diseases like motor neuron Parkinson's and multiple sclerosis these are lifelong illnesses and the planning should take place much earlier in terms of accommodation and facilities to support those individuals in a community setting in an ordinary neighbourhood nursing home care is excellent in terms of the physical well-being but for a person a younger person under the age of 65 they need more interventions they need physio they need engagements to stimulate they need access to family and this is denied in terms of the nursing home care because the nursing home environment is set up to support an older person a younger person requires ongoing assessment in terms of what they require to be supported to live an independent life and we need funding to match the care needs of the individual but I suppose the requirement comes in in terms of suit of access to suitable accommodation in community settings and we only have the national rehab unit in Dunleary so if a person under the age of 65 is maybe following a farm accident or a road traffic accident or a quite brain injury of course we also have the early onset dementia from the Kostikov syndrome and those that individual if they require support from the national rehab they then they're invariably discharged back into nursing home care and carers in nursing homes are trained to care for older people but the care care needs of a younger person are quite different and they need to be simulated for sure and this is about their personal development as well and what is lost in that and this is and you quite rightly point out this is not a criticism of nursing homes they provide a wonderful service for a certain group of people but that service is not tailored for the this other group of people groups of people that we're talking of and this is not a 2023 problem or a 2022 problem I've been speaking to and particularly when you mentioned people who have suffered a brain injury I've been speaking to advocates on this issue and this problem for years and years and years so there are people that are living and have been living very long term in a nursing home when they'd be far better off in the types of environments you've described absolutely and it really is about forward thinking and planning and planning should be in place at a much earlier stage where you have the ongoing life illnesses but then once you have an acquired injury that then can prevent an individual returning home to their own area neighborhood it can present a person moving back to their own home that then has an impact on family life and particularly on children and where that parent is missing out on parenting their child so the the planning needs to come in at a much earlier stage and we need to consider more than the physical well-being of the individual there are and what we are what we are doing here is we're choosing the path of least resistance here it's handy you know what I mean it is a space for someone that but it's not the right thing to do this is not focused on the person it's not person focused it's not it's not what can we do for Greg in his situation it's what will what will do rightly for Greg you know what I mean without consideration for you know my development my life my rehabilitation as well because some of what we're talking about you know there are you know rehabilitation options you know and what have you give people the best level of independence or whatever it might be that's obviously not happening how it should in a nursing home environment I presume absolutely and there will be people listening to us this morning Greg who may be in those circumstances and but the ability to self-determine and the fact that your independence is taken away because you technically have to accept what is on offer and that then impacts on your social inclusion it impacts on the family life it impacts on relationships and everything is I suppose in in terms of support we need to consider what happens if you leave the rehab unit where do you go next what are the supports in the community like physio and ongoing therapies that are required to support those individuals and then we want to talk about quality of life talk about engagement with their peers relationships social inclusion all of that is lost in many ways because of the lack of choice Yeah and it puts me in mind of a case we covered on this program some time ago of a person who effectively ended up being a long-term resident of the acute hospital because there was nowhere for them to go and I believe they were moved then out of the hospital to a nursing home it would make you wonder you know is that person still there is that the right thing for them I'm not talking about any individual cases but this is probably happening really quite regularly and we know the number at the moment is is 1200 which is not a mountain we shouldn't be able to climb in providing proper services for these people in the right places if there is a will Anne it shouldn't be beyond us No it should not be beyond us and you know you can see where in care settings where they have recently decongregated and some of those residents are now living independently in communities for the first time so it can be done but there is a requirement for funding to support the care needs and the ongoing assessment of these individuals because they're missing out in terms of where they're at in terms of their own development they're missing out on education they're missing out on an opportunity to live a normal life they're missing out on an opportunity to have a job to be independent and you can talk about independence in terms of support for their disability but you're also talking about travel how they get from A to B then you're talking about access to accommodation in the community what types of accommodation what type of accommodation is built to support the individual's care needs and you cannot say that any one service fits the bill for everybody every person has should have the right to be assessed in relation to their care needs and to be supported to live as an individual and an independent life as much as you can possibly be yeah and I don't think I don't think there's anyone I don't think there's anyone listening to this program that would like to think they're fellow people or some of them feel like they're being held in custody because the props facilities aren't available for them so we just need really I suppose the powers to be to exercise the will of the people that would be the right thing to do well we we certainly need more support for those individuals who find themselves in those circumstances because we find that for the older people in nursing home care we have the manager for the services for older people in the various CHO areas and then you have I suppose if you look at the national picture the funding is not matched county to county but we are saying that the funding needs to match the individual's care needs we need to accommodation needs to match their care needs and while nursing homes provide excellent services for older people the staff there are not trained to provide a service to a person with an acquired brain injury say for example and then you find that there is a lot of frustration and of course the other side is that it may not be fair on the older person to have individuals under the age of 65 living in their nursing home because of their care needs do not match the care needs of the older person and you could be talking about you know music or noise or activities all of those things that are set up for the older person they technically don't meet the needs of a younger person yeah for sure and listen thank you so much for explaining that so clearly to us we really do appreciate your time this morning and Griffin Regional Advocate with Sage Advocacy for the Northwest okay we're heading towards the end of the program let me tell you that our show sponsors of course are St Mary's GEA convoy and their development draw they are raising funds for the ongoing development of their facilities there's 50k to win on St Patrick's Day 50k for St Patrick's Day it's their draw and you can get tickets by going to St Mary's GEA convoy development draw their social media website etc we asked you today to be in with a chance of winning two tickets into that draw the question was in the famous All Ireland song in 2012 Jimmy's winning what? Is it Jimmy's winning matches? Or is it Jimmy's winning footballs? We insulted you with that in question but the answer was of course matches and the winner of two tickets into that draw and fingers crossed you are successful I had the winner and now I've lost the winner have it again quite correctly Kathleen Gallagher from from Letcher Kenny correctly answered matches and wins two tickets I hope you win the 50k for St Patrick's Day and we'll have another two tickets to give away tomorrow and in the meantime if you want to support that club and be in with a chance of winning as I say search out their social media and elsewhere for your chance to buy those tickets alright that is where we have to leave it on the show today thank you to all of you who listened to the program took part in the program watched it however you engaged with us it's really appreciated we're back with you tomorrow morning Wednesday we'll announce the winner of our Irish Music Month search for a local musical talent hero competition we've got businesses with Kieran and so much more besides so rejoin us at nine but don't go anywhere today because John Breslin is coming up after the news around the Northwest