The government yesterday signed off on a package worth more than 300 million euro aimed at re-opening the schools next month. The plan involves investment for schools to physically adapt and purchase cleaning equipment, as well as more substitute teachers. On today's show Damien gets reaction from a number of Waterford parents, as well as principal of Blackwater Community School in Lismore Denis Ring, and ASTI deputy general secretary Diarmuid De Paor (Part 2).
Damien also hears from Sinead Flynn Fogarty, whose wife Siobhan recently became a legal parent of their son Sonny, who turns 2 in August. Thanks to the enactment of Parts 2 and 3 of the Children and Family Relationships Act (CFRA) 2015 on May 5th 2020, applications for declaration of parentage can be made in the courts. Sinead tells Damien how significant this is for same sex couples in the South East.
Also on the show Damien speaks to inspirational speaker and coach Shane O Sullivan about resilience.
Damien also discusses the issue of illegally fished lobsters. Dr Susan Steele, chair of the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority tells Damien how a member of their team seized 86 illegally caught lobsters from a recreational fisherman in the South East. The team of SFPA Sea-Fisheries Protection Officers from Dunmore East also detained a lorry in Rosslare destined for Spain with approximately 6000 lobsters on board, including almost 700 illegally caught lobster. All lobster were returned alive to the sea and the SFPA is preparing a file for the DPP.
And Professor Jack Lambert, infectious disease expert, talks about Hepatitis C the first curable chronic viral infection in medical history, yet 71 million people are living with the virus globally, with about 1.75 million new infections every year.
