Kerry Today

Ireland’s representative Emmy will take to the stage tomorrow night in Switzerland in the second semifinal. Is it possible she can make it to the final on Saturday night?  Jerry spoke to Seamus O’Neill, co-host of the ‘I’m Sorry Zero Points’ Eurovision podcast. He’s attending his ninth Eurovision competition final.

Michael Healy-Rae, who’s Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture with responsibility for forestry, says trees should be planted on peatlands. Sinn Féin’s spokesperson for climate, the environment and energy Pa Daly says such proposals are ill-conceived and irresponsible.

At the start of the interview, Minister of State Healy-Rae paid tribute to Joe Quinn, who died in a farm accident in Tahilla this week. Deputy Daly also offered his condolences to Mr Quinn’s family.

This morning’s EPA report revealed that 40% of inspections carried out by Kerry County Council on septic tanks failed last year. However, Kerry performed better than the national average – 56% failed to meet the required standard. Jerry spoke to Noel Byrne, programme manager with the Environmental Protection Agency.

Every Wednesday, Tony gives his perspective on listeners’ dilemmas.

The Humanity Ball, a prestigious black-tie New Year’s Eve charity gala ball will take place in Tralee’s Ballygarry Estate Hotel & Spa on New Year’s Eve. The Kerry Hospice Foundation will be the main beneficiary of the event along with Tír na nÓg Children’s Foundation and One for Humanity. The Humanity Ball is spearheaded by chairperson Stephen Stack and a committee comprising people from the world of business in Kerry including Sean Ryan, Maeve Townsend, Ogie Moran, Dick Spring, Keelin Kissane, Alex O’Donnell and Killian Burns. Jerry spoke to Tralee Chamber Alliance President, Stephen Stack. https://humanityball.ie/

Jerry spoke to Solene Schirrer of VOICE Ireland which, since 2023, has organised an annual national recycling bin survey. VOICE Ireland says the findings of such surveys may help in reducing costs for households and helping to change policy. VOICE Ireland believes particular retail sectors could be making a greater financial contribution to the cost of recycling. To take part: https://www.voiceireland.org/news/the-national-recycling-bin-survey-is-back---and-we-need-your-help-to-make-real-change

Jerry spoke to Fine Gael councillor Michael Foley about Friends of the Irish Environment’s legal action to quash An Bord Pleanála’s decision to grant Shannon LNG planning permission for a power plant on the Tarbert Ballylongford landbank.

Jerry spoke to Mark Keane who’s president of the Permanent Defence Forces Other Ranks Association (PDFORRA). Its annual delegate conference opened today in the INEC Gleneagle, Killarney.

The Vintners Federation of Ireland (VFI) is calling for a 40% rebate on the excise charged to draught products sold in pubs. Jerry spoke to Michael O’Donovan who’s president of the Vintners’ Federation of Ireland.