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The mid-morning current affairs magazine with the stories of the day, sharp analysis, in-depth features and consumer interest, presented by Myles Dungan.

by Richard Mabey (Profile Books)

It governs our moods, the clothes we wear, the things we do and discussing it has been described as a national past time. Rather than ask how someone is we tend to open conversations with a reference to the weather. So why are we obsessed with the weather? Is the Irish weather an extreme climate and will there be any improvement in the future?

Joining Myles in studio to answer these questions and talk to us about everything from dissolving trees to thunderballs was Richard Mabey, acclaimed nature writer and author of several bestselling books to discuss his latest book Turned Out Nice Again – On Living with the Weather.

The Garda Commissioner has poured scorn on a walkout by a small number of sergeants and inspectors during a speech by Alan Shatter on Monday and Martin Callinan himself yesterday.

Both protests took place at the annual conference of the AGSI taking place currently in Sligo.

Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan spoke on Morning Ireland on the issue of the walkout by those four Garda Sergeants at the conference yesterday..

He also criticised comments by members of the AGSI that the outcome of the incident which led to the death of Detective Adrian Donoghue could have been different if he was armed with an Uzi submachine gun.

Myles was joined on the line by John Redmond, General Secretary of the AGSI.

It’s 10 years this month since the United States led invasion of Iraq in Operation Iraqi Freedom – and a war from which the US still can’t extricate itself. The invasion led to the toppling of Saddam Hussein, but at what cost?

So will it be another ten years? Myles was joined by Irish Times Security Analyst, Dr. Tom Clonan.

Snow is affecting motorists in a number of areas throughout the country this morning, particularly in parts of Leinster. In general, traffic is very slow on all roads and motorists are being urged to slow down and keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front. Myles spoke with Arwen Foley of the AA Roadwatch.

It’s still unseasonably cold out there, with snow and ice in many parts of the country. In some parts of Northern Ireland, the snow drifts along the roads are over 12 ft high and farm sheds have collapsed under the weight of the snow. The government there is being very supportive, with search and rescue operations underway for livestock missing in remote areas, and today the Irish government has also pledged support in the form of an Irish Army Helicopter, which is on standby to help if necessary.

And to tell us more about the situation in the North Myles spoke with Barclay Bell, the Deputy President of the Ulster Farmers’ Union.

Derek Scally, Irish Times

The mid-morning current affairs magazine with the stories of the day, sharp analysis, in-depth features and consumer interest presented by Myles Dungan.

Eamon Dunphy.