On Tuesday’s Morning Focus John Cooke spoke with Clare Deputies Pat Breen of Fine Gael and Michael McNamara of The Labour Party
They discussed the tape recordings of conversations between two top executives inside Anglo Irish Bank in 2008 – published by the Irish Independent- show that one executive knew that the total cost of bailing out the bank would be higher than they were telling the government at the time.
They also gave their views on cuts to special needs education and the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill.
Eamon Meehan, Kilmaley native and Deputy Director of Trocaire, spoke with John from a refugee camp on the Syria / Lebanon border meeting with families who have been forced to flee the conflict in Syria
Currently, over 1.6m Syrians have fled the country, with a further 4.5m displaced within Syria
The situation is now deteriorating to such a degree that the United Nations has launched its biggest ever appeal for funding
Trocaire is helping to provide emergency relief (food, shelter etc.) as well as psychological support for families who in most cases have arrived into Lebanon having left everything they own behind
With no end in sight to the conflict, the conditions are set to further deteriorate as thousands more continue to pour over the border
For more info see www.trocaire.org or call 1850 408 408.
The Money Doctor John Lowe joined John for his regular slot where he talks about personal finance and gives listeners advice
Today he covered the following topics:
• Bank of Ireland is to hike its current account fees again in a move that is set to be followed by other banks.
• Mortgages – tracker mortgages and increasing demand generally
• The Central Bank is to go ahead with a controversial pilot plan that could see some householders having debts written off
• Pension Board report on Defined Benefit Schemes
• His article in the Sunday Business Post – Bad advice can be good for your pension
The Clare Association Dublin are having their Gathering 2013 event at their AGM in Dublin tomorrow
It will be held in Wynn’s Hotel Lr. Abbey Street Dublin with Mass commencing at 8p.m. and followed by the meeting at 8:45p.m
Liam O’Looney, Inagh native and Chairman, spoke with John and said new members are welcome to come along and they are putting the invitation out to all Clare people who wish to attend
See www.clareassociationdublin.com
Thousands of euro have changed hands at Spancilhill Annual House Fair yesterday
The world famous event has been held for over 300 years in County Clare with people travelling from across the country and further a field in a bid to get a equine bargain
Much of the wheeling and dealing was done by lunchtime yesterday
Clare Fm’s Denise Woods went along to see what bargains were to be had
Clare ISPCA Warden Frankie Coote joined John and reflected on the Spancilhill Horse Fair yesterday
Contact Clare ISPCA Shelter on 065 6820393
Ennis Macra ne Feirme Roisin Rodgers -PRO -and Sarah Kelly – Deputy PRO – also joined John in studio
They are organising a table quiz on Friday in the Grove, Ennis to raise much needed funds for both the Clare ISPCA, the dog pound on the Gort road and Ennis Macra.
If you have a story for Morning Focus email Focus@clare.fm
