Morning Focus heard about a second meeting of Cabinet to decide on making an appeal against the Apple tax decision.
Members of the Independent Alliance, alliance, ended their meeting last evening (Thurs. Sept. 1) without making a final decision on supporting an appeal.
But it's understood the alliance is moving towards accepting plans for an appeal, in exchange for a recall of the Dáil to debate the issue.
Gavin got an expert update from Fíachra Ó Cionnaith, Political correspondent Irish Examiner
Ahead of the Budget, one of Ireland's largest trade unions is calling for the preferential 9% VAT rate to be withdrawn from the hospitality sector. SIPTU claim the benefits of the reduced rate aren't being passed on to employees in the sector, where low rates of pay prevail. While organisations like the Restaurants Association say the VAT rate has enabled hundreds of new jobs to be created, SIPTU argues that these are largely temporary roles involving zero-hours contracts. The issue was debated by Ethel Buckley, SIPTU Services Division Organiser, and Aidan McGrath, The Wild Honey Inn, Lisdoonvarna and regional member of the Restaurants Association
If you, or someone you know is going to Electric Picnic this weekend, you might be able to do a good deed while you're at it. If you're camping, there's a Clare woman who'll be accepting donations of tents and equipment to support refugees and migrants in camps overseas. Gavin got more detail from Roisín Ní Garbhaith.
Siobhan Mulcahy, Clare County Arts Officer, updated listeners on weekend arts events.
The Friday Panel were Gabriella Hanrahan, UL; Ronan Judge, The Clare People, and Manuel Di Lucia, Businessman, Kilkee. Topics discussed were the Apple tax ruling- Should Ireland appeal and have we already suffered damage to our international reputation? The condition of Clare's roads – hedge cutting and maintenance; and memories of your first day at school
The round-up of weekend events heard about the Dan Furey Dancing Weekend in Labasheeda and the Scarriff Show.
If you're someone who works out, you might be familiar with the use of foam rollers for kneading out tight muscles. Now, a Shannon company has developed this technology to produce the 'Back Baller' designed to help issues with the back and other muscle groups. Noel Marshall is the man launching the 'baller' tonight (Friday, Sept. 2) with the help of sports legend Sonia O'Sullivan. He joined Gavin live in studio.
