Calls have been made in Clare for the practice of church gate collections for political parties to end
The motion which was passed by Clare County Council at this months meeting will now be forwarded to the general secretaries of each political party
While there was cross party support for the action for the practice to come to an end Ennis Fianna Fail Cllr Brian Meaney opposed the motion
On Monday’s Morning Focus John Cooke was joined in studio by Kilmaley Fine Gael Councillor Tony Mulqueen- who proposed the motion and Fianna Fail Councillor Brian Meaney to discuss the issue
Parish Priest of St Senan’s in Shannon Fr Tom Ryan also had a word
In 2011 they asked people for submissions with regard to formulating a policy on church gate
They conducted a lot of research into how the parishioners felt about church gate collections – they arrived at the conclusion that most parishioners were happy if the collection was for a community or charitable cause
But there was unanimous disproval of church gate collections by political parties.
The union representing Irish Nurses and Midwives says the health budget cuts, on top of those implemented in recent years, will compromise patient care
The INMO is calling on the Government to explain why it ignored revenue raising public health measures, including a tax on sugary drinks
Liam Doran, INMO General Secretary, spoke with John and says he believes the inevitable outcome of these two contradictory strategies will be a wholly inadequate, and underfunded, health service unable to cope with the demands of a population – while the government refuses to raise revenue from proactive public health initiatives.
Garda Denis Stack of Ennis Garda Station appealed for the public’s assistance with information on a number of crimes committed here in recent days
Contact Ennis Garda Station on 065 6848100.
Saint Anthony’s relics are on public display in Limerick today
The vast Mid-West faithful with a devotion to one of the world’s best-known and adored Saint’s, St. Anthony of Padua, will have a special opportunity to celebrate this devotion when his relics are displayed throughout the day at St. St. John’s Cathedral as part of a six-location nationwide tour of Ireland
Bishop Brendan Leahy of the Diocese of Limerick spoke with John about the significance of the visit
Dr Leahy ordained Bishop earlier this year- he is a Professor of Theology at Maynooth.
Ballyvaughan based Emmy Winning Writer and Film maker Alan Cooke joined John in studio to speak about his audio book launching this week
‘The Spirit of Ireland an Odyssey Home’ is a non fiction memoir – the launch is taking place in Earth Air Fire and Water, Ballyvaughan this Thursday at 8pm
See www.wildirishpoet.com for more details.
John Murphy of the Clare branch of Birdwatch Ireland joined John in studio to answer listeners’ bird and wildlife queries. For more information see www.clarebirdwatching.com
If you have a story for Morning Focus email Focus@clare.fm
