On Wednesday's edition of Morning Focus with John Cooke
There was an Oireachtas Committee Meeting on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation held yesterday, examining the issue of low pay. Dr. Micheàl Collins, Senior Research Officer with (NERI) Nevin Economic Research Institute, is recommending a phased introduction of the living wage if the Government goes ahead with the plan. The trade union funded Think Tank is calling for Government bodies and local authorities to lead the way in increasing the wages of those on low pay. Meanwhile, ISME (Irish Small and Medium Enterprise Association) are calling for the Minimum wage to be scraped. Dr. Collins and ISME CEO Mark Fielding, shared their views with John. Here, in Ennis, Clare FM’s Cian Kearns went out and about to hear your opinions on wage levels in Ireland.
To mark Eating Disorder Awareness Week this week we spoke to Harriet Parsons, the Services Coordinator with Bodywhys. Bodywhys is a national charity that offers information and support to sufferers and their families. Harriet says the number of calls to their helpline rose by 30% last year. Robin Swan is a member of Bodywhys Crisis Prevention Team and someone who battled with an eating disorder in her teens, Robin shared her story with Morning Focus. Bodywhys helpline – 1890200444
Margaret McCormack , the Information Officer Irish Property Owners Association spoke to us following Irish Water launching a campaign for Landlords and Tenants. Irish Water are reminding both parties to register as early as possible. With the first water bills due to be sent out in a month, landlords say they will be sending on tenant's details. Margaret, shed some light on the issue.
One of the most influential political figures of the 1970's, 80's and 90's Former Progressive Democrats Leader Des O'Malley details his life in politics in "Conduct Unbecoming: A Memoir". Ahead of his appearance at the Ennis Book Club Festival as a panelist at the Sunday Symposium in Glor – the theme of the Symposiun this year is “The Naked Politician”, Des O'Malley spoke to John Cooke about Charlie Haughey, The Troubles and the need for a Thick Skin!
Today marked the launch of this years Clare Garden Festival at the Showgrounds, Ennis, with a Bloom-style Showgarden as the main feature Gary Graham the brains behind the Bloom Garden Show had the honours. Carmen Cronin, Clare Garden Festival Founder and Organiser together with Gary Graham joined John in studio, outlining what we can expect from this years festival in April. More information at www.claregardenfestival.com
And Finally . . . John Underhill of Burren Vets joined us in studio today to tell us about "wobbly" animals and what to watch out for if our animal appears to "wobbly", as it is often an idication of something serious wrong, especially among cattle. John also answered some of your pet queries.
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