Morning Focus Tuesday February 19

On Tuesday’s Morning Focus John Cooke spoke with Jan O’Sullivan TD, Minister of State for Housing and Planning after it was reported yesterday that Government is to introduce measures to crack down on neighbours from hell and penalise landlords who fail to act

The laws will make it easier for homeowners and residents’ groups to register complaints without fear of intimidation
Taoiseach Enda Kenny is expected to offer an apology to Magdalene survivors in the course of a Dáil debate on the McAleese Report this evening  – following criticism in recent weeks for his response  in the aftermath of the report’s publication

As Magdalene survivors gather at Dail Eireann to hear what he has to say this evening, one woman from Ballina-Killaloe will be among them
Margaret Joyce spent over 5 years in the laundry run by the Good Shepard Sisters on Clare Street in Limerick, entering the convent in the 1940’s – she spoke with John before travelling up to Dail Eireann.

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A 24/7 Alliance demonstration took place in Dublin yesterday
The Frontline Services Alliance represents nurses, prison officers and Gardai organised tonight’s rally at Tallaght Stadium in Dublin with members from across the country – including Clare attended
The Alliance believes the planned 1 billion euro in cuts to overtime and premium payments -being proposed by government will hit
them disproportionately
Cutting overtime and premium payments would hit employees who work 24/7 rosters particularly hard, as they account for a significant part of their earnings – as John Parker, President of the Garda Representative Association explained.

The Money Doctor John Lowe joined John for his regular personal finance advice slot
Today he spoke about money worries being pinpointed as major cause of marriage friction
Also, in a survey published by the National Consumer Associationin recent weeks it was found that the price of basic groceries rose by 12pc in two years
See www.themoneydoctor.ie

Ennistymon couple Neilus and Pat O’Doherty set up an NGO called ‘Pemba Support’  after travelling to the island with Voluntary Service Overseas five years ago
They bring 12 volunteers to Pemba Island, Tanzania each year
On Sunday gunmen in Zanxibar shot dead a Catholic priest Fr Evarist Mushi outside his church – the second such attack on the Muslim-majority island in recent months
Neilus joined John in studio – he had met Fr Mushi many times on his trips to Tanzania
As did Cait NiLoinsigh from Quilty, a Pemba Support Volunteer
Cait met Fr Mushi twice when she was in Pemba for three months volunteering with the charity last year 
Cait works at the Clarecare Miltown Malbay day care for elderly people – they said special prayers for Fr Mushi yesterday. 

Frankie Coote, Clare ISPCA Warden, joined John in studio
Frankie was in Bansha yesterday morning as two bull dogs were in the school yard – so he urged animal owners to keep their pets restrained
Also he said that the level of emigration has lead to a lot of animals being brought to the shelter
Contact Clare ISPCA Shelter on 065 6820393.

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