MORNING FOCUS WEDNESDAY 1ST OCTOBER
At a joint press conference in Dublin this morning (Tuesday 30 September 2014), Survivors of Symphysiotomy and the Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) rejected Minister Varadkar’s proposed ex gratia scheme for survivors of symphysiotomy.The unanimous rejection of the scheme was the result of a ballot held by Survivors of Symphysiotomy at Extraordinary General Meetings in Cork and Dublin over the weekend (27 and 28 September 2014). The scheme, which was presented to Survivors of Symphysiotomy earlier this month by Minister for Health, Dr Leo Varadkar TD, proposes a baseline payment of €50,000 for survivors who can provide proof of surgery, with higher payments for those who can show they suffer from a complex array of injuries that were caused directly by symphysiotomy.Ellen Moore from Ballyvaughan who isa Symphysiotomy survivor and Executive committee member Survivors of Symphysiotomy and Marie O’Connor Chairperson Survivors of Symphysiotomy joined Marian to discuss their decision.
Irish Water customers will have their metered charges capped at an assessed rate for the first nine months, according to the Commission for Energy Regulation.Irish Water had proposed that everyone would have their bills capped at the assessed rate for the first six months of charging, meaning any use above that level will be free. Those who come under that level will be entitled to a rebate. However, the CER has extended this period to nine months, or the first three billing periods, to allow people get to grips with water metering and how their usage will affect their bills. Cathy Mannion Director Water Commission for Energy Regulation spoke to Marian to try and answers listeners questions.
Gluten-free foods cost far more than standard foods, and many people are buying them without first seeking medical advice, even though self-diagnosis can be dangerous and pricey. Avoiding certain foods can be expensive. Allergies, food intolerance and coeliac disease – a severe reaction to gluten – can add hundreds, if not thousands, to the annual shopping bill.Emma Clarke Conway. Dietician and Coeliac Society of Ireland spoke with Marian.
Thirty-five years ago, in the pre-dawn darkness of Saturday, September 29, 1979, the biggest mass movement ever seen in Ireland began with the low murmur of the first arrivals on the approaches to the Phoenix Park. Scattered voices broke the night, engines hummed and car doors slammed. Only official vehicles were allowed inside the tight Garda cordon mounted at the two canals in preparation for the Papal visit of John Paul II. Padraig O’Reily. Photographer with Shannon Images limited and who took some of the most iconic photos of the pope’s vist and Fr Tom Ryan.
Parish Priest Shannon. Fr Ryan met the Pope as a student in Maynooth during papal visit remembered the famous occasion with Marian.
Larry Brennan and Nuala Kennedy and of the Clare roots society joined Marian to talk about Nualas new book Times Past New Beginning a historical book on Summerhill and Ennis.
And finally John Underhill of Burren Vets was in studio to answer listeners' livestock and pet queries.
