Trade unions will today formally reject the Croke Park 2 deal at a meeting of the public services committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions
On Wednesday’s Morning Focus John Cooke spoke with Sean McMahon, INTO Vice President and Jimmy Kelly, Regional Secretary of UNITE
According to UNITE’s Regional Secretary the vote shows that these proposals are bad for workers, bad for the economy and the country
The Government decided not to oppose a Bill which will allow symphysiotomy survivors to seek compensation
The discredited practice was carried out on women prior to or during childbirth – and involved cutting through the pelvic bone to ease child birth
It left women with serious health complications – and in chronic pain
The Bill is being proposed by Sinn Féin’s Health Spokesman Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin – he says it’s a ‘step towards justice and truth for the survivors of the barbaric act’
Marie O’Connor, Chairperson of Survivors of Symphysiotomy SoS
Symphysiotomy survivor Ellen Moore in Ballyvaughan gave her reaction to events in Dublin yesterday
Survivors are calling for the "speedy enactment" of legislation which would allow them seek compensation
If you would like to get in touch with Survivors of Symphysiotomy see www.sos-symphysiotomy.com
The Commission for the Economic Development of Rural Areas (CEDRA) was set up to examine the issues affecting rural Ireland
There’s a meeting taking place in Scarriff GAA Hall this evening at 7.15pm it aims to identify job creation opportunities
There is higher unemployment in East Clare than there is in any other part of the county – unemployment there has increased by 272%, or 662, people between 2006 and 2011
Prof Cathal O’Donoghue, Head of the Rural Economy Development Programme at Teagasc, encouraged people to attend.
Author of ‘Fertility in Mind- How to Succeed with IVF’ Helena Tubridy joined John to speak about her latest book
Helena has a background in nursing and midwifery and is a clinical hypnotherapista and fertility expert
See www.helenatubridy.com
Sharon Maguire from Kilkee is organising a charity walk taking place this Sunday in memory of her mother Mary Maguire who passed away from Motor Neurone Disease in December 2011
Mary was only 50 years of age when she died and was confined to a wheelchair for her last five years
Sharon is determined to raise funds for the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association (IMNDA) who gave her mother tremendous support – she joined John in studio to tell her story
The 13K walk departs from Kilkee Square at 2pm and finishes in Kilrush – registration this Saturday 12-2pm in Myles Creek, Kilkee and 2.30-3.30pm in Crotty’s Bar, Kilrush or at Kilrkee Square at 1pm on Sunday.
More information on Motor Neurone Disease on www.imnda.ie
Ennis businessman and musician Michael Regan has reached the final of Glór Tíre on TG4, which takes place this evening
The popular singer is just back from Scotland where he spent the weekend performing with a number of other Irish musicians
He’s gearing up for the final and he spoke with John to urge all his many supporters to continue voting for him- voting finishes at 12 noon today.
Vote for Michael by calling 1513 415101 or text ‘Glor 1’ to 53307 before 12 noon today.
Paul Wolfe of Clare Citizens’ Information Service joined John in studio to answer listeners’ queries.
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