On Tuesday's Morning Focus John Cooke spoke to public sector union representatives on proposals for a new public sector pay deal
It is understood that Government employees earning over €185,000 will face a pay cut of 10% under the proposals
Pay cuts would begin at 5.5% for staff earning over €65,000 and rise progressively to the 10% figure
Unions say premium payments for Sundays are to be reduced to time-and-three-quarters. Overtime payments have been preserved at a lower rate

There are calls for the Drugs Unit to be drafted into Ennistymon to deal with what's being described as a growing problem of serious anti social behaviour in the North Clare town
It follows a number of criminal incidents in recent weeks whereby several business premises had their windows smashed in, while the wheels on several parked cars were slashed
Local representatives claim outside elements are distributing drugs to a certain section of young people in the town who are then "running amok" in both Ennistymon and Lahinch, generating fear and intimidation

The Government has set 2016 as the target for ending long-term homelessnes
Minister for Housing and Planning Jan O'Sullivan made the announcement at the launch of the Government's Homelessness Policy Statement at the Custom House in Dublin yesterday

On Friday's Morning Focus John Cooke spoke with Alice Leahy of  TRUST- who has been working with homeless people for decades

We've had lots of reaction to Enda Kenny's emotional apology to Magdalene Laundry survivors in Dail Eireann on Tuesday, with many of you moved by his response to women who had been harmed and stigmatised by a life of hard work away from their families as well as psychological and physical abuse in some cases - through no fault of their own

Gardai are appealing for the public's help following a violent armed raid in Kilkee
A female member of staff was threatened at knife point during the incident at an off- licence in the West Clare town last week
It's lead to calls for greater community involvement in helping to police an increasing number of towns and villages due to the closure of Garda stations and a decreasing number of officers on the ground

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

On Monday's Morning Focus Marian Egan spoke with Clare Deputies Michael McNamara of the Labour Party and Timmy Dooley of Fianna Fail about possible threat to Clare Accessible Transport

It’s reported today the government is drawing up plans to scrap the network nationwide and replace it with a scheme under the control of county councils

On Friday's Morning Focus Marian Egan discussed the report with Seamus Boland, Chief Executive of Irish Rural Link

The development of Aviation Services at Shannon Airport have been given a financial boost
Measures to attract new businesses to the Independent Midwest airport form part of the Finance Bill published by government yesterday afternoon
The legislation, which gives effect to details announced in December's budget will also see the fuel rebate scheme- introduced for hauliers- now extended to coach operators - something that will be warmly welcomed by under pressure tour bus companies in Clare

On Wednesday's Morning Focus John Cooke spoke with local service providers and politicians about a possible fuel rebate for coach operators

PJ Keogh of PK Travel in Shannon is a member of the delegation representing the CTTC –Coach Tourism and Transport Council – who have made a submission to the Finance Minister for a fuel rebate for coach operators similar to one granted to hauliers
PJ said a fuel rebate makes economic sense and may save a lot of businesses as the coach business is in crisis