On Thursday's Morning Focus with John Cooke
The Diocese of Killaloe is advocating a NO vote in the forthcoming same sex marriage referendum. In a pastoral letter titled The Meaning of Marriage, they say that re-defining marriage would "undermine it as the fundamental building block of our society." The letter also re-affirms the Church's view that marriage should be between a man and woman, from whom it says "the generation and upbringing of children is uniquely possible." Killaloe Diocesan spokesman Fr. Brendan Quinlivan joined John in studio this morning and stressed his view that people should inform themselves about the arguments of both sides before they vote on May 22nd. However, he also called for people to reject the constitutional amendment. In addition he admits that he fears some of the arguments from the NO side of the campaign could be hurtful to gay people,
Niall Shanahan Communications Officer with IMPACT trade union joined us next while The Health and Civil Service sectors of Impact trade union are holding their annual conference at Treacy’s West County Hotel this week – Primary Motions looking at pay restoration, job security and the threat of privatisation in the community and voluntary sector. They will also look at the cost borne by childcare workers to complete their training to degree level, while the work still barely pays the minimum wage and the rise of the use of zero-hours contracts in the disabilities and childcare sectors.
Voting gets under way today in the UK Election – A senior Conservative MP says Ireland has nothing to fear from a British referendum on its EU membership. The possibility of a 'Brexit' has been one of the big issues for voters across the UK ahead of today's tightly-contested General Election – and has been identified by the Irish government as one of the biggest risks facing the economy. Prime Minister David Cameron says if he's returned to power, he'll allow Britons have their say on whether the country should leave the EU – while his main challenger Ed Miliband says he'd take the threat of an exit off the table. James Kirkup The Telegraph's Executive Political Editor joined us with more on this and some election predictions.
In our Morning Focus Health Matters slot we speak with Dr Maire Finn from the Ennis Family Medical Centre who today shared medical advice on Asthma. Doctor Maire Finn will be joining us again next Thursday for more medical advice. You can always send us your thoughts and queries by email [email protected], but if you have concerns or queries about your own health right now please contact your local GP
As you've been hearing in our news, the Health Minister was in Ennis this morning. Leo Varadkar is addressing the annual conference of the Health and Civil Service sectors of Impact trade union at Treacy's West County Hotel, while later this afternoon he's also scheduled to visit Ennis General Hospital. This morning Minister Leo Varadkar spoke with media outside of IMPACT's conference, including Clare FM's Gavin Grace. The Minister began by outlining his message to the union today.
Next, we marked the 100th Anniversary of the sinking of the Lusitania – The ship, which was en route to Liverpool, sank off the Old Head of Kinsale, with the loss of 1,198 lives, when it was struck by a torpedo. John Treacy Miltown Malbay Historian, told us a little more about what happened on that fatal day a century ago, also naming 5 Clare people known to have lost their lives in this tradegy. PJ Murrihy Singer Songwriter from Mullagh also joined us to share his song about a woman from Mullagh who survived the voyage returned safely back to Mullagh. “Lusitania Survivor – Jane Hogan”
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