Joining Pat for this morning’s Gathering were Caroline Simons, Legal Advisor to the Pro- Life Campaign; Harry McGee of the Irish Times; Ivana Bacik, Labour Senator and John Downing of the Irish Independent.
So has government inactivity on the issue of abortion created the medical ‘grey area’ that appears to exist in situations like the tragic death of Savita Halappanavar? In this morning’s Irish Independent, coloumnist, John Downing identifies the sheer lack of a political stance on abortion as the problem that has beset the issue for generations. Pat was joined by John Downing of the Irish Independent; Labour Senator Ivana Bacik; Billy Kelleher, Fianna Fail TD; Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin, Sinn Fein TD and Michelle Mulkerrin of Fine Gael.
Another Labour Party stalwart took the lonely walk down the steps of Leinster House last night after voting against the controversial Social Welfare Bill. Colm Keavney , the party Chairman joins four other colleagues who had a crisis of conscience and lost the party whip since going into government 21 months ago. Joining Pat was Labour Party MEP Nessa Childers; Labour Party TD, Aodhán Ó Ríordáin and journalist John Downing.
Live stimulating mix of news, interviews, reports and discussion. Today's panel: Conor Pope, Consumer Affairs correspondent, Irish Times. / Peter Brown, Founder, Irish Institute of Financial Training - www.iift.ie/areyoursavingssafe / Mary Hanafin, former F.F. Minister for Education. / John Byrne, social care worker and lecturer, W.I.T. / John Lyons - deputy whip, Labour Party and T.D. Dublin North West. / John Downing, political columnist with the Independent and former deputy govt. press secretary. And R.T.E. Concert Orchestra principal conductor David Brophy joins us lives in studio to tell us about some classic Easter music.
In-depth interviews, human interest stories, consumer and lifestyle news as well as a lively panel discussion on issues of the week and newspaper reviews