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Sinn Fein and Morgan Fuels

You will remember the name Hugh Morgan as the man who revealed during the presidential campaign that Seán Gallagher had invited him to a €5,000 a head FF fund-raising dinner. As the figures are published on what the presidential candidates spent on their campaigns, it now emerges that Sinn Féin paid money to Hugh Morgan as part of Martin Mc Guinness’s campaign costs.
Fionnán Sheahan of the Irish Independent joined Pat.

Vice President of China Visit to Ireland

World leaders appear to be on a mission to do more business with the Chinese these days – no surprise really given the size of the Chinese economy. The Vice President of China Xi Jinping arrived in the U.S. yesterday for talks with President Obama and on Saturday he arrives here as a guest of Taoiseach Enda Kenny before moving on to turkey.

On the line was Clifford Coonan, China correspondent of the Irish Times.

Grass Cutting

At a time of ongoing austerity there has been criticism of a number of contracts which were put out to tender yesterday - the tenders include grass cutting for the army, advice on a Dail TV channel and a coastal helicopter survey of seals.
Brian Hayes – Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure was on the line.

UN/Syria

According to Reuters Syria is to hold a referendum on new constitution on February 26th. But will it make a difference?

Earlier this month Russia and China joined forces in a double veto of a UN Security Council resolution on Syria and were deplored internationally for their stances. But they are not alone in political self-interest. It’s time to end abuse of veto by big powers at UN says Dr Aidan Hehir, Director of the Security and International Relations programme at the University of Westminster and he joined Pat on the line.

Fishing

While the ban on drift netting of salmon fishing in Ireland in 2007 has led in some areas to an increase in tourist revenue from those wishing to visit here to fish our rivers and streams, for some coastal fisherman the ban has led to a decline in their livelihood.

For many centuries, the fishermen off the coast and islands in the Erris region of County Mayo have relied on the sea for a living. That living is now increasingly under threat as more and more inshore fisherman turn to lobster and crab fishing, and the prices they get for their catches remain low. Brian O’Connell spent a day out fishing in Erris and speaking with those finding it harder to make a living.

What Doesn’t Kill Us – The New Psychology of Posttraumatic Growth

by Professor Stephen Joseph (Piatkus)

We are all familiar with the words of Nietzsche: What doesn’t kill me makes me stronger – but when it comes to the psychology of trauma, how true is that statement? When we are attacked, or exposed to the horrors of war, or when we experience trauma in our personal lives through death or serious illness, can we somehow take on that trauma and grow? Well for the past twenty years, Professor Stephen Joseph has been studying trauma and the fruits of his labour are in his new book ‘What Doesn’t Kill Us – the new psychology of posttraumatic growth’. And Stephen Joseph joined Pat from London.

Calories on Menus

Earlier this month Health Minister Reilly announced public consultation on listing calories on menus in Irish restaurants and food outlets. We know the health reasons – two out of every three Irish men and over half of all women are either overweight or obese. One in five children aged 5 – 12 are overweight. Calorie listing in the US has been introduced in several states and is coming on stream in the UK in fast food outlets.

So what has been the Irish reaction so far, and would you change your food choices when eating out if calories were listed? Food and farming journalist Suzanne Campbell has canvassed opinion and joined us to tease out the issues.

The Wiyos

Formed in New York City during the summer of 2002, The Wiyos took their name from the toughest gang to prowl the streets of old New York (The Why’os, circa 1890). They have spent eight years touring extensively in the USA, Canada, France, The Netherlands and The United Kingdom. They appeal to everyone from young hipsters to seasoned music Connoisseurs – When we had them on a few years back they were a three piece crammed into the studio here with me. Well now they were a five piece and they’re over in Studio 8.