Wednesday, 25th August 2010

Motor Tax

Mention motoring, motor taxes and the Green Party in the one sentence and usually drivers start to fume. Yesterday users of commercial vehicles, 4X4’s and vans were put on notice by the Department of the Environment that if the vehicle is used in any private capacity and it must be taxed at the more expensive private rate.

The warning was apparently prompted by a big surge in the number of vans and 4x4’s being reclassified from private to commercial which could mean savings to drivers of up to €900 a year.

One e-mail we received from a listener sums up the pain of many motorists who feel that Green Party leader John Gormley’s zeal will drive hard pressed plumbers, farmers and small business people off the road….

Pat was joined by Sean McCarthaigh of the Irish Examiner.

Codeine

Valerie Cox went to a number of pharmacies to test out the new codeine restriction regulations

Money Stories

Pat was joined by Brendan Burgess for his weekly look at people's money stories.

A few weeks ago, we spoke on the programme to Kate who was wondering if now is a good time to trade up. As a result of that programme we were contacted by Erica who is asking if now is a good time to trade down. Erica is a teacher who wants to retire early, but has got a huge mortgage to contend with, and two children in College – one for whom she has to pay accommodation costs.

You can contact todaypk@rte.ie or contact Brendan directly at brendan@askaboutmoney.com

An independent production brought to you by Clockwork

Renegades: Irish Republican Women 1900-1922

Author: Ann Matthews
Published By: Mercier Press

The history of the Irish republican movement is dominated by the story of the men who took up arms in Ireland’s fight for freedom against the British. The names of men like Pearse, Connolly, Collins and Barry still resonate today as heroes who won independence for Ireland. However, the critical role of women in this fight for freedom has often been overlooked. In her new book, Renegades, Ann Matthews examines the part played by women in the major political and social revolutions that took place from 1900-1922, including the often ignored ‘war on women’, which manifested itself in the form of physical and sexual assaults by both sides during the War of Independence. In doing so, the book restores the women of the republican movement to the prominent place they deserve in Irish history.

Author Ann Matthews joined Pat in studio.

Kerry Road Crash

Kevin Hughes from the Kerry man reported from the scene of the Kerry Road crash, where four young people lost their lives