E-mail: 3rproductions@tinet.ie

Tape Date: 21st January 1998

The refugee issue continues to be debated, with the setting up last week of the 'Immigration Control Platform'. On this 3R tape we have a response from Trócaire to the launch of that organisation. We have pieces to coincide with Friendship Bracelet Day (Feb.14th), and World Day of the Sick (Feb.11th), as well as St. Brigit's Day. Bishop Eamonn Walsh recently returned from a visit to Rwanda, and he spoke to us about the situation there. Finally, the government was taken to task last week about its record on Children's rights and the Children's Rights Alliance explained to us why.

Crossways: News in the Church and the World. Trócaire and Oxfam Ireland have urged the Irish Government to put human rights considerations into international economic agreements. Developing countries are always on the look-out for new investment. However, Trocaire and Oxfam are concerned that a new Multilateral Agreement on Investment will not allow these countries to regulate foreign investment. Andrew Lawless spoke to Ruth Mayne of Oxfam, UK, and asked her to explain what the Multilateral Agreement on Investment is. The news was read by Alan McGuckian, SJ, and Elaine Comerford.

Time: 5.31

2. UN Convention on Children's Rights: The Irish Government, as a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, is required to submit periodic reports to a UN Committee detailing their implementation of the convention. This monitoring body made several criticisms of the Irish Government's record on Children's Rights. Andrew Lawless spoke to Ann Walshe of the Children's Rights Alliance and asked her about the recent meeting in Geneva and the criticisms.

In: (Shaw)"There were actually ..............going into children's issues." Out: (Shaw)

Time:5.13

3. World Day of the Sick: For the past number of years World Day of the Sick has been observed each year on February 11th, the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. This year there is a particular focus in this country on people with Alzheimer's Dementia and those who care for them. Martin Browne found out more about the condition from Sister Rachel O'Keefe, CCVI. Sr. Rachel, a Sister of Charity of the Incarnate Word, is Administrator of Carrigoran House in County Clare. Carrigoran is one of the few places in the country to have a specialised residential Alzheimer's care unit.

In: (Browne) "We hear more and more..........when they die. " Out:(O'Keefe)

Time:6.01

 4. Battered Men: Recently, a national helpline for male victims of domestic violence was launched. It's called AMEN and one of the key people who helped to set it up is sociologist Dr. Seán Stitt. His startling research on the subject at John Moore's University in Liverpool suggests that there is a growing number of men trapped in violent and abusive relationships. He spoke to Maria O'Loughlin about their plight.

In: (O'Loughlin) "We're very used to hearing ............as well as women " Out:(Stitt)

Time:5.39

5. Friendship Bracelet Day: For the second year running Amnesty International is holding a Friendship Bracelet Day on February 14th. The bracelets are made by street children, and all money raised will help fund Amnesty's work with children whose human rights are being abused. Tommy Roche is the co-ordinator of the project and Elaine Comerford asked him where idea for Friendship Bracelet came from.

In: (Roche) "It came from......................................posters and so on." Out: (Roche)

Time: 3.15

( Anyone interested in selling the bracelets, which cost £1, should contact Tommy Roche 056 62378).

6. ARC Cancer Support Centre: When someone is first diagnosed as having cancer that person experiences a range of emotions. For family and friends this is also a very traumatic time. ARC (which stands for Aftercare Research Counselling) was established to provide support for patients, their families and friends through their journey with cancer. Based at 65 Eccles St., Dublin 7, ARC services are available free of charge to all cancer patients, their families and friends. Barbara Cosgrave, Administrator/Director of ARC talked to Marie Stuart, RSM, about the support people with cancer need and the aims of ARC.

In:(Stuart)"Up to 18,000 people ............... friend and a listening ear" Out:(Cosgrave)

Time: 5.07

(We are including a brochure giving you further information on ARC and their telephone number. They operate a drop-in centre at 65 Eccles St., Monday to Friday 10.00a.m. to 5.00p.m. and anybody is free to call in.)

1. Immigration & Asylum Seekers: The launch of the 'Immigration Control Platform' last week was met with widespread controversy. Trócaire Chairman Bishop John Kirby stated in response that our treatment of Asylum Seekers is a litmus test of our attitude to human rights in general. Andrew Lawless spoke to Trócaire's Maura Leen and first asked what their objections to this new body are.

In: (Leen) "Trócaire's objection to this........resourcing for it." Out:(Leen)

Time: 4.53

2. Rwanda: Bishop Eamonn Walsh of Dublin was in Rwanda recently with Trócaire. He told Marie Stuart, RSM, of his first impressions of the country and the impact the evidence of the massacres had on him. He also talked about the challenge such an experience is to living a life of Christian faith. Having seen the situation in the prisons he feels there has to be a better way. Hope for the people of Rwanda lies in the continued interest and involvement of the international community through the work of sisters, priests, brothers and agencies such as Trócaire.

In:(Stuart) "On your recent visit ................ a very subdued hope" Out: (Walsh)

Time: 6.15

3. Overcoming Depression: Each year over 10,000 are admitted to Irish psychiatric hospitals with a depressive illness. For the families of those who suffer from depression, life can be difficult and uncertain. Julie Healy knows all about these difficulties and uncertainties. Her husband Derek suffers with manic depression. In this interview Julie tells Elaine about when she first realised that all was not well with Derek, and how they coped with the situation with the help of Aware. Julie is the National Support Group Co-ordinator with Aware. (We are enclosing a list of local contacts Aware support groups)

In: (Healy) "We're married..........................................support out there." Out: (Healy)

Time: 6.08

4. Working in the Philippines: Bernie Purcell, a Presentation Sister from Ballyraggat, Co. Kilkenny went to work in the Philippines in 1985. Lots of sunshine and ready availability of water are characteristics of the island where Bernie works. Yet the people and the country face major challenges. While home on holiday Bernie told Marie Stuart, RSM, of her first impressions of the Philippines and talked about the poverty and hardship people are experiencing. She also told of her sense of helplessness in the face of an economic system where a small number of people are getting rich while the majority are in abject poverty.

In: (Purcell) "The first thing you see ........... gets me down at times" Out: (Purcell)

Time:6.20

5. St. Brigit's Day: More and more people today are becoming interested in the life and legends of Saint Brigit of Kildare. Martin Browne spoke to Padraigín Clancy about Brigit's background and some of the traditions associated with her feast day (February 1st). Padraigín is completing postgraduate research in Irish folklore in UCD and facilitates retreats in Celtic Spirituality around the country.

In: (Browne) "When I was a child...........................our churches." Out: (Clancy)

Time: 5.49

6. St. Louis Sisters: Recently a choir of St. Louis Sisters released a CD and cassette of the traditional hymns that were part of their community prayer for decades and have fallen into disuse in recent years. Sr. Kitty Fitzsimons organised the recording because she wanted to make sure that something very precious would not be lost. Alan McGuckian listened to some extracts and spoke to her about the importance of this music.

In: (Music) "I think people........................................spot on this tape." Out: (Music)

Time: 6.37

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