CorkToday 9th September 2026

0:00you're listening to C103's cork today podcast phone and text lines are currently closed. And a very good Wednesday morning to you. As we welcome you along to the program, we've got Marage taking your calls at 0818103103. Anything you want to share with us this morning, we'd love to hear from you the text and the WhatsApp's are also up and running at 0862103103. We heard on the news and continue to hear this morning. Yesterday's major failure in the UK's national air traffic control system. It lets thousands of people stranded, planes grounded, travel plans in crisis and it was right across Ireland, the UK and indeed Europe. What amid all of the frustration on the Tarmac, there was incredible stories of patients, community and genuine kindness. My first guest this morning knows that better than anyone. Tony Wilkinson from Bannon was travelling back yesterday from London,

1:03Stanstead along with his wife Kate after visiting family. They ended up sitting on the runway for six and a half hours. But as Tony tells it, the flight show, the absolute best of people from a star, Ryan Air Cabin crew, to strangers stepping up to help him navigate the day, bearing in mind the Tony lives with Parkinson's. And I'm delighted to say he's reached out and he's joining me on the programme. This morning, good morning to you Tony. Good morning Patricia. And firstly, how are you doing and you're all over everything that happened yesterday. Fully recovered. No, no. I got a little bit of sleep and I think I'll be having a bit of breakfast and then going and getting a bit more sleep. Okay, bit of an app. Okay, take us back to yesterday. Take us back to yesterday. You were on board that flight at Stanstead, loaded, safety demonstration done, ready to push back and what happens then.

2:04Yes. And then the pilot came on and said, we are just been held here for maybe five, ten minutes. There seems to be a little something happening. I'll keep you informed and we all sat there, nothing under staff were sitting in their little jumpsuits all belted up. So we really were at that point of we're off. And then ten minutes came by and said, we're just waiting for a bit more information from traffic control here in Stanstead. And then after about say 25 minutes he then came back and said there's actually a disruption. We're going to keep you on board because we are the next plane basically to move. You know, we're in a position that we're there, we're ready.

3:04And then the time just started to pass an hour went by and two. And we were just chatting to each other and I pulled out my tablet and picked up as you do nowadays, flight 24. And we were watching the story fold out in front of us. You know, we could see that nothing was departing, he throw and all the other planes, stations, but those that had to, they were landing and even at Stanstead we could we could hear and see planes still landing because you have to get them out of the sky. Yeah, because they'll run out of fuel. So planes were landing but nothing was taking off. Had you any indication how were you told at this stage what was going on? No, but what happened was again, people were looking at their phones and getting texts from friends.

4:04And that's how the information traveled through the cabin. And that, you know, that's when we knew that there was a major incident because at one point, you know, the crew were asking the captain what's going on. And then from our aircraft, we could see others along the stands were being offloaded. So they were aircraft that were behind us on the schedule, but they were reverse loading if you understand. Yeah, because obviously, obviously those captains realized we're not going to get out of here. You know, if it is tech issues. So you ended up seeing, you engaged, ended up on the plane with the rest of the passengers for six and a half hours. Now that is a huge test of our patients. How did you, Kate, and the rest of the passengers? How did you keep the spirit of touring such a long way? Well, I must give my, the cabin crew were wonderful to us because

5:07we were still plugged in, thank goodness. That meant that the toilets were, we were able to use the toilets, which was important. And then, you know, they had us, they opened up the service where we could purchase tea and coffee and, you know, Pringles, a healthy food like that. But we were chatting with each other and everything. And then at one point, the crew said, look, some of you have expressed an interest to leave. If you do that, you then break a contract with us. And once you leave the aircraft, we are not responsible for you. You choose to leave. So some people left, but the majority stayed on because we were still, you know, Ryanair have an obligation to get you home. And in fairness, you were coming home. I think it would be different if you were getting on that

6:11flight, coming to court, maybe for an overnight, maybe for a business meeting, you could opt then to say, I'll cancel and reschedule and just get off. But it was very different for you in case you were actually coming home. But it's good to see because Ryanair come in for so much flack and so much stick. It was good to hear you praise the cabin crew. And you've given huge praise to them. It was just the fact that they kept you informed and seemed to have kept everybody calm in the situation. Yeah. And, you know, you often hear that people get fractures and everything. No, no, no. And there was a little lad on board. And he was very young and he was an absolute diamond, you know. And he wasn't sort of screaming, yeah, craft down or anything. But I have to just say that once they made the announcement that our flight was cancelled and that what they were going to do is reschedule us. So we came off our flight because what would have happened was

7:18the flight would have gone from standstill to cork and then from cork to Poland. And so what they did is got us off and they put the people there because that meant the plane was in the right place. Yeah. And we, I then met up with this and chatted with this guy Olivia, sorry Oliver Crudeau. And he was brilliant and he was ex-Pretty Shaeways, bit like myself. So we knew what to expect and we knew that if they said that. So we, we all disembarked and got up into an absolutely chaotic departure lounge. We we could hardly move. And there was little seating and people obviously on their phones batteries were running low and looking for charging and everything like this. And we broke off and we found a little corner

8:21and I was sitting on a beam and Claire Duffy had a power pack and she said, look, who wants her some power to charge her phone? And she shared that and then someone said, look, here's a power point. I've just charged who wants to use it. So that was going on. And then the next thing is because it was very uncomfortable, especially for me, Oliver comes walking down with one of those push wheelchairs and the lady sat in it and he got, he persuaded this lady to sit in it so that he could push it down. And then I had the chair to sit in. I was so grateful for him. Wow, people are great. And these are people you would never met before Tony and may never meet again. That is great. Because living with Parkinson's can can can make traveling in unpredictable situations even more challenging, I imagine. Very much so. Anxiety and everything is part of it.

9:31But just being able to make sure, I mean, I had my medicines to hand and everything, which was wonderful. And then people once we got back onto our flight, you know, and at sort of 12 o'clock at night, one o'clock in the morning type thing, people were talking to each other. And like, for instance, one of the people who was traveling to allergies, they had a car there. And the woman who was going to Castle Town Bay had to turn her pick up round. So they said, we'll drop you off. Now if that is just brilliant, you know, the kindness there. Yeah. That was that was absolutely great. And you know, that we met Susan and she was going to water grass hill and so on. Yes, I'm heading that way, you know.

10:38People helping other people out. It was brilliant. And it was what? It was after two two o'clock this morning, two a.m. in the morning by the time you finally landed. Yes. And you worked, you what time were you, you homeless? We would you home for something like six o'clock, you know, in the evening. Okay. So four thirty was the time. Okay, so about ten hours of the delay. Okay, so you made it home. But as you say, great acts of kindness, which is really, really fantastic. And we are hearing this morning that all flights of departures and arrived as normal, normal operations are expected to core care port throughout the day today. But you just want to say, I suppose Tony to Oliver are indeed any of the other fellow fellow passengers who might be listening this morning. It's just to say, you know, if you reached out in any way to help Tony in case you're indeed anybody else on the plane, just a big thank you to each and every one of them. Yeah, very much so. And you know, again, I'll call out for the staff because not many people

11:47know this, but the Ryanair staff are only paid once the aircraft takes off. So you think about that. I wasn't aware of that. So you're saying that when they're underground, they don't get paid? That's right. And then I paid a ship course. Okay, I wasn't aware. Certainly wasn't aware of that. But you listen, Ryanair have different work contracts. And I'm also told this morning you had, of course, yesterday you would you home, as you say, about four o'clock and you were going to the kennels to pick up Rufus. So you had to ring the kennels, obviously, and say can you hang on to Rufus for another night? So how was where they so what was Rufus's reaction when you collected Rufus this morning? He's usual. I mean, he just noted a different day's show goodness. But oh, he was delighted and he's busy doing his check now. He's walked all around the house and just come back into the room.

12:47So he's just making sure that his territory is all clear. So I'm just giving you a dirty look here. Left me again. Okay, listen, fantastic to hear you back, safe. And thank you for taking time out because too often people ring to complain. So it's great to get those happy stories as well. We appreciate it. Look after yourself. Love to Kate. Give Rufus a rub. And thank you so much for joining us today, Tony. Thank you for taking care. Take care. That is the lovely Tony Wilkinson who often speaks with us on the program at sharing his journey of life with Parkinson's 0 8 1 8 103 103. We are saying yes to more big winners at Annick Winner. We've been celebrating with Pauline Riley who won an iPhone 17 Pro bundle, Kato Brian won a full platinum hair package and it was James Moore who is cycling around now because he won the Fido C21 E bike for more chances to win. Check out lots of new prizes on Annick Win. I remember it's over 18s only and full terms and conditions are available at

13:53Annick Win that's oh, I see Annick Win. I E lines are open rates taking your calls at 0 8 1 8 103 103 email patrician now with your story or comment cork today at c 103. I see you in your talk to me. Court today on c 103. If you've checked your bank balance recently, you will know that the cost of living isn't easing up anytime soon, but today we're focusing on a household bill that spiking sharply and that's your health insurance. Now, according to the latest figures from the health insurance authority, nearly 1700 people dropped their health insurance and that was in the quarter leading up to June of this year. That we're told is the first market drop in some six years. We've got VHI, Leia and Irish life all pushing through with multiple price hikes. Now, that will add anywhere between 220 and 450 to a standard family plan. Many

14:59households are simply being pushed to the limit. Joining us this morning to make sense of the market and try to share practical ways to protect your family's budget without dropping cover completely is health insurance expert with health insurance island dot i e and that of course is dermat good. Good morning to your dermat. Good morning, Patricia. And you're welcome. latest figures showing this drop of nearly 1700 health insurance subscribers have cancelled in three months. How significant is this shift? And are we witnessing the start of a broader exodus from private health care? Yeah, no, it looks a very good question. I think what the data tells is now the data is kind of it's kind of confusing because what they're basically saying is that quarter on quarter, there's been a slight reduction, but year on year since June of last year, there still is a very tiny increase in overall numbers. But I think really what the data is telling

15:59is is that the market now, and we've been talking about this for some time, but the market is getting very close to that tipping point. And that is where basically the market stops growing. And we eventually reach a point where the market might actually start to contract. And if that happens, which we saw, well, I've seen it a number of times over the years, but what happens is the younger healthier members who cancelled first, and that just leaves a smaller membership base over which to spread the rising cost of claims and it just pushes a brates even higher for everybody. So, and as most what's really impacting or for me, this risk, why this is really relevant now is because this data's obviously just been published, but it doesn't take into account the significant increases that are going to impact one and a quarter million people. So half the entire market potentially will renew their cover between December and the end of February next year. That's 1.25 million people. And they think they might be facing an increase of 2.75%. And I'm sorry to have to say this, but you know, that's not going to happen because what's actually happening is the increases

17:03from October, the average is 2.75. Some plans will go by double if not triple that average depending on the plan you have. But the real thing that people are forgetting is that rates already went up in March and April. So you actually have two cumulative increase or two increases coming your way. The cumulative impact of that is exactly as you said from the outset, it could be anything from seven, maybe even up to 15%. I see one plan with layer is going up. It's an older plan, but that the cumulative cumulative increase is 19%. So here's the risk. A lot of people when they get those renewals, you know, if they haven't employed some of those tactics that we've often discussed to help you get more affordable cover, they may have no option, but to start removing people from their policy or even counseling their policy outright. And as I say, it's the younger healthier people. The ones you'd be most concerned. Yeah. And you'd be afraid that they'll be joining that 17 at hundreds who've already decided to drop their health insurance. What is driving the continuous

18:03rate hikes across the providers like VHILA and Irish life? Why are they continuing to put up their premiums? It's really down to claim. I mean, look, there's a number of factors. We've been aging population and so forth, but it's down to claims. And it's also down to, so when I say claims, particularly from the private hospital sector, so like, for example, we now see more and more people with private health insurance, they won't go to the public hospitals because they won't be able to get their choice of consultant or choice of accommodation or they won't be able to skip any cues. So they're all going to the private hospitals, which by the way is exactly what they pay their health insurance for, but now the volume of claims coming through the private system and the cost of those claims. You know, for the last three years or so, the insurance company's are really struggling to get a grip on that medical inflation. Now, if you look worldwide, medical inflation tends to run at anything between six and nine percent, depending on who you're speaking to, but it is predominantly down to claims. Now, the other thing is like, for example, just a couple of quick examples, per treasure, there's new technologies out now, particularly robotic procedures that are

19:05incredible in terms of patient outcomes and so on. And look, I want access to them and anybody, you know, anybody who wants to get recover as quickly as possible, they want access to those treatments. We want access to the latest, latest cancer drugs and so on, but they all come with a significant price tag. So I have to say to your listeners that, you know, if you want to stay on the exact same plan, brace yourself. If you're lucky, you might get away with six, seven percent, but brace yourself for 10 percent annual increases. But here's the thing, the amount of people that I do deal with who are paying way too much for their cover, even without any increases. And I just think of more, more people really actively shopped around and engage with the insurance companies, ask them the right questions, tell them everything. And you'll find that 70 percent of people will get a better deal with the same insurance company. And even things like splitting your cover, you know, taking on a small excess, asking for the latest corporate plan, you're reducing your accommodation preferences and so forth. These are all tactics that everybody should be employing,

20:05but the problem is, Patricia, too many people and especially older members who are terrified of making any changes, they don't engage, they don't, they don't contact the insurance companies, they just auto renew on the same plans. And that's why now, like the gap between the older plans and the newer plans, like I think the recent statistics showed that some older members could be paying as much as 45 to 50 percent above the average for their cover. And it's not because the need that coverage, just because they're not shopping around. It's incredible. And while the subscriber numbers are down, the other thing I know, just was the weighted average premium also dip slightly. And that obviously is suggesting that people are downgrading their plans. Reminders German, what are the hidden risks that consumers need to look out for when deciding to drop down to like a cheaper tier? Yeah, so the average now is, look, it's hovering around 1,960 euro. It'll exceed 2,000 euro. I've no doubt before the end of the year. But what people need to be very

21:08careful of, like if you, if you are shopping around actively every year, you know, the ways of reducing your cost is to take on a small excess per claim. So that means every time you go into the bonds of cool and cork or the amount of private and cork, you might have to pay a small excess per claim. There are small number of plans where you could have an excess per nice. You need to avoid them. The other thing that's happening is people are taking on these co-payments now for hip and knee and shoulder replacements. So I think three quarters of people with health insurance now have a co-payment. But the problem is I see, for example, a lot of layer members, the co-payment which is currently 20% will go to 40%. Now that is huge increase. So like that means just to quantify that now, Patricia, that means currently I might have a shortfall of 3,000 euro for a hip replacement. But if I go on one of those lower plans, that shortfall now becomes 6,000. But I might only be saving a hundred euro. And in fact, I see some of the plans have actually gone open price, but the benefits have gone down. So my advice to all of your listeners, if you see, first of all, never just focus on

22:11the price. Always check the small print to see how's any of your benefits changed. If you're not happy with the benefit changes, you need to phone your existing insurance companies straight away and challenge them to find you another plan that's in around what you can afford that doesn't have and that shortfall on us. And by the way, those plans do exist. And if you're not happy with what they offer you, please shop around because the insurance companies, there's a lot of inertia there and they know that a lot of people will just let the policies roll over. And that's why, you know, I have to warn people now that you could actually pay 10% more for less cover if you're not careful. So and any young people listen to this now, their parents, their older family members, they're the ones that are real risk of, you know, renewing on a plan that gives them less cover, but still a little costum significantly more. You need to help them to review their cover properly before the next renewal. Yeah, because it's the same. Many families keep everybody in the exact same plan. Now, some, you're just do it out of convenience. It doesn't make huge financial sense to split a policy. So, for example, adults and children could be on different levels of cover.

23:17Absolutely. I mean, look at it. If you take a typical family profile, so you have two adults, and maybe one of those adults wants a private room will say in the bonds and cork, and the other is very happy with semi-private. So they should be on separate plans reflecting their specific requirements, but also too many people have young children and let's just say young adults on the exact same plans as their parents. And that doesn't make sense because, you know, Mammondad have much more specific requirements there, more likely to, I suppose, have a serious illness in comparison to the children. So you should be splitting the cover and putting young healthy family members on a lower level plan that matches their needs. And even, even if you didn't want to reduce your costs, invest those savings in better cover for the parents. And also now, Patricia as well, there's now free cover offers. So if anybody listening has two or more children under 18, VHive just launched a plan called Advanced Care 75 where your kids can be insured for 100 euro each. Layer health care have a deal now where you pay for the first child. So you can put that child on an on an inspire plus. And then the rest of the kids on a plan

24:21called essential connect health. And that plan will be free. And I see level health the new entrance. They're giving free cover on I think on all their plans for any children under the age of three. So once again, splitting the cover and looking at each person on the family, each person's individual requirements makes absolute sense. And the other thing I would say to people as well, if you have 26, 27, 28 year olds on your policy and they're working, you really need to start encouraging them to move on to their own policies. Some of them will get discounts through their employer. They may even get free cover through their employer, you know, but a lot of parents are still covering those young adult dependents. And of course, those dependents are not going to offer to pay for it. So yeah, yeah. Okay, questions for you. Can you ask the army please? What is the coal payment? Okay, so the coal payment now is what we describe as so all the insurance companies have this on what they call restricted procedures. So think of it like this, it is predominantly hip replacements, knee replacements and shoulder replacements. And there's also usually

25:21certain procedures for eyes such as cataract removal. So a lot of the plans now, if you look down, you'll see they have a 20% coal payment. It simply means the insurance company pays 80% you have to pay the other 20% or negotiate on that. But a lot of the newer plans coming on stream now, the coal payment goes to 40%. Now, if you're young and healthy or if you're even could be older, but the joints are in good shape and there's no problems with the eyes, it probably makes sense to take on that risk. But if you have significant orthopedic issues like our choices or things like that, you're starting to, yeah, it's in the family and you're starting to feel the niggles. You're going to be very careful with that. Okay, and I know that this comes in all the time. I can see two people with the same question. Patricia, could you please ask Tarmas, why are we still being charged for maternity care when there's no private maternity care in this country anymore? No, and that is a really good question. So, and we've asked this question. So right now, there still is some consultants who have the old contracts where they can do private work in the public hospitals.

26:24Okay, so there still are some consultants that are on those contracts, but it is gradually being phased out. I mean, I think there was something in the Irish times this morning, basically saying that the HSE are down 160 million in income as a result of this change. So, it's kind of like the law of unintended consequences. There's no specifics yet, but what I would say to that listener is that it's coming very shortly or very soon or it's around the corner where there's a number of things have to happen. The minimum benefit legislation is going to have to be amended because how can you compare insurance companies to charges off a private maternity cover when effectively it is being phased out? And there is no private maternity available in the private system. So you will now have to go into a public hospital as a public patient. And I think what will happen is once the legislation has changed, the insurance companies then will start amending their policies. Now, I wouldn't be too optimistic about leading to any reductions because there's always something else, let's just say, that is going to use up those potential savings, but there are changes that are going to have to be considered by the

27:25regulatory and by the insurance companies very soon. Okay. And for people, as you say, so many people will be getting renewals in the post in the coming months, start doing your work, do your research, do not also renew. We'll speak again, Dermott. I know that for sure. In the meantime, thank you for joining us. Bye bye. Bye bye. That is the wonderful German good, who is Health Insurance expert with health insurance island dot i e o 818 103103. We've got marate taking your course. You can text your WhatsApp to 086 to 103103. Court today on C 103. I'm a red two week. Our producer joins me in studio for our weekly Wednesday wisdom. Good morning to you, Marate. Good morning. And our Wednesday wisdom today. I'm interested in this because I follow a gluten free diet. This was an email that came into us during the week from somebody who just wants to go by the initial T. So tell us what's up with T. So T got in touch with us and said, hi, Patricia and Marate, I hope you're both keeping well. I'm following a gluten free diet of late,

28:30but I haven't been officially diagnosed as celiac. I do have an appointment and I'm getting my results in the coming weeks. I've had most, if not all of the symptoms and since I adopted this new diet, I felt a lot better. It has changed what I eat and drink when I'm out and also at home. My boyfriend, sympathetic, as he is to my symptoms, isn't as excited about my diet change. I haven't asked, nor do I expect him to change his diet, but some moral support would be great. For example, I have a separate butter dish and jar of mayonnaise, but he constantly uses them both in dips his life back in. I don't want to keep nagging him, but if I do get this official diagnosis, this will definitely become a way of life for me until you have to get on board. I don't really know what I'm looking for here by writing to you. I guess I'm hoping for some positive stories from people who've had to change their diet completely, the cause of a diagnosis, and a way of encouraging my boyfriend to adapt to. We always shared a dessert to him we go out, but now the selection has really dwindled. I need something else to sweeten the deal.

29:34I just want to feel well and enjoy my food and not feel anxious every time I go out. Thank you, T. Well, yeah, I mean, I, as I say, I slightly identify here in that I follow a gluten-free diet and it's, yeah, the only thing I will say to T is it does become second nature and it does become easier and you do find the brands and things you can buy. You will find restaurants that would be particularly good when it comes to following gluten-free diets. Yes, you're first in your grab in a menu and you remember I'm also vegetarian, so I've the double whammy, I'm looking for gluten-free and vegetarian, but you get over that once the panic of particularly in a new restaurant, I always just try and see if I can go online to get a menu in advance, because that gives you a good feel, because you don't want to be spending age just trying to work out what you can and can't eat. But yeah, I think partner here needs to be a little bit

30:36more supportive and it can be hard for the person on the other side who's kind of seeing this going, oh god, well, you're the one who's eating the acro, why do I have to live like this? Why do I have to go gluten-free? And it's not, she's not asking him to go gluten-free, but he does need to realize particularly if she gets that full diagnosis of celiac disease, because for people with celiac disease as opposed to people who have an intolerance when it comes to gluten, they're two very, very different things. Somebody who's got celiac disease is literally not able to tolerate any gluten at all, so it might sound, is she being a bit excessive by the double dip and the butter dish and the mayonnaise. She's not, I mean, him using, you know, some bits of crumbs of butter are crumbs from his bread going back into the butter, into the mayonnaise, that could make her very, very unwell, whereas some people who have an intolerance can tolerate small amounts, so that double dipping isn't as important. So she does need to wait on the diagnosis, but if she gets the full blown diagnosis,

31:37she's going to have to sit down and have a real hard to heart with them, isn't she? Absolutely, and I think it's probably very anxious time for her, is there waiting for it, because I'm not a celiac, but I've spoken to many people who are, and to hear their experience, especially if they do have something that they shouldn't have, and sometimes it can happen if you're out somewhere and you kind of, you chance something or you trust that it is gluten-free, and then if it's not, but like listening to the, you know, the pain and how it affects them, just, yeah, I guess for him, for her, she knows what it feels, and I know she's waiting on the diagnosis, but it's to get that across to him, that like, you know, the, the, the impact of it and how it makes her feel, because I know she said he is sympathetic to her symptoms, but for him, thinking, oh, like this is going to be a complete change, and I suppose it's for them, for life, for life, and I suppose it's for them to be in a couple, but to also feel like that they can be independent in terms of, it's almost like,

32:42okay, that we shared the desert always, but now let's say we can get the one that we always used to get, because, and then is he feeling like, I can't now have my favorite, but to know that you can, you can still be, you know, you can still be together, but you can go and have the full of desert yourself. Exactly, and I just think, look, these things take time, and I think, you know, for this girl, you know, she's obviously probably feeling anxious about all of this, and you know, she's saying, you know, every time I go out, I don't want to feel this way, but I think time is is great in these things, and you know, get the diagnosis, and as you say, like, sit down together and talk about it, and I think just, you know, letting him know the impact, I don't, I wouldn't see it as like, you're nagging him or anything. I just think it's something that you're going to kind of learn together, and you know, make it work, but I think when anything, when it's new, it is bound to be, you know, a lot, and it's, yeah, I think I just think in time, and he's great supporting there. I mean, even when we said this was coming up today, and there was people saying, you know, she hasn't gone for the test yet, you know, she needs to meet in gluten, so there's such a wonderful community, and we had a slew of people contact, you can't contact, she'll tell us who's to stay

33:46in the gluten, and then we, but what, because we hadn't read out the email, that said, she's already gone for the test, she's just waiting on the, on the actual results of it, and somebody's saying, get your boyfriend involved, rather than making him feel like he's been told off, go shopping together, let him discover the gluten free brands as well, because I also thought it's kind of a little bit like, if somebody's on a diet, and you're in a relationship, you're married, you're a couple, and someone decides to go on a diet, and the other person doesn't, that can be a spanner, that can be a bit awkward for her, because there's somebody that died, well, I don't really want to go off with the big, you know, we don't, we won't have takeaway on Friday, because I'm on a diet, which is unfair, if I'm on the diet, why shouldn't you have to take away? Exactly, that's how I feel as well, if you're going on the diet, I think these are all very kind of personal journeys, and look, I suppose a diet is probably realistically a little bit different, maybe, you know, this is having a life, gluten free, because this is life, and this is something that you either will feel well or you won't, whereas a diet, I guess, is sometimes I would see maybe

34:50as a personal thing that everyone individually, but I agree with you, and I don't think this girl, and she has said it herself, like, I don't expect him to go gluten free with me, this is something I've been dealt with, as tough and all as it's going to be, but I just think she wants him to be supportive of her, and if she has her separate British, she has her separate meanings, just respect that, just don't judge, just be a bit more, and if anybody has gone through this, you have to follow a specialized diet, how do you get your partner on board, would love to hear your advice, 08103103, can I just say something when I was reading down through the email that she got in, the sharing of the desserts, and obviously the other way around that is you buy separate desserts, can I just say I'm sharing desserts, I'm one of those ones, if we're out for dinner, I will say if we're having desserts, I'll have a bit of yours, drives my fella, can say, it's like if you're somewhere and you're ordering takeaway and he's ordering two on chips, no, I just have a few

35:55few of yours, and my answer is, sure, I wouldn't eat a full one, and he goes, well, what if I want to eat a full one, and his weird thing is, I don't mind paying, I'll buy you the full one, and I just don't like to see the waste of it, and I just wonder, does that come up in many other, do many other couples argue about that, because I don't want a full one, but then hobby might want a full one, is winning to buy me the full one, but I don't want to see the waste. When we were, when we were a dumb or young, and we'd go for like a chip or whatever, we'd have to, I think I used to be with mom and we put, was a dad and dumb together, because they would eat quicker than we would, and you see if you were paired with one of them to share the chips, you nearly have to create your list of stash to make sure you're actually, oh, I laugh about that so yeah, when you're sharing things, yeah, that is, well, I'm a very slow eater, so I definitely would have to, I would have to add to that, but this is on the actual, when we're ordering, I know all this, I just have a busy yours, and I can see he'll just, I buy you a full one, I don't want

36:58to, for anyway, I'd love to hear people's views on that, because I do like that idea of ordering the dessert and we'll have four, four spoo, four spooes, and influencers, I would just like to say, I think, you know, TikTok and Instagram and looking at Reels and that, people share wonderful recipes, I think that's another place, just for this, you know, girl when she gets a chance as well, to find those recipes and to make her own, you know, kind of not to feel like, you know, she's been dealt with this, like kind of embrace it, I guess, because it's, you know, she's going to feel hopefully better, you know, all going well and if she does get this official diagnosis, and to embrace it, and I find, I love going on TikTok and Instagram, obviously, you know, be careful who you're watching and make sure it's coming from, you know, trusted sources and that, and that, they're kind of in some way accredited and that they have, you know, especially when it comes to specialised diet, like this one, but they definitely think you know, to embrace it and kind of, you know, maybe find the positives in it as well, because, you know, it can be really, you can feel really isolated, I guess, when you get something like this, you know. Okay, thank you for that,

38:00and we would love listeners, thoughts and comments, 086203103, text and what's up, so. And some of your calls coming in, we were speaking with Jeremy Good in the last hour about our health insurance premiums and how we know anyone due to renew them, they're all going up in price and then the worrying news that some people have already started to give up on health insurance. And of course, if we lose too many of the younger age categories, it's going to have a knock on effect for everybody else, but the one thing that Durham has said that has started in recent years, is this idea of co-payments that you'll notice when you get to your health insurance premium, you know, whatever package you're deciding to plan, you're deciding to go with, if you look down to the small print, you may notice that under any orthopedic are ophthalmology, maybe somebody getting cataractone that you're going to have to pay a percentage, they won't cover 100% of the bill, they might cover 30, you have to pay 30%, or you might have to pay 40% of the bill, but particularly, we did all center around orthopedics, people getting

39:06hip replacements or knee replacements. And it always seems to me to be a pretty mean one to be sticking it in on, because it is the most common reason that people will end up in hospital and may decide to hang on to their health insurance for a fear that they might need to get a replacement hip-art knee. Mary said a friend of hers had a hip replacement, this was just last week here in a private hospital, she went in on Thursday morning of last week, and she was discharged at four o'clock Friday, so little over 24 hours just one night stay, the bill 10,000 euro. Mary said her friend told her it doesn't include the in-eatthest and it didn't include the surgeon, if that's what they're charging for the use of the theatre and an overnight bed, is it any wonder that the cost of our health insurance is going through the roof, thank you for that, Mary. And then we were talking about following, if someone has diagnosed, see the act that's coming in on our Wednesday wisdom, a listener is waiting on results to find out if she's celiac or not, but since taking the test,

40:11she's decided to follow a gluten-free diet and she's feeling better on it while she's waiting the results, but she's her partner, her boyfriend, is just not taking it all as seriously as she feels he should. Patricia, we had a young family member who developed a very serious medical condition and it did require dietary changes, so I made sure that we all followed the new diet, I also made sure that all meals were varied, I made sure they were tasty and I made sure that they were appropriate. Oddly, while everyone here at home was fine about it, my partner's mother went into a rage over it and sister said that we all went back to our past eating habits. It had nothing to do with my mother and all, but some people are so controlling that they try to undermine situations just because they disagree with them. I hope the tea who wrote to your program today for Wednesdays wisdom. I hope her boyfriend is not undermining her in a passive-aggressive way

41:12and maybe he will be more supportive if and when her diagnosis is confirmed. Yeah, and hopefully that will happen. Thank you for that. What's happening? 0862103103 and thank you to Pat Inkil Malik, who sent it a lovely little text and is certainly worth mentioning to others to say, morning Patricia, we took our grandchildren to facet circus in Charitable yesterday. They were thrilled with all of the live acts and you know something said Pat, watching them all enjoying themselves, it got Pat to thinking, it doesn't it be children being stuck on mobile phones all day. Yeah, to go along to a live circus, nothing like it indeed, well done and maybe if people get the opportunity to take your children or take in Pat's case, take the grandchildren to circus. A couple of people were on a boat, a meeting that was held in the Celtic Gras hotel yesterday. This was a presentation of the Government's New Planning Act and I don't know was it given by,

42:13was it yeah, was it delivered by it was it was delivered by the Minister John commons. An outstanding commonsense presentation on the Government's New Planning Act of the Celtic Gras last night to a massive crowd says who's this from Caroline Cronum, who is a Councillor in the Bantry area. She said the Minister expects that these measures, this is the New Planning Act, will be law by the New Year, Trojan amount of work has gone into it by Minister commons and he's team, it will be a real shake-up in rural planning said Councillor Caroline Cronum and that is caused current planning rules, of course, so much heartache to people in West Cork, especially young couples and their families and a lot of people would agree with that. A Michael in Castleton Bear says I sat with that large crowd of people and I witnessed Minister John commons deliver the presentation on these New Planning Act, which he expects will become law early next year. Some things that Michael I've been waiting for for a long time, it's what rural Ireland has been

43:16waiting for for decades. He said I, the honour of congratulating him on being the first Minister to take planning seriously in rural Ireland since the late John the Mass, introducing planning back in 1963. He did and has done a very, very good job in it, which details will be revealed as the time goes by. I would like to say a big thank you to Minister commons, we'll be keeping a very close eye on that New Planning when it comes out in the new year. Now can I turn my attention to Mary McElise and the GAA, what's going on there and I really, really would love your thoughts and comments on what you perceive is happening and are you falling on one side over the other, are basically are you with Mary McElise on this one, are you on the other side of the fence? Mary McElise, Dr Mary McElise, as I should say, says she has been left devastated and she says she feels the momentum for integration

44:17is fading. This was when she confirmed yesterday she was stepping down as the chairperson of the Integration Committee overseeing the amalgamation of the GAA, the Ladies Gaelic Football Association and the Kamogi Association, they've been talking about this for a few years. It comes after the GAA told the steering group that it would not commit to the definite timeline for integration. Mary McElise, of course, she was former president of this country, she was appointed by the GAA in September of 2022. So four years ago she was asked to serve as the independent chairperson of this integration process, which was going to bring the three associations together, all the men in the GAA and all the ladies in the football and in the Kamogi, and bring them all in. The idea was that the three parties would all come together and they had committed to achieving integration and when Mary McElise was handed the position, they were given five years, they were

45:21told, have it done, the intention was they would achieve integration by 2027, obviously we're very close to 2027, and had agreed to hold a special Congress next month, which would enable the creation of one membership for one association and that association would start April next year, however. The GAA wrote to the group yesterday requesting time to pause and reflect on the process. The GAA told the steering committee that it wished to reconsider the approach. They wanted greater focus on equity rather than equality. So let's break that down, equity rather than equality. Equality will focus on giving everybody the exact same resources. If you're looking at equity overt, equity focuses on distributing resources based on individual needs to achieve equal outcomes, so they are two very different things. Anyway, according to RTE sports, they understand

46:22that the GAA's proposal was to extend the process by up to five years. Now there'll be five years at a next year when the duty integrates and the GAA are saying let's go another five. So it will be 10 years from when they first put Mary McElise in a place, but they did say we are fully committed to integration. A statement then obviously was issued by Dr. Mary McElise. She said the change creates significant uncertainty around the privacy agreed and she said publicly announced roadmap. She added that in her view, the roadmap was effectively blocked. She could see no alternative pathway offered to her. She can reaffirmed her strong support for the integration of all GAA games and her belief that there is an overwhelming will of the membership for the three associations for the men in the GAA and the women in both the LGFA and the Kamogi Club. They all

47:22want to integrate is Mary McElise's belief. Her appointment to the role came on the back of a GAA conference in February of 2022, giving the green light towards taking urgent action on unification and dialogue subsequently then beginning between the GAA and those involved in amalgamating Irish sport organization with similar structures to the three Gaelic games bodies. So instead of having three Gaelic games bodies, we will all come together and we will have won. The statement on Tuesday night, the GAA acknowledged Mary McElise's decision to step away, thank you for her contribution. They said the next phase of the project will be to distill the substantial and constructive feedback received from a wide range of stakeholders into a refined set of key principles and structures and to derive a detailed and sequential work plan, all of which they say they will advance. They won't do it, they will advance it next year. They also say the GAA

48:23remains fully committed to building this single association that honors the identity heritage and contribution of all sports and they want a stronger and more inclusive future. In a subsequent statement, the Komogi Association, their president, a guy by the name of Brian Maloy, he said very disappointed with the decision that had been agreed by the association and the goal was to have it all done by next year. So he is very much with Mary McElise on this one. The Komogi Association, he says, remains committed to the integration project and hopes that the three associations can align on the path to delivering division. And what was division? One club, one county, one province, one congress, one association and that was actually set out in 2024. And then the ladies, Gaelic football association, the LGFA, they went on to thank Mary McElise,

49:29but said her departure had not been anticipated. The LGFA remains fully committed to the integration process and to working with the GAA and the Komogi Association on the next steps. Now, on why the GAA wanted to consider and reconsider the timeline approach to it, Mary McElise said that she obviously couldn't speak for the GAA, it was up to them to answer the question, but she said, this is her suspicion. She said, I know what I suspect, because she said, I did meet the management committee. A body, she said, quite frankly, that was less than impressive, was very disappointing to me as a long-term GAA supporter. To meet a body, she said, so lacking in vision for the future of the GAA. So, but she said it boils down to, in this is Mary McElise speaking, she said it boils down to, in their view, finances, which she said, incidentally, we had taken great trouble to meet their

50:31concerns and to have answers for their concerns that were more than credible and more than workable. But she said, I also suspect in the back of it all, and she said, I really hate to say this, what I suspect, when I see them saying that there are problems with equality. She said, I suspect that there are people who are not entirely happy about the idea of including women in decision-making at the top level of Gaelic sports. She said, the document they produced yesterday, whittled on about how they continued to support integration, and now they were going to do all sorts of things to support integration, except that they weren't actually going to do anything, because she said, they've blocked our progress, they've blocked our plan, and she said, they've known her plan currently. So it looks like going back to the drawing board, she said, she was extremely disappointed at how things had unfolded. She said, she's devastated by it, she's given four years of her time. She said, four years is a lot. She said, I'm not getting any younger,

51:34she said, four years of my life is a lot of time. And she said, she thinks of all the effort that they have made. She is hoping it won't be lost, because she said that, all the effort is still there. She said, it's still all sitting waiting to be used, but hopefully now she said it will be used by another group sometime. She doesn't know when that will be, because she said, unfortunately, as of now, the GAA has indicated that they cannot commit to any kind of definite timeline for integration, but at the same time, of course, saying that they are committing to integration. She said, she's dubious. So there you go, is it all about, has she hit the nail on the head? Is it that some people within the upper echelons of the GAA, they do not like the idea of having women included in decision making? And obviously, if they go with the whole idea of having everybody together under one roof, remember the vision was one club, one county, one province,

52:35one congress, one association, so you would have to have men and women. And all of those levels, making all of those decisions is that where the GAA are slipping up. Your thoughts welcomed on that place, where are you sitting? Are you with Mary McElise? Are the GAA right? They're not ready for integration yet. Oh, eight, one eight, one, oh three, one, oh three. See one, oh three, jobs with board, gosh, energy local heroes. Find a local hero to upgrade and replace your old inefficient gas boiler now at localheros.ie. General operative wanted for a traffic management company that's in the Kiskei, Kiskei, in the area, CVs, these to Sean, to Sean and the email addresses info at trafficsmart.ie. Tristol, Hennessy, Central in Balloning. They are looking for a retail assistant CVs to TIWSTALLCENTRA at GML.com.

53:40Freight speed is recruiting a van driver. It's for deliveries to pharmacies and hospitals. CVs to Allen at FreightSpeed.ie. And two community employment caretaker positions available at Gwynne Gwila, GAA, Corshan, 089, 2247, 5, 4, 5, 5, 4. You'll find all the details and more job opportunities by going online now. Just go to c103.ie. Ford slash jobs for more information. Email Patrician now with your story or comment. Corktoday at c103.ie. Corktoday on c103. A sobering new study published by the Economic and Social Research Institute in partnership with Community Foundation Ireland, Pains a Stark picture of child poverty across the country. Now, despite strong overall growth in average household incomes, the figures show as

54:41sharp rise in the number of children who are falling below the poverty line reaching 200,000 children. Then when you factor in the soaring cost of housing, that figure actually jumps to 260,000 children. The ESRI warns that the government is now very far off its target to reduce child poverty. Their aim has been to reduce it to 3%, and they hope to do that by 2030. To walk us through these figures and discuss what needs to happen next. I'm joined on the line by Gerry O'Connor. Now, Gerry is the Director of Communications and Public Affairs at Community Foundation Ireland. Good morning, Gerry. And you're welcome to the program. Thank you very much, Patricia. I'm delighted to be joining you. Now, average household incomes grew by 4% over the past year. Your child poverty figures jumped significantly. How do you explain that disconnect, Gerry?

55:42What we are seeing and what the figures are telling us, and this is the 60 year of the relationship and strategic partnership that we have with the Economic and Social Research Institute. So we're now seeing a trend which shows us that over a period where at least on paper, the country is wealthy, it is to put it bluntly, a situation where a rising tide is not lifting all boats. And that there are now families and children who are essentially trapped in a cycle of poverty that could and in all likelihood actually will continue, unless there's an intervention for the entire lifespan of a child. And then when you're factoring the housing costs, we've got this additional figure of some 40,000 more children falling into poverty. How severely is the current housing crisis driving working families over the edge?

56:42I think when you look at the figures and when you look at the narrative that goes with the figures, and I think look deep down, we all know this, like unless a way is found, ultimately to unlock our deal with the housing and accommodation crisis, poverty will be with us. Now having said that, we do think there are, I mean that is an enormous task and we all know that only too well. Now having said that, we do think there are steps that could be taken now that would help alleviate the issue. And one of the main recommendations, now unfortunately this has been a recommendation over a period of several years, is that there should be what's called a second tier of child benefit. So that would mean that there would be extra child benefit for those families that needed most. And the experts, the research experts at the ESRI and their qualifications are without question, do tell us that that measure alone would lift 55,000 children out of poverty.

57:47Now I should say in the defence of successive governments, that over the six years, the research has had some positive impacts in terms of the role out of hot school meals, in terms of the expansion and the introduction of desk cloth schools. Yeah, I'm sorry to drop you, but I did hear me, Hallmark, and yesterday when he was asked about this particular study, he did say, well, hold on a check, we have put in more desk schools, we do have the free textbooks. And he's saying that not all of that is captured in this particular survey. He did say that, now actually the figures are, the figures are the most up to date, the reality is that the most available credible figures are 2024. As a matter of fact, if you look at it in the coal light today, 19 months ago was 2024, it's not that old. And so the reality is, there has been measures and there have been very welcome measures,

58:49but there's been a failure to grapple with what really is a systemic change that can make a real difference. Okay, let's take away the two years if you want to, but I mean, that still leaves us with four years where the reports are tracking an increase in child poverty. So it's not just a one-off report. This is a trend. It is continuing and the experts, the number crunchers, what, with that word, are telling us one of the options that should be looked at is this special targeted child that has the support. All right, the report shows that families with the very young children, Jerry, those under five, they're being hit the hardest with poverty-based rumping, I think it was from 21%, 27%, particularly when you factor in housing. Why is that specific age group seeing such a dramatic increase? I think it is, and I think this will come as no surprise to people who are parents. It is costly to have children. You know, there are demands,

59:52there are child care demands. We all know about the cost of child care. It's also reflected in the report. We know the cost of education itself, and we know the cost of, if you like, activities that children need. I'm sure you've had many discussions, Patricia, on your show, where you know, people say, you know, screen time is not a babysitter, but like the old terminus of two also costs. So it is those costs are having an impact on families, but in particular with young children, obviously as children age, they tend to then be able to more fend for themselves to a certain extent. And I know the study highlights, you know, that many parents make incredible personal sacrifices to shield their children, particularly from the material hardship. But I take it, there is a point is there where that shield breaks down for low-income families that usually can't shield them. There is a point where it breaks down, and what's interesting, and I should put the

1:00:54research in the context of other activity that's taking place around this period. So we also partner, not just researchers, I should explain the PUTY Foundation Ireland is a philanthropic hub for over 25 years. We've built a network of 5,000 community voluntary and charitable partners across Ireland, like down in Clark, I'm thinking of organizations like Let's Grow Together, the great work of the Good Shepherd organization, and in a different area, then of course the Excent Plan Center. We be partners of them. So we're not just looking at the evidence from the experts, we're also hearing the underground experience, which our partners are feeding into us. The research is always shocking, but actually when you talk to those organizations on the ground, the research is only putting numbers on what is their actual experience on the ground. So that's important too. So the research gives us the evidence from the backs of the anecdotal evidence and experiences we are hearing from our

1:01:56partners. So it's really important to put that context on us. So I mean, if you unfortunately were to talk to us say for example, the Good Shepherd, the report wouldn't be shocking to them as it is to many of your listeners who might only dip into this crisis with the viewers on the radio, and that is the reality as well. What's really interesting actually is part of that overall activity. We did go down to Let's Grow Together in Nakhmihini, and we did videos with young people down there, which were part of our week of activity. I mean, the greatest clarity actually comes from children. So when you ask them what they want, it is green spaces, it is access sport, it is accessibility to activity, it's investment in communities, they actually like school. I don't know how you've learned about school growing up with the children. Glad to get your out of it. I don't know, I'll admit the same. But they actually like school.

1:02:59Not brilliant. Not brilliant. What's really interesting and out of the more, what out of babes comes truth, what is really interesting is that not only do they want the opportunities for themselves, they want them for every child. That's one. There's also really powerful. Yeah, did I also mean, Jerry, that there are many eligible low-income families who are missing out or failing to take up state supports that are already there. And I think, yes, so yes, that is true. And we do read as well, you know, like this is across the board. And if anyone needs any assistance, I would think the first port of call should be to citizens advice and the services that they provide. I mean, even personally, my own situation, I mean, like I do check in quite regularly, you know, on tax relief and whatever. But I mean, like it is something, it is a habit that something that people should really be doing. Are you getting your full entitlements? And they are your entitlements, by the way.

1:04:00Are you accessing them? It's not an area where I can give perfect advice, but my port of call, and I'm sure they're friends of your programmes, where we'll be the citizens advice. Yeah, and we're your first port of call. We have them on once a month, and they are a mine of information we're forever sending at people to them. Now, the report points out that the top earners saw their incomes grow by more than 7 percent compared to just 3 percent from the bottom half. Jerry, are we seeing a widening economic gap where economic growth simply is in matching those at the bottom? Absolutely. And we see that when we go out on the ground all the time, there are now communities which are being left behind. There are communities which are also disengaging, which the democratic system they're disengaging with society. It's creating a void where if you like bad actors are coming into play.

1:05:00And it is a huge challenge that we, the society, are half to face. The income gap for one of the better word is widening. It's continuing to widen. It is something we've noticed over the six years of this research. There's also a very frightening, I think it was in report three. So let's say it was midway in the reports. There was a very frightening prediction that we are in danger of becoming the first generation in modern Ireland. So we'd say for since independence to hand a poorer society to our children. Now the experts obviously mean poorer in terms of wealth and individual wealth. But I mean also I suppose we also reflect on values and the strength of communities given the nature of our work. And that also has value and like to try and protect that hand that hand to the next generation. You know what very well

1:06:05encounter cork, you know the importance of local sports clubs, tiny towns. I mean that is all actually democracy in action. Yeah for sure for sure. Listen and continue good luck with the great work of the community foundation Ireland and particularly all those thousands of community partners that you have around the country who do absolutely amazing work. But Jerry I have to leave it there. Thank you for that and thanks for joining us. Thank you very much Patricia. Good morning Jerry O'Connor, Director of Communications and Public Affairs at Community Foundation Ireland. Cork today on C103. Now tomorrow is Thursday the 10th of September and September 10th of course marks World Suicide Prevention Day. It's a time to remember those we've lost. Support families affected by loss and most importantly to raise awareness around mental health resources within our community. In North Cork the Charliable Suicide Awareness Project has been offering community support and hope since 2009 and joining me on the line now is its founder Margaret O'Calaam

1:07:10who of course set up the group after tragically losing both her son and her brother to suicide. A Margaret is organising a special commemorative walk in Charliable tomorrow Thursday to mark the day and delighted to say. Margaret joins me on the programme. Good morning to you Margaret. Good morning Patricia. I'll just turn you up a little bit there. Okay, listen Margaret, good morning to you. Always great to have you on the programme because I know the tremendous work that you're doing in Charliable and the surrounding areas. You founded the Charliable Suicide Awareness Project as I said back in 2009 it was out of your own personal loss. Can you talk a bit about how about creating the group and how important it was for you and the community back then and how important it's been since. We might sound like in 1996

1:08:11Patricia and my brother two years before that and there was nothing nobody you could talk to. Well, nobody you could talk to really because that change mental health hasn't changed. It didn't get better. I think it got worse in some places because suicide is an offering but people don't want to talk about it. They want to brush it, brush it under the carpet in my eyes and in a lot of people's eyes because if you mention suicide in schools or anything or get somebody in to talk about mental health, nobody wants to listen to you. Do you also find that when families lose a loved one to suicide, that the families, some families are not all because some families are terrific. You're a Chinese example of that but that some families don't want to mention how their loved one died.

1:09:13Didn't that they don't want to mention I think they're afraid to mention it. You know it's a hard thing to say your son died a suicide or your daughter died or your son or your brother died. It's very hard to think to say suicide. Is it hard for the person or are they afraid of the reaction they're going to get? I think they're afraid of the reaction they're going to get Patricia because if I mention suicide to some people they won't say to know that they was just talking about it and they want to something else. Yeah and I know and I don't know maybe you can say if this happened to you or not. I do know that some people who lost a loved one being you know a son or a daughter to suicide, they found that people avoided sympathizing with them because they didn't want to even mention the

1:10:16last and that can be very very heartful on the person who's doing the grieving. Will it never happened to me now and the people I know it wouldn't have happened because people that sympathize with you they're fantastic people and it's hard to say and very sorry about your troubles that your son died a suicide. It's very hard so they don't say suicide. And do you think we should we should be saying it? No, God just 100%. I mean tomorrow night now we're having our balloons and doves, not the doves now real ones we're having mock ones tomorrow night because I got a bus and this is one to give to everybody that's there that have been affected by suicide. Their sons or their daughters have died so we got a little doped for them to keep. But tomorrow night I last year it was very very poor the people that turned up for the night year before it was poor but it was better than last year. You know people don't come out in support

1:11:23as much as they should. To say the the G8 teenagers that all the youth should come out to you know for over over 17 to come out and support the walk it's a free walk it's a lovely walk around the park we put a little timber stair under tree to remember your loved ones or your friends because as the outflights people have friends died of suicide and they're lighting a candle and we go down to the plaza leave after balloons we have an issue we're having a cup of tea just and a chat because people don't talk the more Patricia. They don't talk about suicide mental health they don't talk and I think the government have to change regards mental health because they're not doing enough for mental health they say they are but they're not. We had a gentleman who when we said we were going to be talking with you and about this the topic of World Suicide Prevention Day who contacted the program to say that he was at a funeral

1:12:30over the weekend and it was of a young man who sadly had died by suicide and he this gentleman who contacted us said he knows some of the families so he went along to the funeral but he said he just could not get over the watching the family the immediate family of this young man the devastation that was felt by the family he said to look at the mother of this young boy he just said he would bring a tear to a stone and he said you know he just thinks that we need to get that devastation across to people of what it is like for those left behind following a death by suicide and you know he was saying we need to out the message to people that there is help out there and he said he was so upset I think himself by the devastation left behind by this young man last we get that he said he actually contacted young adults that relations of his like

1:13:32nieces and nephews and things like that and he told them look I'm always here pick up the phone if you ever need to talk to me day or night you know he said I just he wanted them to know that he was there for which I thought was really really really sweet but I think for the you know I think for somebody who is contemplating suicide you know in any way thinking about it I wonder do they ever stop and think about the devastation and about the people they're leaving behind I don't think so but we should it's 30 years since my son died and they're in the day go by or a minute of my life that don't think of my son I am at the graveyard every day just be happy fresh flowers everything is right for him my it's my brother I go to my brother's grave not every day when I can for my son he I can't understand and I can I'm I was asking myself why did I do something wrong I know I didn't I know I didn't know it took up to years for me to know I

1:14:37didn't yeah but when I when I do the walk around the park when I go up to the tree for pop up pop up my son died in the park so when I go up there there's a green little horse at the back that's still there 30 years on since my son died and I asked for the council to remove that but they didn't but now I have to trip hope and I hope and pray that they don't take that away from me and for other people that they can sit down and just think of their loved ones that have passed and if they only spoke to us and I taught us their problems we could have helped but they didn't I know I know it is tomorrow and I September 10th half a six is that it actually one people would you need six in the tongue in the tongue park and as many people have they can't come out and support this suicide awareness walk it's free and the balloons balloon the plaza

1:15:38and have a cup of tea and a chest just a chest there's no need for big sermons renting just a check amongst one another okay listen good on you feeling that's it good luck with this at Margaret it's all about her thank you so much thank you so much Patricia for everything you don't you're doing Trojan work you mind yourself okay take care thank you thank you there's a lady with a huge heart that is still very much broken after the last of her son and brother Margaret Callahan from Charliville suicide awareness project and of course if you need someone to talk to don't forget the Samaritans are always available 24 hours a day seven days a week and you can meet your shouldn't speak to the Samaritans on 116123 that's 116123 I was at speaking in the last hour with the wonderful Margaret Callahan who set up the child of a suicide awareness project and it's been doing incredible work since she set up that group and of course it all came about because she knows what loss is like through suicide because she lost her son and her brother

1:16:42who both sadly passed from suicide and during the course of my chat with Margaret I absolutely know except I said something that came across and I hope I didn't upset Margaret at the same time but at least I was pointed out and said I lost my son 10 years ago he left a baby behind Patricia how can you say do they think of the ones that they are leaving behind your clueless to suicide or mental health so you shouldn't even be asking those questions I'm so cross with you none of us know what's going on in their tormented heads but my thought is that they think they're better off that we are better off without them you're nearly making it out that they were thinking of us at all and absolutely 100% listen first say sorry for you on the last of your gorgeous son and I can only begin or I can't even begin to imagine the pain that you and your family have carried for the past 10 years and you're absolutely right none of us can truly know what is going through somebody's mind when they are in such a torment so therefore I really

1:17:48can understand why my words felt heartful and upsetting to you I certainly certainly didn't mean to suggest that people who died by suicide don't think about the loved ones they leave behind we simply kind of know exactly what they were thinking of particularly in those at final moments so I'm really really sorry if the question and the way I phrased it at tomorrow got came across as making assumptions are that I added to your pain in any way but thank you for telling me about how my words affected you and I hear you and I genuinely sorry and I will try to do so much better when I'm next covering this subject but thank you for your WhatsApp to 0862 103103 and can I remind you that today is Wednesday so that means Peter doubt of our resident guide don't we'll be joining us on the program so if you've got a guide in question for Peter you can get it in parade is taking your calls 08103103 and if you're WhatsApping in questions some people like to send

1:18:53on photographs which we can get on to Peter if it's a particular plan to show but maybe something you don't know the name of you can get photographs in on WhatsApp as well to 0862103103 I mentioned Dr Mary McElise and her the fact that she has stepped down as chairperson of the Interrogation Committee this was the committee that was overseeing the emalgamation of what we now have at the moment is sort of three GA organizations we have the main GA body and then we've got the organization that looks after the lady's scaling football and then of course we have the Khmerge Association and it was decided a number of years ago that all of them would be put together and they would go in under one banner and the idea was that it would all be sorted and done by April of next year and they pathway to delivery division of one club one county one province one congress one association it was all set out a number of years ago there was a committee put in place and it

1:19:56was led by Mary McElise but she was forced to resign because the GA a rose requesting time to pause and reflect on the process and they want another five years to think about it basically and that really annoyed Mary McElise who really didn't hold back in a stinging attack on the GAA I'm interested in your thoughts and comments on what Mary McElise had to say but also just on that whole issue you know while she and the committee right they were moving forward she's saying she's been all over the country talking with people from both the GAA from the ladies Gaelic football association from the Khmerge and that everybody wanted this one united big family all under one roof all under one umbrella so she felt her inter team were really working and were very close to getting to where they wanted to be which was to launch it in April of next year but then the GA said no wait we need to hold for another five years Michael said he was driving last night when

1:21:01it came on on the radio when he heard about Mary McElise and he heard Mary McElise herself speak and she said he said she was spitting out a fiery account for a resignation from the GAA and has left them in tatters this morning that is the GAA those tatters that will take some explaining the GAA forgot that the women of Ireland are the backbone they have severely ruptured that backbone with serious consequences Mary McElise has called out the GAA for what they are they cannot accept that ladies lady athletics are surpassing men by long odds rapidly not to mention Katie Taylor but more into croak pack than any football match ever has Katie McCabe are tracking field athletes I could go on and on with great female role models they're all brilliant and they give it all their little hearts they deserve the highest of respect the GAA has showing nothing now but contempt for

1:22:03all our lady athletes and I say to them shame on them where they're saving their pockets I wonder says Michael and someone else says Patricia would you send a big thank you out to Dr. Mary McElise for making a stance for women the GAA as an organization they are little bit like a dinosaur and somebody who signs off describing themselves as a man in his 50s says when I came when sorry this something going up on the screen in front of me um sorry here do I get rid of this cancer I've got someone on the screen there I'm sorry but that's just something to go up on my on my screen and somebody signs of seven man in their 50s says when it comes to Mary McElise I say go girl power she is better now vocally than what when she was president of Ireland she's absolutely brilliant

1:23:07those male leaders are I feel decision controlling power men I have no they've no issue marrying are having a physical relationship with a woman which is life changing for both women have creativity too but they don't want them in power thanks to Mary McElise for being so powerful and that's from a man in his 50s and someone has such a really really disappointed to hear what just happened within the GAA there isn't a cork men's football hurling ladies kimoghi are football game that we haven't gone to this year in either national league championship county are all island championship games we travel to up and down the country there's a committed family I've two daughters they both play club football out in all types of weather and this really hurts what the GAA are doing I have to say really really disappointed in them and that's from a very proud

1:24:11GAA West cork family and you could imagine that family I'm assuming came together yesterday when that news broke about Mary McElise you could imagine them coming together and talking and really committed they probably easily been breathed GAA judge about the amount of matches that they go to so you can imagine how upset they were and it is disappointing I think it really really is for people who can see the advantage of having this one great big organization men, women and children all together and doing it all under one banner how fantastic it will be and look I certainly don't give up and you know as Mary McElise said herself they've done she and her particular committee have done an amazing amount of work and which she's hoping now none of that work will be lost because she says it's all there it'll all be sitting there waiting to be used hopefully there will be another group at some time and hopefully they won't take them in the GAA or say

1:25:11they want another five years hopefully they won't take that at large and somebody else says good good morning Patricia why am I not surprised by what the GAA did in my own club the girls and ladies from the Kamogi have to book and then pay for the hire of the pitch whereas when it comes down to the lads they don't have to book pay anything the field is there for them 0818103103 we have Merade taking your calls today with a reminder that we are looking for the gardening questions for Peter Dowdler in text or WhatsApp to 0862103103 court today on c103 and we've got Merade to we can't produce so joining us as we take a look at what has been coming in on the program and sort of sort out and put to bed other issues that we

1:26:13were addressing good afternoon to you good afternoon to you now the one I think that got people most engaged this morning has got to be Mary McElise yesterday standing down as chairperson of the integration committee overseeing the malgamation of the GAA the LGFA and the Kamogi Association and can I say that that woman did not hold back at all and she really she really did live rip rip but I think she's so annoyed I think that's one of the reasons now you've got a can't an update on that story since I came to air and yeah and I think you know what she's standing up for what she believes in and but I've been looking here at the G director general Tom Ryan he's rejecting the accusations of misogyny he said in the strongest possible terms because the integration of gator games the three bodies as you said they're the GA the LGFA and the Kamogi Association it's not going to happen in 2027 or that's next year and he's saying that the failure to reach agreement on organizational structures is the main reason behind the delay in the process and as you said they're Mary McElise she stood down as the chair of the integration

1:27:18committee but I'm just so can hear their meeting it is understood that Mary McElise doctor Mary McElise and along with representatives from the GA the LGFA and the Kamogi Association will hold talks with the sports minister which is Patrick O'Jonevin in a series of meetings this afternoon so it's going to be interesting to see on the back of that if anything is going to change yeah but I don't know Tick he came out sorry what's the name of the guy you're talking about his head of the Tom Ryan he's the director general manager of the hot digit G at Tom Ryan okay he came out and said that you know they won't be able to do integration by next year that they had agreed the three bodies are committed to achieving integration by 2027 and it was actually April they were to have this one membership for one organization from April of next year that's what Mary McElise was asked to work on five years ago September 2212 four years ago five years ago by the time it's all done and that's what everybody else was working on and she has commotion said the reason she fears is that people were not happy about the idea of including men

1:28:20in decision-making at the top of the gate exports that's where like she didn't use the word misogyny she just fears there are some in there so obviously I can see how to how people are jumping on misogyny people contacting us this morning are saying they're very disappointed with the GAA they wanted the idea of this amalgamation I mean certainly the LGFA wanted and the Kamogi Association wanted so it's the it's the GAA of stopters well that's where it it looks like and I know another five years and then the five years after that another five years after that and it's so disappointing obviously they they've all put work into it as you say what 2022 there and this work started and she went in you know did her bit and I would think you know she's not going to make a big decision like this out of out of nowhere like you know this is come she's standing up by you know for what she believes in and as you say they're coming out with the term we're rejecting this you know he he said I can't accept that I would refute that in the strongest possible terms when he was asked about accusations that the delays are built on misogyny is what

1:29:24is the way he was asked and he said I accept in the course of a project like this there will be different perspectives different points of view and that's why he said I can't accept that as a charge when he referred to misogyny it's a very very proud to be proud of the GAA and I'm proud of what it is and does he said it's an inclusive organization family oriented organization a progress of one he said a leadership terms both nationally and locally there are countless women he says who play a huge part in guiding and driving the organization so but as they say they are expected to be meeting with the sports and I really do hope that they something becomes of it and I do hope that Mary McLeese stays on because she's really committed and okay people might have got offended by what she said and this whole thing of being accused of misogyny and you know some bridges will have to be built and you know people are going to talk about a humble pie I think but I hope they can get over that because I think she's a woman on a mission and I think she's there for all the right reasons and I think that team that crew she's got with her seems to be there for all the right reasons let them get back to their work but I do I really hand on heart

1:30:28do not accept that the GAA needs another five years I think back down you know you're because that five years will get extended what happens at the end of their five years will be another five yet they have to draw a line because she asked them at one stage she was very clear at one stage they were going into I think it was an arctic sports meeting you know when they when they were meeting and she she asked as one of the arctic meetings she said the GAA was a hundred percent signed up to her and she said she actually asked them going into the meeting with your act as committee are you a hundred percent behind this and they told her absolutely they they were and I should feel so not okay so let's wait and see we'll see if we can get enough attention you know when when these all do you know hopefully eventually a malgamesh like the benefits of it and I think they need to remember I always have that in view when you know and it's unfortunate when things like this happen but it's always as you say if it goes on for another five years and another five years nobody's benefiting from it and you know ultimately they they so

1:31:30much hard work goes into these things so doesn't it we're keeping eye on on how that meeting goes okay now you want to give a plug tonight fork as we don't have traders tonight then add back until next Sunday what we have is the gargle box and it's the celebrity gargle box island and we'll have shabon McSwini so we won't have to go another night later on our screens and she's one of the the celebs that's on celebrity guy who knows she's on the couch with she is on the couch with I would like to say I know who this lady is you might know her quicker than I would I know shabon one second I'm gonna check back here I feel like this you know I could sing a full song for you tonight tell you the title I'm going to oh it's her best friend Jess okay I don't feel so bad now so it's shabon McSwini and her best friend Jess that's fabulous so we'll sing shabon and Jess later you'll see like Claire burn and cure a diority Ricky Tomlinson and Asa Murphy Asa is I'm trying to think Asa Murphy is he I think I know who he is I see the guy that was in sex education in that program is that him no that might be a different guy I'm thinking of Kyla Cobler is on there oh no I

1:32:36guess she Kyla was in the building of the day Ryan toberty and Mark Wogan are on together they'll be fun the lads from my grand-mom as they're going to be on a peting heaven with Lizlcane shabon as I mentioned Kerry Katona and Alice and Spital are on together Fitsy and Lola from Love Island oh well wow they're still together they're still together so there's a load of people so I'm looking forward to it I think it's going to be and this everything is always fun yeah it's always a bit of fun I love that I absolutely love Gaga box it's back on the channel four one is back on I was watching it at last week as well I'm yeah I'm a huge huge fan of I've never really wanted it to be honest I just have a I have a wanted to watch it I discover I I because I know again and I'm watching TV with me we know I talk a lot during television and if there's subtitles I have a very annoying habit with subtitles yes what I do you put on cloaks on and you put the subtitles yeah but you know what I do then with the subtitles I read about loud I'm sure it's between the feet and near hobby's chips

1:33:42I know and then he sits there going I can read as well I go oh sorry and I just I read it out and then whatever's going through my head gets chouchy out going really you really think that's going out next and he's going yeah I can see it as well so yeah you know you have a habit as well of one of spoiling shows you walked in the other day and you said if new Liz gone and then I turned in that tree hadn't seen it yet and you watched about four seasons on on bones it's like having a question and then yeah the bone thing I can't get it all I've I've stopped that I've absolutely stopped that not realizing that there was a load of series I thought there's only the one yeah completely wrong on that one now you and you want to thank you very much you want to find out oh you want to give a plug for a liver screening yeah so Carmel and reception I got onto me earlier so I'm going to run you in about a liver screening that this is listened to your liver now listen is liver Ireland support network and I think we've had them on the show before and they were doing a road show around the country in different parts during free liver screening so quick painless liver scan to help check the health of your liver but they're in Clown Mel

1:34:45but on the poster it had been you know it was TBC to be confirmed to the location but it can say we found it and I know Carmel went back to the listener who got in touch but just for anyone else who might be wondering they're going to be in Clown Mel on Saturday at the showgrounds shopping center and it's a free liver scan and they're there between 10 and 4 10 am to 4 pm you drop in no appointment needed everyone is welcome so just be aware of the queue they said you know they will be there until four but the queue any to close before four to ensure their nurses have enough time to scan everyone already waiting so they're just saying you know arrive early to avoid disappointment that if you were wondering where it's on and Clown Mel on Saturday at the show grounds shopping center Clown Mel listen to your liver friendly I know I know the shopping center while it's at the corner of my house, Kota were used to live and there's loads of car parking and everything so you can find okay what I just want to say I just want to give a shout out to an author a Chloe Wildtister named she's a cork author and she has wrote she wrote a series of books

1:35:49yeah Chloe Wildt she became a sensation on book talk and they are there's an number of books in her series and they're being made into a series so prime video they've released the first look images of boys of Tom and it's the show based on the book series by the cork author Chloe Wildt came as I said took off and the books he doing so well they've released the first images I don't think they've told us exactly when it's coming out but it's basically it follows the forbidden love story of Kavanaugh who's Johnny Kavanaugh's name in the show The Star Rugby Player on the verge of a pro career and a girl called Shannon Lynch the talented was Shai New Girl at the prestigious private school of Tom and college it's an affictional town valley lag in in Ireland and they're both teenagers hiding secrets Johnny potentially querading entry in Shannon the troubled and violent home life and through their secret and highly charged connection the pair from up as it worlds battle against the odds and find a way to save each other there's just so exciting for Chloe Wildt she's and it's based on her first two books binding 13 and keeping 13

1:36:56and the original novel it was self-published in 2018 like how amazing she's self-published and now it's on prime I don't know when it's going to be released for the images the first images are out and it's just I just think it's fantastic I just want to say well don't to Chloe and it's really exciting and she's she's she currently lives in West cork she does yeah is she from my understanding is yeah that she's from cork she's far more cork yeah it's just fantastic like you know she decided one day to sit down and put pen to paper and now look like it's just oh it's fantastic so it's going to say well don't trust really exciting and it's just fabulous like how she's a number of books I mean people are asking is there going to be a number seven in the series so she's a number of books well done well done okay what's coming up on the program tomorrow you're going to be talking to Mick Kelly now Mick is with is the founder of Groot yourself and Mick is warning that Ireland is in danger of food shortages because of the amount we export and the concentration of production in a few areas so he's going to come on tomorrow to share

1:37:56his concerns around that some 90% of food produced here is actually sold abroad with the countries we do import food from our struggling because of the heat the lack of rainfall across the summer across Europe Mick is warning so be interesting to hear from him tomorrow so he's going to join you we're also going to be chatting with Charlie Lillys and Charlie is from Killevullen and Liam McCarthy he's Liam is from the city now they're on they're on a mission at the moment they're walking from Malin to Mison in just 15 days and two years ago Liam he had life alive saving triple bypass operation and the team at C.U.H. you know they gave him a second chance and they're taking on this challenge to help to give something back but he actually Liam actually did the same journey back in 1988 with a friend of his Mick Azzy Kelly they make unfortunately a sense passed away but nearly four decades later um Liam he's known as Tubbs um he's returning to the same road once again he's doing it with Charlie Lillys so they're going

1:38:59to be in and around the Malin area tomorrow I believe so they're going to take a break and have a chat with you on air so they look forward to hearing from them as well and you live doctor Nick Flynn Nick's a GP and he's working with Nick and a few he's speaking with Nick a lot during call for time yes he was brilliant yeah he was really great yeah so he's going to join you tomorrow and this is all to do with him he believes that the next crisis in a GP care in Ireland is infrastructure so he might have enough and GPs but you might not have enough surgeries and practices for them to work out of so he does believe that that's the next crisis facing a general practice okay thank you for that and Merid and Outakes calls by the way if you have a question for Peter Dowdell at the Irish Garden dot com get them in you can call Merid at 0818103103 court today on c103 and the Irish Gardener dot com Peter Dowdell at joining us on this Wednesday afternoon where it's a mixture of sunshine and showers at the moment good afternoon to you Peter good afternoon Trisha it's

1:40:01kind of autumny weather our right isn't it late summer autumn more traditional Irish weather as well yeah yeah and the temperatures have started to ease down a little bit as well which is we're definitely there is definitely and that's sort of a little autumn nip in the air okay still people out and about doing things in their garden let me get into questions Marie was on to say there are this is what she said looks like small apples are growing on my chameleas should I cut them off and also is it too late to cut back my pirus and also chamelea okay first of all they're not small apples so don't under any circumstances go out and eat them what they are is just the seed pods of the chamelea so you're you she describes it correctly they they're they look like kind of hard and shiny small apples that I wouldn't be too concerned about cutting them off or not that if you cut them off if you don't cut them off the plant is putting its energy some of its energy at least into seed production so and if you remove them then the obviously then the plant can so then the

1:41:02plant is sending more energy into kind of leaf production and flower bud production for next year so you possibly will get better flowering next year if you remove them yes but if you don't it's certainly by no means the end of the world and is it too late to prove in the chamelea and the pirus for next year uh were in September yes probably it is in in terms of flowering in in other words if you cut them back now or you're going to lose next spring's flowers you're not going to harm the pirus are the chamelea they'll be fine but you'll just be cutting off the flower buds because next spring's flower buds are already are should already beyond the chamelea roded androns magnolia's pirus all these spring flowering beauties they they've already set their buds are they're doing it at the moment for opening up next spring so if you prune them now you you lose them but you won't hand the plant at all don't worry okay we got this email in from Anne in Middleton high peter and Patricia my query is about a magnolia can I say first it's a very

1:42:02sentimental plant in my garden and as such very precious to me it's now about five feet tall with an equal spread which I have to say has gone very scraggly it's feist to say it needs trimming back to strengthen it and to help it grow unfortunately I've I've planted it on a rockery which means as it grows it will probably become far too big for where it is now first can you advise me when and how to prune the tree secondly can you suggest if I can move it into a more suitable position and terribly what's the best food to feed it with I appreciate that I'm seeking a lot of information any help appreciated did she say Trish you know that did she say how long it was planted there no just that it's grown it's it's five foot in height yes yeah okay so depending on how long a magnolia can be transplanted yes but dependent on how long it's been in there will determine the level of risk of it succeed are it failing are succeeding you know so in other words if it was only planted in there a couple of years and the risk is relatively low but if it's been in there

1:43:05five years or more that the risk gets higher with every year that it's been growing in its current situation so that's the first thing and that the time to do it to time to move a magnolia is really kind of January time really the middle of winter when it's at its most dormant and it gives a chance the plant rather a chance to repair root damage caused during the move before it's actively in growth next spring so that's why you would do it then but as I say that risk becomes quite substantial the older the plant is the risk of it failing so take that advice for what it's worth I don't know it's kind of a personal call then as to whether or not you want to move it and cutting it back is very doable the timing is like I was saying a minute ago for the chameleon and for the piracy it's the same time with the year because the the magnolia has already set its flower buds now for opening up next spring if you cut it back now you're not going to damage your magnolia but you are going to lose some or all of next year's flowers and so if you want to wait and get the benefit

1:44:06of next year's flowers then cut it back directly after that so depending on which which variety of magnolia it is that could be April may or maybe even June and but cut them back directly after flowering but before they start setting the buds for next year in terms of what to feed it I wouldn't be concerned about giving it a kind of a liquid feed running at that that'll leach out of the soil it's all about again improving the soil that it's in improving the soil structure use a biochar plant-based feed like our biochar based plant feed like our own the Irish gardeners new tree char would probably be one of the best that you could use because it's a mixture of biochar and composted poetry manure so that will really help the plant over the next few years I'm particularly if you do move it that then I would definitely put a good bit of that kind of a product in with it when you're moving it hopefully that answers all her questions. Okay well don't well don't now Mary wants to know when is the best time to move roses and a hydrangea and then somebody else wants to know when is the best time to transplant a hydrangea currently in a pot

1:45:10want to put it in the ground so we'll put the two of them in together. Yeah no moving the hydrangea from the pot into the ground is much easier because there's no root disturbance at all you're take you you take it out of the pot and its all root system remains intact in one little root ball so that can be done pretty much any time of the year though I am encouraging everybody now particularly with the way our summers are going the last couple of years if particularly if it's only you're planting one or two plants it doesn't matter but if you're planting a decent part of your garden or if you're redoing your garden do all that planting now the sooner the better and the reason being they will now have all autumn and all winter and all early spring to establish before we get now we might not have anything as extreme next year as we did this year in terms of drought and high temperatures but we might I mean what we with one thing we do know for sure is the temperatures aren't going down anytime soon right so I would try and get all my planting done now in the autumn give plants a chance to establish before they start needing water in in next summer needing us to water the next summer so that's the first thing so you can the

1:46:16pot grown hydrangea grow any any weaker the year really but I would still encourage it to be done now and then in terms of when can you move the hydrangeas and the roses out of the ground and move them somewhere else that has to be done during the dormant period so that has to be December or January time is the best really they'll move they'll both move pretty trouble free being fairness just get as good a root system as you can out with them okay just told off on that question for Peter please how do I trees are dead head the fishing rod plant it's trees saying corpmex cherry I know the fishing rod plant I ram but but how does she treat the dead heads of it the dead flowers how do I treat our dead head so does she just dead head it's oh treat oh yeah yeah yeah so yeah you need to do nothing really you can just let it off and do its own thing so the dead it's beautiful beautiful plant those it'll kind of fairy timbals that hang off the end it's such an act common name yeah it's like an angel's fishing rod it's so apt but anyway and you can absolutely

1:47:16do nothing and those those flowers that flower this summer are now set to seed and the sea it'll set seed quite freely around the place you live little babies coming up which is lovely and but if you want if you don't want babies coming up you could remove those that excuse me Trish sorry excuse me you could remove those dead flower stems and and particularly if you think they're on tidy looking around slightly you could remove them and and then you'll have new flower stems coming next year regardless of whether you let them set seed and die off on their own or whether you take them out yourself regardless of which you do you will have flowers next year so it's up to yourself it's just for tidy and it's really if you want to remove them okay and talking about if you don't want babies coming up anyone has ever planted bamboos will know that they can take over with their little babies and that's happened to one of our listeners how do I get rid of bamboos they've grown very high and they're taken over the garden thank you see I love bamboos yeah I love them but you have to control them you really have to control them they bring so much to the garden they do they bring that kind of a lovely sense of a particular style and movement and the rostle of the leaves yeah I

1:48:19do like them too but I've seen so many problems caused by bamboos I struggled to see the the beauty and the mouth you know what I mean but the answer to the question how do you contain it or how do you remove it the answer is in truth with great difficulty they are not an easy thing to get rid of once they've started taking over you it's just physical really you need to get in there and physically get them out whether that's whether I don't know obviously the garden situation whether it's suitable to get a little mini digger in there or something and get them out you want a depth of about at least two feet of soil to come out with them because their roots will go down that deep and if you're doing it by hand I've no magic one if you're I'm afraid it's just a job of hard hard work and anybody who knows will know that I try to dig through the root system of a bamboo it's like trying to get through concrete it is difficult you need to go outside them and lift them and then once you leave if you leave any bit of the root system at all of course it will regenerate and you'll be back to square one quite quickly yeah so but I don't have an easy answer for I'm afraid I remember a number of years ago being on holidays in Australia and admiring bamboo

1:49:22and I nearly got to foward they treat them as weeds they call them weeds yeah absolutely they're all right listen Peter we leave it there have a great week and we'll chat again next Wednesday I and you Trish talk then thanks a million bye bye that is Peter Dowdell the Irish gardener.com thanks to marade we are back with you tomorrow morning at 10 o'clock