HOPE HIMALAYAN WALK 2006

TRYING to unscramble my brain after travelling to Calcutta with the Hope Foundation on their Hope Himalayan Walk 2006. It's well named. The marginalisation of thousands of people and the sight of such poverty was ameliorated by sparks of hope in the classrooms, and clinics and co-ops that the Hope Foundation supports. Coming back to the usual business in the Dail was a bit of a culture shock.

But it was all systems go wit the Nursing Homes scandal blowing up again. And the decision of the High Court on frozen embryos case provides an opportunity for legislation on Assisted Human Reproduction. In both cases legislation is long overdue. I want to facilitate the progress of this legislation but so far the government haven't produced the goods.

THE CAKE SALE

LAST year I was very pleased to open the newly refurbished Oxfam shop in Bray which continues go from strenght to strenght. Even the baby steps of buying fairtrade coffee and tea, fairtrade chocolate or random gifts (they have really lovely jewellery and bags) helps to support ethical shopping. But now I notice there's an online shop and I wanted to do a blog plug for it - . Also, I wanted to let people know about The Cake Sale - The Cake Sale is a band featuring a loose and expansive collective of musicians and writers who have combined to create a 9-song CD of the same name on Oxfam Records. All profits will go to support Oxfam’s Make Trade Fair campaign and our overseas programme work. Songs on the album have been written by Dave Geraghty, Emm Gryner, Paul Noonan, Glen Hansard, Ollie Cole, Damien Rice, Conor Deasy and Matt Lunson.

Lead vocalists for the project include Lisa Hannigan, Nina Persson, Gary Lightbody, Gemma Hayes, Glen Hansard, Josh Ritter, Conor Deasy and Neil Hannon.



See more about The Cake Sale at: www.thecakesale.com


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