“I was standing by the lifeboats and men were banging into me and knocking the girls. And when we finally got into a lifeboat, other passengers and crew were also trying to jump into the boat. I thought ‘if they land in here we are going to capsize’. “There was no one telling us where to go and it was only when we got on to the island that we got some help – from the islanders. There were no emergency services and the cruise staff had all disappeared. The people of the island were a God-send. “We lost both my husband, Barry, and my father last year. We had decided to take the cruise to lift our spirits after a very sad year and what we thought would be a difficult Christmas for us all. “We had planned to scatter Barry’s ashes when the cruise passed Monaco, because Barry had always wanted to see the Monaco Grand Prix. It’s dreadful but his ashes were lost onboard the Concordia as well as other family heirlooms from my late mother and father. “We have lost so many things that are quite literally priceless. The girls are also now too afraid to be left alone. We have all been deeply affected by what has happened and I also injured my arm during the evacuation of the ship and have had to have medical treatment in Minorca.” Clive Garner, Partner and head of Irwin Mitchell’s International Law Team, who represents Rodgers, her family and an increasing number of other passengers from the ill fated ship, said: “We are continuing to receive enquiries from a growing number of passengers from both the UK and abroad in relation to the Costa Concordia tragedy and are shocked to hear the personal accounts of many of our clients. including the terrible ordeal of Rodgers and her family. “They have clearly been through a terrifying and most traumatic experience and one which may have long lasting effects for them. “With thousands of people on board this huge vessel, the safety of passengers should have been the first and only priority. Tragically, our clients confirm that this was not the case and passengers and their families have paid a very heavy price. “The running aground of the Costa Concordia was terrible enough but this was compounded by the woeful management of the evacuation of the vessel. “As well as the official investigation we are working with colleagues in Italy and maritime safety experts to understand exactly how the Costa Concordia came to run aground. On the evidence currently available there appear to have been a number of serious errors of judgment on the part of the Captain, while faults with the sonar and navigation equipment also cannot be ruled out at this stage.”

San Gil admitted that is always difficult to get the right balance between business and residents’ rights but the council considers that the move will greatly benefit the service sector and will be strictly controlled by the Local Police. “Residents’ right to a good night’s sleep with always come before making a profit,” she stressed.
The opposition Socialists however voted against the proposal claiming that more attention needs to be paid to the needs and rights of residents and , obviously, the opposing four residents associations, used the same arguments.

With regard to the abortion law, Gallardón made it clear that he intended to bring back the 1985 law that allows women to abort up to the 12th week in cases of rape, up to 22 weeks in cases of severe malformation of the foetus, and at any time in cases of proven risk to the mental or physical health of the mother. Current abortion law allows any woman to abort freely up to 14 weeks of gestation.