Tonight Texts & Emails, Monday 8 March 2010

Topic: The stepping up of public service union industrial action, international women's day, and the resignation of Martin Cullen

Guests: Sheila Nunan (INTO), Sen Ivana Bacik, Ailbhe Smyth (Feminist Open Forum), Eamon Delaney (former editor, Magill Magazine), and Eoin O'Broin (SF)

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Vincent, taxi drivers refused 2 leave the regulators office this evening, because she has ruined the industry. Gardai were called to the scene, any update on this?

Willie O'Dea was great for Limerick, Martin Cullen was great for Waterford, Brian Cowen was great for Offaly. None of them were great in government. Perhaps local politics is all they can manage.

Claire, Offaly

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Can you ask the panel have they any examples of companies here who pay women less than men. Its not that I dont believe it, its just that these companies are breaking the law if they are discriminating with money & I wonder which companies they are & how do they get away with this.

Willie Dawson, Galway.

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Regarding politics the best people should be selected for the positions despite the unequality in gender! Whether it be male or female equal or lopsided! Keith from Cork

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How many people know that origins of international women's day lay in nineteenth century dispute by women garment workers in New York seeking union recognition?

Kieran McNulty, Tralee.

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The public sector unions are enacting their democratic right to work to rule. The unions are a fundamental to workers rights and they are a highly democratising force in society for the ordinary Irish worker. They should not be punished for the collapse in this society when they had nothing to do with it. Dean Baker, the world renowned economist who predicted the downturn, stated today that the Greeks are doing what the Irish did not which is challenging the cuts.

Alan, Raheny

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I didn't vote for any trade union to dictate govenment policy or strategy in the last election

Liam Kilkenny