Your Politics

Constituents in Dublin South-Central are telling People Before Profit-Solidarity TD Bríd Smith that they're struggling with rising rents and "drowning in debt". She joins the Your Politics team and warns of mass protests, discusses the crisis in agriculture and recalls when one politician tried to get the pig-friendly film "Babe" banned.

Sandra Hurley is at Versailles, as the Taoiseach pushes EU leaders to allow further cuts in fuel taxes. At home, Sinn Féin keeps the pressure on as TD Louise O'Reilly warns of peoples' desolation and fear, the urgent need to get those fuel costs down, and calls on the Government "to stretch themselves" to deliver a satisfactory war-time response.

Fine Gael TD Charlie Flanagan, Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, tells the Your Politics team that he does not support a European Army, but believes that "we can do more". Pointing to Ireland's many friends in Washington, he tackles the Taoiseach's "Jesuitical distinction" on fuel aid, and explains why the Left gets neutrality wrong.

The Russian army - the fourth largest in the world - rolls into Ukraine, riding roughshod over international law. After repeated promises that he would not invade, the Russian President makes his move with inflation rocketing and energy supplies squeezed - meaning sanctions will cut both ways. The Your Politics team assess the latest developments.

Fianna Fáil's Mark Daly, Cathaoirleach of the Seanad, joins the Your Politics team to discuss the "true meaning" of the tricolour, how the UK has upped its game in Washington post-Brexit and why "diplomacy is a contact sport".

As the Government agrees a €290 million plan to combat the rising cost of living, the Your Politics team asks how far it will go in tackling the crisis.

Catherine Murphy, co-leader of the Social Democrats, joins the Your Politics team to discuss the escalating cost of living crisis, remote working in the commuter belt, how the lockdown hit women harder...and the appeal of bi-locating.

The Green Party has been in power for 18 months. So how is it going? Children and Equality Minister Roderic O'Gorman discusses direct provision, the climate agenda and Mother & Baby Homes. With Sinn Féin sure to target his seat in Dublin West, he says their objections to carbon tax would be a "deal-breaker" in any potential coalition talks.

Labour TD Ivana Bacik joins host Paul Cunningham, together with Sandra Hurley and Micheál Lehane, to discuss the "pervasive" fear of male violence, women as a minority in the "shouty" Dáil, and her hopes of not being the only female Labour TD for too long.

After the murder of teacher Ashling Murphy in Tullamore, Sinn Féin's Lynn Boylan speaks about her own experience as a jogger. The Senator also discusses her own political prospects after she ran in the Dublin Bay South by-election, climate policies and taking a break from politics in West Cork.