Politics - Irish democracy 'is unfinished'

Ireland ranks an appalling 84th in the world when it comes to women in politics, a Labour senator said yesterday. Ivana Bacik (right) said that legislation will be necessary if the representation of females is to be addressed within this country. She said: "Our position has actually worsened over the last decade, and this lack of democratic representation means that our democracy is effectively 'unfinished'."

Industrial Affairs - Strike action in frame at National Gallery

A BITTER dispute between staff and management at the National Gallery of Ireland seems certain to end in strike action. Workers at the National Gallery have voted for a 24-hour strike action because they claim management has failed to implement a Labour Court recommendation on working arrangements. Siptu organiser Colm O'Gorman said: "Refusal to engage in meaningful discussion has left the staff concerned with no alternative other than to strike."

Social Affairs - Trocaire calls for new financial tax

TROCAIRE has called for the introduction of a special tax on financial institutions which could generate hundreds of billions of euro each year to combat global poverty. A tiny tax of just 0.05% could generate up to $400bn each year, three times the current total aid levels, it said. Trocaire director Justin Kilcullen (above) said: "Governments bailed out banks and financial institutions using taxpayer's money. Now it's time for the banks to contribute."

Social Affairs - Kidney Association appeals for donors

THE Irish Kidney Association appealed yesterday for people to sign up for donor cards as 500 people await kidney transplants. The appeal came as a major international conference on renal care was opened yesterday by President Mary McAleese at Dublin's new convention centre. Mark Murphy, CEO of the Irish Kidney Association, said people just had to freetext the word DONOR to 50050 to receive a donor card.