Ruth Coppinger speaks at Savita protest

Christine Thomas, author of the new book 'It doesn’t have to be like this - Women and the Struggle for Socialism' spoke to Sarah Wrack about why such a book was necessary.

A significant feature of the thousands strong march on 29 September in Dublin to mark International Decriminalisation of Abortion Day was the number of young people, especially young women, who participated – young people who frequently make the point that they are shocked at the backward laws that exist in Ireland in the 21st century and who correctly feel that women should be afforded the basic right to choose when and if they have children.

Protests by asylum seekers around the country highlighted how asylum seekers in Ireland are treated by the system.