Irish to protest over austerity plan

Irish to protest over austerity plan: "

Tens of thousands expected on Dublin march against Ireland's four-year plan to cut spending and raise taxes

Tens of thousands of people are expected to take to the streets of Dublin today to protest against Ireland's austerity plan.

The Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) organised the march, saying the four-year plan of spending cuts and tax rises, intended to save the country €15bn (£12.7bn), 'will do irreparable damage'.

The ICTU general secretary, David Begg. said the protest would be good-humoured and well organised, although there were some clashes between demonstrators and police on a march earlier this week.

The protest comes after the government's majority fell to just two yesterday following a crucial byelection defeat.

Sinn Féin's Pearse Doherty took the Donegal South West seat, saying the vote sent a message to the taoiseach, Brian Cowen, to 'get out of office'.

He said the win reflected increasing public opposition to the austerity budget and the €85bn bailout planned for Ireland by the International Monetary Fund and the European Union, which the coalition government is expected to agree to this weekend.

Ahead of the march the ICTU said in a statement: 'If they go ahead with their plans, they will do irreparable damage and turn this country into a social and economic wasteland.'

The four-year plan will take €6bn out of the economy next year and aims to reduce Ireland's proportion of debt to 3% of gross domestic product. It includes major cuts in social welfare and funding for voluntary and community organisations, public-sector job cuts and rises in property tax and VAT."