National day of protest planned against cuts

Protests are planned for Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick, Waterford, Sligo, Tullamore and Dundalk in the largest campaign undertaken by unions.

“We’ve launched this campaign because we are determined that Government sees that there is a better and fairer way,” Congress general secretary David Begg said.

“The cuts they are pursuing are unfair and will cause economy damage to this country.”

He said November 6 is neither the beginning nor the end of the campaign which will also include town hall meetings and lobbying.

Mr Begg added: “People have this once in a generation opportunity to express their opinion in a very coherent way to the Government because if we wait until the day after the Budget there’ll be no point trying to make our case – the die will have been cast.”

Congress launched its new website, getupstandup.ie, to promote the campaign and called on all members of the public to attend protests.

It is also planning a leaflet drop to every home, as well as media and online campaigns to raise awareness of the issue.

Congress has offered a five-point action plan to help steer the country out of recession.

* It calls for major efforts to reverse the unemployment crisis with union insiders claiming they could strike a deal with employers quickly on this front.

* It has also demanded no income cuts and no social welfare cuts.

* Vital services should be exempt from the Budget cutbacks.

* The issue of house repossessions needs to be addressed before about 30,000 homeowners fall into arrears.

* The billions of wealth created in the boom should be examined, asking whether there are options to restructure taxes or bring in windfall levies.

Congress leaders will return to talks with the Government in a week’s time.