Ictu to stage protest over bank debt

Trade unions are hoping that up to 100,000 people will take part in demonstrations around the country on Saturday week in support of a deal to lift the country's debt burden.

The rallies, to be held in Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick, Sligo and Waterford, on February 9th are being organised by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions. However Congress has also invited other community and voluntary groups to participate.

Congress general secretary David Begg said the action was targeted at European authorities rather than the Government.

He said Congress wanted to see the implementation of the agreement reached by European leaders last June on the separation of bank debt from sovereign debt. Congress is also seeking that a deal to be cut on the promissory notes.

Mr Begg said unless the enormous burden of debt was lifted there was no chance at all that the country would get through the current economic crisis.

He said previous large-scale rallies organised by Congress had attracted between 80,000 and 100,000 participants. He said he was hopeful that between the six venues, the rallies planned for Saturday week would see a similar number take part.