1,500 protest over cuts and Nama

SOME 1,500 people marched in protest at proposed Government cuts and the planned National Assets Management Agency (Nama), in Dublin at the weekend.

One of a series of protests, it was supported by Sinn Féin, the People Before Profit Alliance, a number of socialist groups, trade unions, striking workers and several anti-Lisbon groups, but none of the major political parties, including the Labour Party, was present.

There were also a number of Dublin community groups, the Residents Against Racism campaign, the National Women’s Council of Ireland and protesters against proposed cuts to child benefit.

Among the most passionate of the speakers at Parnell Square, where the protesters gathered, was Theresa Shallow of the Save Crumlin Children’s Hospital Campaign.

“This Government is cutting everything they can get their hands on. €9.6 million is what it would take to put front-line services back into Crumlin hospital. Over €50 billion is what they are giving to bankers and developers.”

Mary Lou McDonald of Sinn Féin said people were “enduring the worst Government ever”.

“They will only go if every man, woman and child in this country is mobilised to come out, to protest, to vote against them, to tell them. University lecturer and member of the Socialist Workers Party, Kieran Allen, told protesters they were “up against the whole political establishment”.

“We have to stop them on behalf of our children. Every single penny of the health budget and the hospital budget is being gambled on Nama.”

The march moved off at about 2pm towards the headquarters of Anglo Irish Bank on St Stephen’s Green. Gardaí said the crowd was good-humoured and caused no trouble. There were a number of chants along the way, including: “They say cuts backs. We say fight back.” and: “Cowen, out. Greens, out. Bankers, out. Developers, out. Nama, out.”