SF seeks to mobilise Budget protesters

Protests are to take place tomorrow outside the constituency offices of Government ministers over Budget measures.

Protests are to take place tomorrow outside the constituency offices of Government ministers over Budget measures.

Sinn Féin, which is organising the demonstrations, called on local communities to join its campaign to reverse cost-cutting proposals hitting pensioners, students and low-income families.

The party has said it will picket the offices of 15 ministers, including Tanaiste Mary Coughlan, who has a constituency office in Donegal Town, Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan, in Castleknock, Dublin and Minister for Defence Willie O'Dea in Limerick.

Taoiseach Brian Cowen will not be picketed because he is still out of the country. Minister for Health Mary Harney will also be excluded from the protests because her weekend constituency clinics are held in pubs in Clondalkin and Lucan and Sinn Fein did not wish to disrupt trade there.

The party said it will back next week's Labour Party Dáil motion calling on the Government to reverse its decision to increase the pupil-teacher ratio in primary and secondary schools.

Taoiseach Brian Cowen admitted yesterday that the handling of the medical cards issue affected his authority but added that revised proposals showed responsive leadership.

Teachers' unions will be protesting at Budget cuts outside the Dáil on Wednesday evening as TDs debate the Labour Party motion.

The Irish Farmers Association is also holding public meetings in Co Cavan and Co Cork next week. IFA President Padraig Walshe claims Budget cuts will hit 60,000 low-income farming families.

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Age Action Ireland has also urged older people urged to lobby Government TDs and Senators to demand the reversal of the decision to abolish the automatic entitlement to the over-70s medical card.

"Many TDs and Senators believe this issue is over and that the public  protests by older people have fizzled out," Age Action spokesman Eamon Timmins said. "But an increase in the income thresholds is no substitute for the restoration of this important entitlement to everyone over 70."