ICTU: Four-year plan could cost 90,000 jobs
Trade union leaders have said today that the Government's four-year austerity plan will cost 90,000 jobs.
The Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) claimed that there is nothing in the plan to promote investment and that it will fail.
Congress leaders said the national protest march planned for this Saturday will be the last chance for the public to express their anger and influence the budget.
General Secretary David Begg has dismissed fears that the march could be disrupted by violence.
"Trade Union marches are very orderly," he said.
"We've had about three or four of them in the last two years and there's never been any trouble.
"They tend to be family outings and there's no place on them for people that want to cause disruption.
"We've taking all the precautions…We have very large numbers of trained stewards on duty. We have constant liaison with the Gardaí.
"We've taken every precaution that it doesn't happen and I'm confident that it won't happen."
