Ireland's budget protests continue

Over 2 weeks after Ireland’s controversial budget the protests continue in Dublin. Last week 15,000 pensioners marched to the Irish Parliament (Dail Eireann) in protest against a decision to remove free medical care for citizens over 70. The government decision to modify the proposal did not mollify the protestors. A public meeting was so over crowded that it was transferred to a Catholic church at short notice where over 1,500 pensioners shouted down a government minister who tried to address the angry crowd.

Later 10,000 students encouraged by the elderly protestors took to the streets in opposition to the government decision to increase college registration fees by 40%. On Wednesday of this week 12,000 teachers and parents protested outside in support of an opposition motion calling for education cuts to be reversed. The motion was defeated despite the minority partner in Ireland’s coalition government, The Green Party, having a commitment that additional funding would be spent on tackling Ireland’s educational disadvantage. Ireland has been consistently cited in OECD reports for having excessive class sizes at primary school. OECD reports have also indicated that Ireland should impose 3rd level college fees but students point to the double standard of Ireland’s selective approach to the OECD reports.

Government plans to sack 1,200 teachers and to increase pupil teacher ratio to 28:1 at primary level and 19:1 at second level contradict the same government’s policy of reducing these ratio’s in the last number of years. English language teachers targeted at immigrant children are also set to fired a plan defended by Ireland’s Minister for Integration.

Brian CowenBrian Cowen’s government have now a temporary reprieve from the pressure. Media attention has now focused on another U-turn. A plan to increase the age at which disability benefit may be paid has been put on ice after groups representing the disabled protested. The government now is expected to face the wrath of farmer’s angry that payments have been cut for those farming in disadvantaged areas. Farmers in Ireland are well organised and another large demonstration on the streets of Ireland’s capital is expected. Government backbench TD’s are under regular pressure however given the poor poll rating of the main government party any suggestion that the government might call early elections are being discounted.

The controversey about Ireland's 2009 budget rumbles on. Protests continue.