New controls on access to the public gallery in Cork’s City Hall are on the cards after protesters disrupted a council meeting.

Over a dozen gardaí had to be called to Cork’s City Hall last night to end a tense standoff caused after anti-household tax campaigners forced the abandonment of a council meeting.

Demonstrations have taken place across the country today against the Government's proposed Household Charge.

Forty protests will take place nationwide today, in opposition to the Government's water and household charges.