‘Is there anyone that can tell us the truth?’

There were too many people at the social welfare office for comfort, and they didn’t look happy.

As Enda Kenny’s car pulled up outside the offices in Sligo town he faced a barrage of heckles and jeering, making it increasingly difficult to remain serene as he pulled on his jacket.

As many as 60 protesters had gathered, but they were exercised by more than one issue.

In addition to the more vocal group brandishing People Before Profit posters, there were others voicing their ongoing concerns over cancer services in Sligo.

Among them were Catriona McGoldrick, a cancer patient, and Deirdre O’Sullivan. Catriona just last week travelled to Galway for an annual mammogram, and this week her letter advising her about next year’s appointment — also in Galway — arrived.

This was directly in contrast to promises last year by Fine Gael’s junior minister John Perry and neither of the women were happy.

“He has gone into hiding,” Ms O’Sullivan said of Mr Perry. “He has gone underground.” Ms McGoldrick said: “Is there a person in this Government that can come out and tell us the truth?”

The Taoiseach engaged with more than one protester as he attempted to climb the steps up to the welfare office. Other protesters campaigned on the issue of home helps. One woman presented the Taoiseach with a petition asking that the HSE reverse cuts in that area. Cancer campaigners chanted “liar”, and one man who seemed to be under the impression that Mr Kenny was here to open the building gave him some earache.

Later Mr Kenny stressed the tight purse strings, the need for stability and the requirement to escape the yoke of the troika deal as quickly as possible. He said Ireland could be the first country to leave a bailout and thereby serve as a model to others.

But the reception must have reminded him that everywhere, problems pop up. The welfare office is opposite MacSharry Park and for many of those demonstrating, they have already felt the cuts in the hometown of Mac the Knife.