Parents march against maternity hospital cutbacks

Parents and health professionals are taking to the streets of Dublin today, to protest against planned cuts in hospital maternity services.

The medical manpower forum has drawn up plans which could close all specialist hospitals and most general hospitals around the country.

Marie O'Connor of the National Birth Alliance is very concerned that this could result in the closure of the country's 22 maternity units.

The alliance spokesperson says that this will have serious repercussions. Today the group are holding a march beginning at the Garden of Remembrance on Parnell Square at 2pm.