Demonstrators march outside Leinster House

Around 1,500 people have taken part in demonstrations outside Leinster House to coincide with the start of the new political term.

Members of various organisations, trade unions and community groups protested on Kildare Street - in opposition to bank bailouts and Budget cuts.

The Irish Organisation of the Unemployed formed a symbolic dole queue to highlight the number of people on the Live Register.

Meanwhile ICTU President Jack O'Connor is accusing the Government of deliberately allowing the unemployment crisis to escalate in order to drive down wage costs.

Hundreds of people were also attending trade union rallies in Belfast and Derry against spending cuts.

ICTU assistant general secretary Peter Bunting told crowds in Belfast that the burden of the crisis should not be loaded on the poor.