ICTU officials to meet EU/IMF delegation before protest rally

Officials from the Irish Congress of Trade Unions will meet members of the EU/IMF delegation this morning to warn them against approving the Government's austerity plan.

The trade unionists claim the four-year strategy will drive us deeper into poverty as they say it fails to promote investment or economic growth.

They will argue that Ireland should be given longer than the EU-imposed deadline of 2014 to reduce its deficit to 3% of GDP.

It comes ahead of a major protest against the cutbacks in Dublin tomorrow.

ICTU President Jack O'Connor said Ireland and other debt-ridden EU countries needed more time to make up the shortfall.

He said: "The euro could be saved if they allowed a longer time within which the stressed countries could effect an adjustment."

Meanwhile, up to 700 gardaí are being deployed to police tomorrow's ICTU protest.

Tens of thousands of people are expected on the streets of Dublin for the march.