Thousands gather in Dublin to voice their dissatisfaction with the health service.
The protest was organised by the Dublin Council of Trade Unions and the youth committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions. Protesters voiced their concerns over cut backs, the two tier health system and the trolley crisis.
Trade Unionists, politicians, health care workers, patients and the public all took part in the march.
The march began at Parnell Square led by Conor McLiam who carried a photo of his wife Susie Long. Susie Long died last year from cancer which she had to wait seven months to have diagnosed. Conor McLiam spoke about the many people who die anonymously awaiting a diagnosis or treatment. The protest went to Leinster House where speaker after speaker lambasted the Health Service Executive (HSE) and the government demanding change. Peader McMahon of Monghan Community Hospital demanded that Minister for Health Mary Harney listen to the demands of the people.
In response to the protest, a spokesperson for the Minister for Health said that an extra one billion euro is being spent on the health system this year and that the overall spending on public health is above many other European countries. They also said that the government Health Forum is working with trade unions to improve health services.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 29 March 2008. The reporter is Will Goodbody.
