More than 350 farmers have demonstrated in Ballinasloe, Co Galway, over Government curbs on the Rural Environmental Protection Scheme.
The protest was organised to coincide with the Taoiseach's official opening of the Athlone to Ballinasloe section of the Dublin to Galway motorway project.
Farmers have said closing entry to REPS will devastate the livelihood of farmers in the west of Ireland.
They said there would be savage backlashes at the next election.
