Minister attends union protest

Hundreds of people attended the Belfast rally

The Health Minister has attended a rally held in Belfast to protest against cuts to the health service.

Trade unions described Michael McGimpsey's attendance as "extraordinarily significant".

Several hundred people attended the City Hall rally which was one of 10 being held across Northern Ireland.

The Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) has organised a National Day of Action across Ireland to protest at public sector cuts.

Demonstrations in Northern Ireland are also being held in Armagh, Ballymena, Craigavon, Coleraine, Londonderry, Magherafelt, Newry, Omagh and Enniskillen.

About 100 people attended the protest in Derry.

The health minister stood alongside health service workers as speakers condemned cuts which mean health trusts have to find 3% efficiency savings in their budgets.

"Fundamental support"

About 100 people attended the protest in Derry

He said that it was important for him to attend.

"The health service is struggling to provide all that it does for the people of Northern Ireland and these folks here today are giving a very strong message which I fundamentally support," Mr McGimpsey said.

Patricia McKeown from the public sector union, Unison, said she welcomed the Minister's attendance.

"It's make your mind up time. Are we going to protect frontline public services and particularly vulnerable people in our society?" she said.

"If the minister for health is saying that he supports what the trade union movement is saying about what is important then that is something to celebrate and it is something we want from the rest of our ministers."

Ironic

BBC Northern Ireland health correspondent Marie-Louise Connolly said the minister's appearance would seem "ironic to some".

"It will be the health minister who will have the final say on what is to be saved and what is to be cut," she said.

Protests also tok place in eight towns and cities in the Irish Republic, including the capital, Dublin.

The ICTU is opposed to the Irish government's economic strategy, which it says will inflict unfair hardship on the working people and the vulnerable in society.

Employers' groups in the Republic are opposed to the protests.