Thousands of people marched through Dublin city centre on Saturday 29 March in protest at the state of the health service.

Trade unions, patient and hospital groups called upon the public to join the march to demonstrate their anger and frustration at the Health Service Executive (HSE).

The march went from the Garden of Remembrance on Parnell Square to Leinster House on the afternoon of Saturday 29 March.

Sinn Féin Dáil leader and health spokesperson Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin was among the politicians at the rally.

He said that contrary to the claims of Minister for Health Mary Harney and HSE chief executive Brendan Drumm, health cuts were affecting patient care.

He continued by saying Fianna Fáil and the Green Party had promised improvement in the health service but instead the situation has worsened.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern is under pressure about his finances but the ‘chaos' in the health service ‘is the biggest reason for the Taoiseach to go', Mr Ó Caoláin said.