Galway one of six cities to host major protest against bank debt burden

GALWAY is to host one of six major demonstrations organised by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions on Saturday, February 9 to demand a resolution of Ireland's bank debt problem. The protest is expected to attract large members of the public who are angry and frustrated at the €64 billion debt being paid to EU banks, while economic recovery and job creation continue to struggle. The Galway march will depart from Cathedral Car Park at 1.30 pm and make its way through the streets of the city before culminating in a rally in Eyre Square. Other rallies will take place simultaneously in Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Sligo and Waterford.[private] The head of Congress, General Secretary David Begg, said new Eurostat figures showed that Ireland had paid more in absolute terms than any other EU state to prop up the banks and called for the commitment on bank debt made at an EU summit last June to be honoured. 'It is very clear to Congress that no matter what sacrifices we make, there is no hope of recovery until this burden is lifted,' he said. 'This debt was transferred onto the shoulders of the Irish people without any consultation, while the European Central Bank insisted that â€Ëœno bank should fail' and sent us the bill. 'The trade union movement is organising these protests to allow people from all walks of life in Ireland to send a clear signal to the government and Europe: we cannot continue on this senseless path simply to repay debts run up by reckless, private banks.' [/private]