Thousands of farmers are taking part in a major protest in Dublin against Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) reforms and proposed Budget cuts.
The Irish Farmers Association (IFA) says up to 10,000 people are marching from Merrion Square to the Dáil in the biggest demonstration of its kind in 15 years.
Farmers want the current CAP allocation of €1.6 billion a year maintained along with a ringfencing of the agriculture Budget from further funding reductions.
Throughout the morning bus loads arrived in Merrion Square from around the country to take part in the protest march to the Dáil which is underway.
The demonstration to Kildare Street is being led by half a dozen tractors, a combine harvester and other farm machinery.
Merrion Square South is closed as the 16 agricultural vehicles will travel from Merrion Square to Ely Place, Hume Street, St. Stephen’s Green, Dawson Street and Nassau Street.
Parking restrictions will operate at Merrion Square until 6pm and on Molesworth Street from Schoolhouse Lane to the junction of Kildare Street from 12pm to 6pm.
Kildare Street will be closed from 12:30pm until 4pm.
The AA says long delays are expected.
The Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney says he will meet with some of the protestors to discuss the issues.
The IFA President John Bryan says farmers had no other option than to take to the streets to highlight their concerns.
While several of those taking part in the action explain why they are there.
Some images of the protest can be seen below:
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