class="MsoNormal">

class="MsoNormal">Thousands of farmers will march on the Dáil today against proposals in Europe that could see the Irish allocation of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) cut by up to 30%.

class="MsoNormal">

class="MsoNormal">The Irish Farmers Association (IFA) says the Irish CAP budget for the next 7 years is under serious pressure.

class="MsoNormal">

class="MsoNormal">It is calling on the government to negotiate harder for Irish farmers.

class="MsoNormal">

class="MsoNormal">Currently the farming sector in Ireland gets €1.6 billion a year from the CAP budget and the IFA wants that level maintained until 2020.

class="MsoNormal">

class="MsoNormal">Up to 10,000 people are expected to attend the march which will also see traffic restrictions.

class="MsoNormal">

class="MsoNormal">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.

class="MsoNormal">

class="MsoNormal">They will then finish on Kildare Street for a rally outside the Dáil.

class="MsoNormal">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.

class="MsoNormal">

class="MsoNormal">Kildare Street will be closed from 12:30pm until 4pm.

class="MsoNormal">

class="MsoNormal">The AA says long delays are expected.

class="MsoNormal">

class="MsoNormal">IFA President is John Bryan.

class="MsoNormal">

class="MsoNormal">He says cutting Ireland’s CAP allocation will result in job losses in the agri-sector.