Several hundred people from Monaghan protested outside the Dáil yesterday over plans to reduce services at Monaghan General Hospital.
The rally, which lasted almost two hours, was organised by Monaghan county councillors and the Monaghan Hospital Community Alliance.
People from all over county Monaghan travelled for the protest, which is to be the first of a number to take place in the capital. A cavalcade "of a specific nature" is due to travel to Dublin after Christmas, which could cause significant disruption to traffic.
Peadar McMahon of the Monaghan Hospital Community Alliance refused to reveal further details about the cavalcade at this stage. However he said the people of Monaghan were going to continue their protests until the Government changed its policy on downgrading Monaghan Hospital.
He said a meeting of hospital action groups across the State will also take place to discuss a common strategy.
While the rally continued, members of Monaghan County Council met the Minister for Children, Brian Lenihan. They had sought a meeting with Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, but he was unavailable and sent Mr Lenihan to meet them instead. Mr Lenihan promised to relay their views to Mr Ahern.
A report published in September recommended all acute inpatient services at Monaghan be suspended as soon as possible.