Thousands of pensioners converged on Leinster House this afternoon to demand the reversal of a range of Budget cuts affecting older people.
Organisers of the protest called on the Government to spare the Bereavement Grant and the Telephone Allowance, which face abolition in this week's Social Welfare Bill.
They also called for the reversal of prescription charge increases and the tightening of the means test for medical cards for over-70s.
Mairead Hayes, CEO of the Irish Senior Citizens' Parliament, which called the demonstration, said she was very pleased with the turnout.
She said 7,000 people were attending.
The Taoiseach this afternoon said he will not resign over the healthcare debacle.
Enda Kenny was called upon by Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams during Leaders' Questions to "go to the people and let them have their say".
Mr Kenny said people would have an opportunity to have their say in 2016.
Following criticism from the Sinn Féin leader over the Health Service, Mr Kenny said Mr Adams clearly had "great faith in Ireland", adding that Mr Adams "went to the States" to have his healthcare sorted.
He said he was glad to see Mr Adams in good health.
Earlier, Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore and Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Brendan Howlin both pledged their absolute support for Minister for Health James Reilly.
Mr Reilly has come under pressure following news that the departments of An Taoiseach and Public Expenditure & Reform will have oversight over plans to cut €666m from the health budget next year.
Speaking ahead of this morning's Cabinet meeting, Mr Gilmore said he "absolutely" supports Mr Reilly and he was doing a very good job reforming the Department of Health, which was "a difficult job".
He said Mr Reilly also had the full support of the Government and would continue in his role.
On the issue of officials from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform working in the Department of Health, the Tánaiste said those officials oversaw the spending in all departments, including his own department.
Asked if there would be any change of mind on medical card cuts, Mr Gilmore said: "No, the Budget stands."
Mr Howlin said Mr Reilly has the full support of every member of the Cabinet.
He said he had confidence in Mr Reilly, saying he was doing a very difficult job well in a very challenging time.
The minister said the Budget had been determined by every member of the Cabinet and that the Government stood "united together".
Meanwhile, Fianna Fáil spokesman on health Billy Kelleher said the party's Private Members' Motion tonight will focus on cuts to older people in the Budget.
He said those who have most should pay most and this did not happen and the Government had targeted the most vulnerable.
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