Dublin , Ireland ( CNN ) -- Tens of thousands of people demonstrated on the streets of Dublin , Ireland , on Saturday against the government 's austerity plan . Irish police estimated the number taking part in the largely peaceful demonstration to be about 50,000 . The protests were organized by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions ( ICTU ) , which has called the four-year plan for spending cuts and tax hikes `` savage and regressive . '' Irish police said a comprehensive policing plan has been put in place `` in order to facilitate a peaceful march . '' Groups of eight to 10 police officers were seen at several key intersections , monitoring the activity . Families , pensioners , the unemployed and members of unions and community groups were among the demonstrators who braved a rare dusting of snow to come out Saturday , the ICTU said . The marching route took protesters along the River Liffey to a Dublin landmark , the General Post Office . Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen announced the plan this week after agreeing to a bailout package from the International Monetary Fund and European Union , needed to tackle Ireland 's massive debt . The plan saves 10 billion euros ( $ 13.4 billion ) through welfare cuts and an additional 5 billion euros ( $ 6.7 billion ) through higher taxes . There will be reductions in the minimum wage and public-sector pay , and a hike in the value-added tax on goods and services , Cowen said . The plan calls for introducing water meters , making students pay more for higher education , and requiring more Irish workers to pay income tax . Trade unions complain the plan unfairly targets lower-paid workers , while making no provision for a tax on asset wealth . They say it fails to explain how the Irish people can carry the banks ' massive debts and sets out no strategy for creating jobs . `` People are angry and they 've had enough of this government , '' local journalist Juliette Gash told CNN . `` They 're furious because they feel like the government has handed over the keys to the country . '' Journalist Peter Taggart contributed to this report .
Around 50,000 demonstrate in Dublin . The plan saves 15 billion euros through welfare cuts and higher taxes . Ireland 's prime minister says it is needed to tackle the country 's massive debt . Trade unions call the plan `` savage and regressive ''