DUBLIN, Ireland - Thousands of people marched in Dublin's city center on Saturday, protesting rising living costs.

Marchers congregated in Parnell Square before proceeding down O'Connell Street, around College Green, and to Merrion Square, where speeches were delivered.

The march was organized by the Cost-of-Living Coalition, which is supported by a number of organizations, including labor and student unions, as well as the opposition parties Sinn Fin, People Before Profit, and the Social Democrats.

Earlier in the day, Leo Varadkar, the Tnaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade, and Employment, said he understood why people were protesting, given the rising cost of living and eroding incomes.

Varadkar stated that the Government will make a "very significant" intervention with the Budget this week to assist people and their families and that the results will be in their pockets in a matter of weeks.

He stated that assistance would be provided in addition to one-time measures throughout the coming year.