Hundreds of people have been sending phone and text messages to Fianna Fáil and Green Party TDs and senators from Co Galway to complain about HSE cutbacks as part of a campaign organised by the Labour Party and trade unions.

The campaign has been heavily criticised by Fianna Fáil Galway West TD Frank Fahey who says he will not be intimidated by union leaders.

"The threatening approach being taken by some union leaders is not acceptable to me and I for one will not be bowing to pressure from them," he said.

The Sunday Tribune understands that the idea to bombard government TDs and senators with text messages and phone calls was conceived at a public meeting organised by Labour party councillor and general election candidate Colm Keaveney in Tuam six weeks ago.

"Government TDs have absented themselves from constituencies over the silly season so we have started this campaign across Co Galway as there is an appetite for people to respond and resist HSE cuts," said Keaveney.

"It is a community campaign driven by the Labour party and the trade union movement. I have a database of union members that we can send a global text message to and invite them to text or ring local government TDs about the HSE cuts."

One of the recent messages sent out by the campaign claimed: "Green party Senator Niall Ó Brolcháin is hiding under a stone. Here is his mobile number to tell him how you feel about the cuts in the health service."