Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I want to echo the calls of many in the Opposition benches as we try to get through to Ministers and Government supporting Deputies the depth of hurt the current cost-of-living crisis is continuing to have on families in our communities up and down the country. Quoting macroeconomic figures for inflation growth and the like are meaningless to the working mothers and fathers across Donegal who are struggling to meet their bills and to put food on the table for their children.

Fuel prices are only one aspect of the overall financial strains faced by families who come to my offices in Donegal. That, alongside massive increases in the cost of food, insurance, electricity, phone and Internet charges and the inability to afford to rent or buy their own homes, means many people are left with a deep sense of helplessness and despair. This is primarily driven by the policies pursued by successive Governments under Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, blindly praying at the altar of the false gods of neoliberal capitalism and the free market racketeering fallacy that is rapidly increasing inequality in our society.

The rise of extremism across Ireland is a direct consequence of policy decisions taken by this Government. In Donegal and other Border counties, as well as pushing so many families to the brink, this is having a secondary effect on many small businesses in the fuel retail sector. When I checked with them on my way to Dublin today, cross-Border differences in prices at the pumps ranged from ten to 18 cents per litre. Many of these businesses have written directly to the Minister and, in the cases that have come across my desk, did not receive the courtesy of a reply until prompted by me through parliamentary questions or following up with the Minister's office. I ask the Government to listen to the voices and concerns of people up and down the country that we are bringing to it tonight and to pass the motion. More important, I ask that the Government act on the motion once it is passed.

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