Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

With respect to the Deputy, he made a point that many of the measures that we brought in are general. That is true, but at the same time he has criticised me for those general measures not being big enough. I am sorry I was not present at the debate on the Finance (Covid-19 and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2022 recently. I was here making a presentation. I am sure the Deputy was saying that the general measures, which he noted that he and I benefit from, should have been bigger and more generous. I will not benefit from, nor should I, and I am sure the Deputy will not benefit from the fuel allowance payment that has been brought in, the additional €100 which will be added on top of the €125, or the working family payment, which is also a targeted measure. Targeted measures have been brought in. Looking at where we are now, compared with where I thought we would be on budget day, it just was not possible for anybody to forecast what would happen early in the new year with Ukraine, let alone the impact it would have on inflation this year. I know things have changed for the worse for many and I have brought in many additional measures since 1 January.