Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)

I ask the Minister does the Government acknowledge that it is the major driver of inflation that is impacting on young families buying houses, pensioners trying to struggle to meet increasing refuse costs and gas bills which for many people increased by €200 over the winter period, the increase in the cost of a bed in a public hospital and the swindling increases in VHI? What does the Minister propose to do? There has been a 61% increase in electricity costs under the Government and today a further 4% increase in such costs has been announced. Does the Minister intend to do anything for people?

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