Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I should probably thank the Taoiseach for his open and shut commitment to market forces and unapologetic presentation of the privatised model. I am astonished by his absolute lack of empathy or understanding for many citizens who, having heard this news, are now panicked and fearful of the charges they will face. The Taoiseach seems to live in another place where inability to pay does not even come onto his radar. This new scheme is designed purely and simply to suit the operators. The option as to what type of scheme will be used falls to the operator rather than the household or consumer.

The Taoiseach openly stated he will do nothing to mitigate the costs for people who cannot afford to pay or to support low income households and households with large numbers of young children. He seems to be happy to wash his hands and walk away from that. I put it to him again that this is the wrong approach to take. I regard it as disgraceful that he would be so indifferent to the experiences of so many people and families.

Having set out from his point of view the strengths of this system, will the Taoiseach tell me and our citizens what the Government will do to support and protect low-income families and large families that are fearful of yet another bill?

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