Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I have to thank the Minister and his Government for not raising the taxes any further. We recognise that the price of oil is going up worldwide. Heating oil is up by 30% and fuel costs generally are up somewhere around 25%. It is my duty to represent the people who are hurting as a result of the exorbitant cost of the fuel they must use to get to work and to do their everyday business. They are really hurting. It is not wrong of me to ask the Minister and the Government to do something to help those who do not have public transport and have no other means of transport other than their motor car. Young and old are affected and with the cost of insurance and everything else it is practically impossible. Many families that need a second car are losing the second car because they cannot afford it with all the costs, and wages and social welfare have not gone up to meet those costs.

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