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

According to page 33 of A Programme for a Partnership Government, the Government "will seek to alleviate pressures affecting household budgets across energy, childcare, medical and insurance costs." The Tánaiste may know that Electric Ireland and PrePayPower have announced price increases for gas and electricity, raising the cost of living further for ordinary working families. This follows on from an increase last year despite the fact that we in this State already have some of the highest energy costs in the EU.

The announcement comes just days after the Government and Fianna Fáil came together to propose imposing carbon tax increases on those who can least afford them. Any increase in carbon taxes on top of the price hikes will hit each and every household. Carbon tax increases will not change behaviour or help the environment, but they will put further pressure on families in the midst of a growing cost-of-living crisis. Will the Government do the right thing and take the prospect of increasing carbon taxes off the table and give those working families a break?

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