Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Workers and families are being hammered by hikes in electricity and gas prices. There have been more than 25 increases from the 14 providers in the past year alone. Many thousands face a price hike of more than €400 this winter. That is even before the budget. People are paying through their noses to light and heat their homes. There are thousands of families who fall outside the criteria for social protection. They are under massive pressure right now. Anyone who listened yesterday to the Minister, Deputy Ryan, on the radio would have been panicking because he could not tell people what the Government is going to do, or if it is going to do anything. While there are global factors - the Tánaiste alluded to them - there are things the Government can do. Has this crisis been discussed at Cabinet? Has the Minister, Deputy Ryan, engaged directly with the regulator and called in the providers to address these off-the-wall price hikes?

See this speech in context