Michael Collins (Cork South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

As stated by Deputies Michael Healy-Rae and O'Donoghue, the cost of filling a car with fuel has risen from, roughly, €70 to €90. Last year, a full tank of home heating oil cost €450; it is now €761. Electricity costs are rocketing through the roof, with no understanding of the effects on this on people. This is the cost of the Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil deal with the Green Party. Their nod-and-wink deal with the Green Party to get them across the line and into their nice, polished positions is costing the good living people of rural Ireland. Some 37% of the people of rural Ireland are carrying the rest of the country on their backs. By God, it is a painful carry.

As I said in this Chamber last week, last year the cost of a litre of fuel was €1.10. It is now €1.48 or €1.49. The Government should ask motorists if they are happy about that and if the increase was worth it in order that three super scooter buses could be purchased for the Minister, Deputy Ryan, at a cost of €2.4 million. This is an outrage. Last week, Deputy Bruton said in this House that farmers will have to take the cuts to save other sectors. Is that the Fine Gael way? The roots of Fine Gael must be absolutely crumbling in regard to the comments of the former Minister, Deputy Bruton, which seek only to destroy the very people he should be supporting. Why should the farmers and the people of rural Ireland take the hit to save other sectors or the rest of the country? We cannot continue to do this. Public transport in rural Ireland is on its knees. In most places, there has been no movement on transport in 30 or 40 years. For those in rural Ireland who do not own a vehicle thumbing a lift is the best option. Most people are not a position to run a vehicle. The Government has let down the people in a shocking way. Energy costs are out of control. The retrofit of homes and the energy schemes are at a standstill, with a more than two-year wait for most people. It is an outrageous set-up.

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