Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the measures that have been introduced. Anything that helps should be prioritised. I welcome the tax and social welfare adjustments and the announcement this week in respect of the €100 credit for account holders. These are important to counter rising costs of living.

I still feel we need to do much more in the longer term. We have seen commentary in recent weeks that energy prices are the main driver of inflation at present. We have seen the road hauliers crying out for relief on fuel costs. Typical home energy costs and motoring costs have increased significantly. Since this time last year, the price of electricity, gas and other fuels has increased by 29%.

Home heating oil has skyrocketed by 71% in just 12 months. Petrol has gone up by 20% and diesel by 29%. All of these increases are having a major impact on households. I ask that we would develop a long-term approach for Ireland to insulate consumers from the volatility on international wholesale energy markets.

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