Patricia Ryan (Kildare South, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the opportunity to speak on this motion. I find it quite ironic, however, given the role of the Labour Party and its austerity agenda, which caused so much hardship for the people of south Kildare and the Portarlington area of County Laois.

While it was in government, the Labour Party presided over a range of savage cuts such as the removal of the bereavement grant, the increase in the pension age, a doubling of the student contribution fee, the cutting of rent allowance and child benefit and the introduction of water charges and local property tax. I could go on but my time is limited. In the words of one of my constituents during the previous election, the Labour Party became more blueshirt than the Blueshirts themselves.

This motion means well, however, and comes hot on the heels of a Sinn Féin motion on the cost of living. Our motion was critical of the Government's approach but also proposed a range of solutions that, if implemented, would turn the tide in favour of struggling workers and their families. I support this motion notwithstanding the Labour Party's track record in government.

Many people who attend my clinics are at breaking point. There are families who make the choice between food and fuel on a weekly basis. We are living in the 21st century but families are living in circumstances that belong in a Charles Dickens novel from the 19th century. Charities like the Society of St. Vincent de Paul are literally saving lives. They are taking the place of the State in supporting vulnerable citizens who are being left behind by this Government. It is wrong; the Minister knows it is wrong and it must change.

Urgent action is needed to address the cost-of-living crisis. Our older people have been given minimal increases in their pensions. The reality is that multiples of the increase will be taken back in a stealth of carbon taxes and everything else. A fiver increase has been swallowed up by the doubling of utility bills. The Minister and everyone else knows it is not sustainable.

Finally, I will say a brief word on minimum alcohol prices. Alcohol is not an essential item but it might as well be for some low-income families with addiction issues. I understand the intent behind it and we should be doing more to encourage a reduction in alcohol consumption. The mind boggles at the way in which the Government has introduced minimum pricing instead of increasing excise duty and ring-fencing the money to address addiction and the harm caused by excess alcohol consumption. This Government has handed a gift to alcohol manufacturers and sellers. It is out of touch and running out of time. Things will not change until we have a change of government.

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