Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú) | Oireachtas source

It is important that as a State, we start to analyse what we are doing to respond to the cost of living. It is interesting that we are having this debate over the wages of people who are on the lowest level of income in the State, and the Government is pouring water on any opportunity to see those incomes rise. That is in stark contrast to the Government's attitude to the likes of Robert Watt, who have experienced increases in their wages of almost €100,000 in a short period. It is amazing that a Minister can pick out of the air an income increase of €100,000 for those in the inner circle of the highest echelons of the public service, yet when it comes to those on the lowest level of income, Ministers push back with regard to any pay rise for them.

I have spoken to citizens throughout the country, including in the constituency in which the Minister of State and I are based, who are facing bills of €700 and €800. Earlier I saw an electricity bill of €1,200 that had been dropped on the doormat of a family home. These families are considering taking out loans to be able to pay for those bills. People do not have that level of money at the ready at home to be able to pay for these bills.

Those bills are skyrocketing at present and the reason they are is in significant part because of the actions of this Government. I have asked the Government to look at having a reduction in VAT. I have spoken to the Minister for Finance, Deputy Donohoe, and the Taoiseach. Both have told me that they have not even asked the European Union for a derogation with regard to the reduction of VAT. A reduction of VAT would overnight allow for the costs of fuel and energy in people's homes to fall. The Government is to pull another lever, that is, the carbon tax, to add further to the cost of families at home as well.

The Government, basically, is shrugging its shoulders saying it does not have the ability to reduce the cost of living but Ireland has one of the most expensive public services. This is seldom discussed. Public services in this country are extremely expensive. A reduction in the cost of public services would help people at the low and middle-income earning levels the most.

The Government needs to get real about the cost of living. Otherwise it has to accede to increases in the level of pay for people who need it.

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