Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

What is happening in this Chamber is definitely an insult. It is an insult to the people of Ireland, the working people. It is an insult to the farmers who put so much into producing good food and who have abided by every rule and regulation. What the Government has announced here today will make no material difference. I have no personal gripe with the Minister of State whatsoever but does it not tell it all that the Government has a man who suggested we should bring back wolves? There are enough wolves around barking at every fellow’s door and people trying to stay going. In case the Minister of State does not know it, millions of euro of work has been postponed or cancelled. Hundreds of jobs are being put on hold because people cannot tender or see a way to carry on. To offer a reduction of as little as 2 cent is a shame and disgrace.

There is something else happening here as well, of course. We need to get accountability. Where is the regulator? The price of green diesel has almost crept up to the price of white diesel. There needs to be accountability but whatever is done is being taxed the Government. It is talking about putting up the carbon tax again in May. Other countries have imposed a cap to ensure people know where they are going and to ensure certainty. The increase is too much of a jump in a short time. It is an insult to farmers.

What about the elderly who are trying to heat their homes? They have also got a reduction of 2 cent.

God almighty, the Minister of State will have to review this and be fair about it. The Government must admit that since the Lanesborough and Shannonbridge power stations were closed down, the price of electricity has gone up weekly. It is 38% or 39% more than it was before the Government closed down those two power stations. What are we doing? We are here one day castigating Putin and every day we are buying coal from him to keep Moneypoint going. That is the truth. That is the God's gospel truth. It is a shame because Europe and our country have been built up. Putin should not be anywhere doing the harm that he is. He should not have been put in a position where he was so powerful that he could do that.

I welcome the payment to the healthcare workers. I believe it is unfair that some are deemed ineligible for the payment either because they were sick or had Covid. That must be looked at. Surely, the Minister will see the light there.

Of course, the Government does not want Shannon LNG. The Tánaiste says he has other plans. When will they materialise? We need gas at the present time. We should be able to buy gas from the USA, or people that are inclined to sell it to us at a reasonable price. The Government does not want Shannon LNG. It would create jobs for people in County Kerry and, in particular, north Kerry, as well as provide energy security.

The Acting Chairman never put up a finger to anyone else. Why is he putting up a finger to me now? I still have time on the clock.

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