Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Workers and families are under intense pressure as a result of the spiralling cost of petrol, diesel and home heating oil, as are businesses, the economy and society as a whole. We all know the causes of these price spikes, which are fuelled by the brutal invasion of Ukraine. The Government can and must act to reduce prices for fuel and energy. We are experiencing a very fragile recovery that is already threatened by consistently higher prices than forecast and now the turmoil caused by the Russian attack on Ukraine.

This brutal attack has rightly provoked sanctions from the EU and others. An Taoiseach has reminded us on more than one occasion that these sanctions will not be cost-free for people living in the EU. Their impact must be considered on workers, families, businesses, the economy and our society. People must be protected, as must be hauliers, farmers and other businesses. It is not just the fuel crisis that poses a threat to workers, families and businesses. The rising costs of housing, rent, utilities and fuel, fuel shortages and possible fuel rationing and continued inflation and stagflation are also significant threats. The Government must do all it can to tackle these problems. My colleague, an Teachta Doherty, has outlined in detail the steps the Government can take this evening if it is minded to do so.

There is genuine concern among workers who will not be able to fill their cars to get to work no matter what speed they are travelling at. We have already heard concerns from workers who have been threatened with temporary lay-offs because of the impact of the spiralling costs. The Government should be seriously considering the reinstatement of the work-from-home advice because at least that would take some pressure off people who are genuinely worried about being able to put a fill of diesel in the car.

In north County Dublin, around 40% of the homes are heated using heating oil. The failure to reduce the cost of home heating oil is one of the meanest and nastiest decisions that has been taken in this House in recent times. An Teachta Doherty has tabled amendments that will, if accepted, reduce the cost of home heating. There are families who will sit in the cold, not have a warm shower and sit in misery because of the Government's decision. We have provided the Government with an alternative. It cannot say there is none; we have outlined it in detail.

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