Michael Collins (Cork South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Everybody should welcome the increase in the threshold. I welcome it. It should be remembered that last week the cost of a bag of coal increased to €7. Most people can no longer afford it. The same applies in respect of home heating oil. We have a crisis in this country regarding the price of fuel. People are turning to the fuel allowance as the only option of being able to heat their homes. Sadly, it is not available to them. The criteria have to change and people's expenses have to be taken into account. I plead with the Minister to take a look at that.

While I have the floor, I would also like to raise with her, in her capacity as Minister with responsibility for rural affairs, the issue of Dursey Island. We are nine days away from no transport on that island. That is a sad situation for the people on the island, in particular the families who have had cattle there since 1969. I have been pleading on this issue with her. She has been pointing the finger at the council and the council has been pointing the finger at her. The people of Dursey Island are falling in the middle. It is scandalous. It is a big issue for us, in particular for me. While I will raise it next week in the House, I would appreciate it if the Minister could comment on the matter this evening.

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