Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The Minister talks about understanding the anxiety that is out there. I can tell him that for the people I represent and to whom I speak, their anxiety levels went through the roof when they saw him on their television screens saying, "Let me be clear: I am not planning any additional measure to support you, your household or your family until at least the budget." This was on the same day that Bord Gáis Energy increased the cost of gas by up to 40% and electricity by nearly 30%. Other suppliers will follow suit.

The Minister talks about what he has done. I ask him not to listen to me but to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, which has said it is not enough. Social Justice Ireland has said it is not enough. Organisations that advocate for older people, including ALONE, have said it is not enough and that he needs to do more. People who are depending on social welfare are poorer now and are wondering how they will get the extra hundreds of euro needed to heat their homes or put food on the table for them and their families. They are looking to the Government, which has a responsibility to act in the national interest and to protect those who are most vulnerable from this spike in inflation. The Minister is refusing to act. He has the power and ability to do so now. Instead of increasing the cost of home heating oil, which he plans to do on 1 May, let him reduce it.

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