Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

It would be perfectly possible, for example, to introduce a windfall tax on energy companies. A sizable amount of additional tax is being taken in because of inflation in terms of energy and the inflationary impact on goods and services. The Taoiseach talks about expenditure but there is a sizable additional income coming in to the Government as well.

The Taoiseach talks about Putin and discontent but discontent will be sown by not responding well domestically. He must be delighted with the kind of discontent he is sowing outside of the appalling situation in Ukraine. It is important that we do not allow him to do that. That is why it is important that we do not allow this kind of political vacuum to happen. These measures are needed at this point because people are saying they are not managing now. It is not just in the constituency office; people stop me in the street. I am sure the Taoiseach is getting that as well. People are really worried. Those of us who remember inflation rates of 20% or more include many pensioners who are terrified of the winter.

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