Peter Fitzpatrick (Louth, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I stated many times in the Chamber that the people of Ireland need help and they need help now. The main issues that are continuously being raised in my constituency office are the cost of living, housing and health. I have raised these issues with the Government and expressed my disappointment. On the cost of living, we need to cut taxes for those on middle and low incomes and increase social welfare in the upcoming budget. We need to continue the supports and reductions on the cost of energy by reducing VAT on gas and electricity and the public service obligation levy; cutting the cost of public transport and children's school transport, and the cost of putting food on the table; do and much more on top of the extra €75 lump sum for recipients of fuel allowance.

As I said in the Chamber last week, I welcome the €2.4 billion in cost-of-living measures, but help is needed and it is needed now. On housing, we need to build more houses and make them more affordable. We need more rental accommodation and to get unoccupied and vacant properties back into the housing stock. The Government has a housing plan, Housing for All, which sets out to deliver 300,000 new homes by the end of 2030, including 90,000 social houses, 36,000 affordable purchase homes and 18,000 cost-rental homes. Families, at present, are working just to pay for their mortgage or rent. We need to help them, and we need to help them now.

We must make the Government keep its promises and we must follow up on the allocation of €165 billion towards housing, climate change and balanced regional development. Families need a home and stability, and children need a home. I look at all these vacant houses lying idle beside schools and medical centres. It is very important to give a few euro to the local authorities to put families in these houses, as soon as we can.

On the issue of health, we must not forget that Ireland had one of the most successful Covid vaccination programmes in the world. In fairness, the Government provided €48 billion to the economy and society, which was very welcome, and we all worked together. However, with the largest budget in the history of the State in 2022, it is still disappointing that we see so many patients on waiting lists. Some €350 million has been provided to deliver additional activities under the Government's waiting-list action plans and I will chase after it to see how this money is spent. With an additional 847 permanent beds in the past three years, we do not seem to see their impact, but I welcome the reduction of the drugs payment scheme threshold from €124 to €80 and a successful vaccination roll-out.

I have spoken to many constituents and businesses in my area who are concerned that Sinn Féin will get into power. They say Sinn Féin is full of promises and is always throwing the toys out of the pram when it does not get its own way. Its record in the North on housing, health, homelessness and the cost of living speaks for itself and, again, no Assembly has been elected.

The Government parties have to show me that they are fully aware of the impact of the rise in prices on households and businesses and I will work closely with them over the coming months to make sure they gets the help they need. I have represented the people of Louth and east Meath for nearly 12 years. I have always been open and transparent. Since I became an Independent three years ago, I always take into consideration my constituency and I am not just here to push buttons. I will do my best for them.

It is important that we all work together like we did during the pandemic and put this wonderful country first. The last thing we need is for the Government to collapse and a general election be called, which will mean no budget until 27 December and a lengthy election similar to the last one. People need help and they need it now. I will vote confidence in this Government. I will hold it to account and make sure that it keeps its promises. I will always stand up and be counted. It is my duty, as an elected representative, to represent my constituency as best I can.

See this speech in context