Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I support Deputies Doherty and Farrell's motion. This is a targeted motion to help people at a time when the cost-of-living crisis is overwhelming for ordinary families. We know the Government cannot solve everyone's crisis, including the cost-of-living crisis, but it can make a difference to ordinary families who need support. That is what this motion would do. What we are proposing to the Government is a solution. The pressure ordinary families are under and their struggle to pay their bills is recognised across the House.

I listened to the Taoiseach today while he spoke to our party president, Deputy McDonald. He stated that the hikes were happening to control inflation. The problem is that all bills have gone up, including gas, electricity and food. Mortgage interest rates have increased, especially for tracker mortgages and those on variable rate mortgages. There are people on fixed-rate mortgages that will come to an end this year. They are terrified because they do not know where they will get the money to make up the difference to pay their mortgages. The scheme is a short-term and targeted measure to help such people.

Many people are looking to the Dáil and the Government for help because they feel trapped in the middle. They are working every hour God sends and tightening their belts as much as they can, yet they are still struggling to pay their bills and look after their families. In this motion, Sinn Féin is proposing a solution that would go some way towards easing the pressure on families who are struggling and need support. I ask the Minister to engage with us positively and constructively. I hope we can work together. People are looking for leadership and help. This proposal goes some way towards helping them.

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