Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

We are thankful for the supports that have been given to many people. However, I must say that in the past number of hours, I have got a woeful lot of criticism from working-class people; those in the middle who are paying for all of this. As recently as ten minutes ago, a man was on to me about his ESB bill. He is a working person. His wife also has to work. They have big bills and a young family. He was pointing out that his bill has gone from €270 to €890. It has more than tripled. Working-class people are in a desperate way. Many people think and feel that ESB prices should have been capped and that we should have started there. While the Government is giving back money to some people, there are other people and businesses paying extraordinarily high bills for electricity. It is hurting many people. Some businesses have already closed and more will close. That has to be addressed, especially when these energy companies are making so much profit. The Government is also receiving more tax out of that situation.

Lorry, bus and car drivers are on the road because they have to go to work. They are paying enormous amounts for diesel and petrol, above and beyond what they used to pay and what they are able to pay. Their wages have not gone up in line with those increases in the cost of living for everyone.

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