Michael Collins (Cork South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I appreciate the introduction of this motion by Sinn Féin. Fuel and grocery costs are a huge issue for many families. To be quite honest with the Government, it is standing idly by and letting people suffer. There are interest-rate hikes such that people are now unable to pay for their mortgages, putting them in mortgage arrears. This could result in the vulture funds, the Government's buddies, taking their homes or businesses from them. The Government continues to increase the price of fuel. Over the coming months, it is to increase it by 18%. This is an astonishing attack on the ordinary person, be it a farmer or mother. The figures are 23% for petrol and 18% for diesel. It is a really greedy tax take affecting ordinary mothers and fathers.

Energy bills are out of control. The Government will not touch the energy companies. It is afraid. It states it might or may talk to them. I do not know what it thinks it wants to do. Where does it want to take people? At the same time, it is announcing massive tax takes but giving nothing back. Therefore, mothers and fathers are worried about how they will pay for their children's education and pay the next week's grocery bill.

I firmly believe the Government now has an opportunity to cut out carbon tax, which would increase food prices in the shops. People cannot afford that. The Government can put an end to this codology. It is a tax take only so extra buses or whatever can be bought for the Minister for Transport, Deputy Eamon Ryan, in Dublin. The Government has to wake up. The people of rural Ireland are being hit hardest, yet the Government is sitting idly by while this is happening. I do not understand why it continues to hit people and give nothing back when it has such a massive tax take. It is not good enough at this time. I call on it to change this.

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