Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)

I thank Deputy Doherty. He is right with regard to making sure people can be assisted with the cost of living but I would point out this Government has taken a number of measures, and that wages in Ireland are now growing ahead of inflation. We have taken action with regard to reducing childcare costs. That is just one example. We have made school books free and provided free school meals, measures that really help many families right across our country.

People in Ireland know the long-established policy in regard to carbon tax and they now know where that carbon tax money goes. It goes into things like the fuel allowance, helping people on a social welfare, retrofitting and agri-environmental schemes for our farmers. We have been very clear with respect to the policy direction on that.

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