Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)

He is right to say that the rate of inflation has fallen, and thank God for that. However, he is entirely missing the fact that prices have not followed suit. Anybody who goes into a supermarket or shop or opens a bill can tell the Taoiseach that we are in place where households are still struggling.

On the Government's record, in the past five months the price of home heating oil has risen by €25 per fill. Petrol and diesel prices went up in May and the Government will go for those again in October. Local property tax has risen. Rents have gone up. Students' fees, as we know, are also due to go up. The Government has shown no regard or sensitivity for the realities of struggling households and workers. I am simply asking the Taoiseach to wake up and become aware of the realities of people's lives. They need these supports. They will need a cost-of-living package come October, mark my words.

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