Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

Tá praghsanna árachais ró-ard agus níl aon rud déanta ag an Rialtas chun é seo a réiteach. The Government has completely failed to address the cost-of-living crisis. In fact, it seems to be in absolute denial that families and workers are going through a cost-of-living crisis with regard to energy costs, grocery costs, general housing costs and particularly the costs associated with having no choice but to drive a car to work, to school or wherever the case may be. Not only has Government failed to introduce measures to support such workers and families, but it has actually made their lives harder by increasing the cost of petrol and diesel, which it bizarrely intends to do again in a number of weeks.

The Government has paid lip service to demands for action in respect of insurance costs. I note the Minister of State's big complaint is that Sinn Féin is not giving him credit. Insurance costs have risen at a rate four times higher than that of general inflation, which is itself too high. The Minister of State should be asking himself why his Government has not taken meaningful action to address these issues despite the extensive evidence that previous reforms made with the stated purpose of reducing insurance costs clearly have not resulted in savings being passed on to consumers. People are now being hit on the double. They cannot afford their insurance premiums and therefore have to pay on a monthly basis. Like those who are forced to pay their motor tax periodically rather than annually, they are hit on a secondary level. The problem is particularly acute in constituencies like my own and that of the Leas-Cheann Comhairle, where people do not have public transport and so have no option but to drive to their place of work. On top of high insurance costs, they are also fleeced by the high cost of petrol and diesel.

Households, motorists, businesses and community groups need action on insurance costs. The rip-off cannot be allowed to go on any longer. Rather than looking for credit, I contend that the Minister of State needs to look for answers. The answers have been produced by Deputy Doherty. I would take his advice if I were the Minister of State.

See this speech in context