To the average family, the cumulative negative impact is approximately €1,500 per annum. Increases in local authority service charges and the 9% increase announced by the Minister for Transport, Deputy Séamus Brennan, the week after the budget for Bus Éireann and Iarnród Éireann charges add to the impact. The increases deliver a solar plexus blow to thousands of families, many of whom voted for the return of this Government to office on 17 May last and are now left belatedly to rue that decision.