Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As today is World Health Day, I commend all those who work in our health system and thank them for their dedication, and I call for another debate on health in the coming weeks.

Like Senator Kyne, I call for a debate on the cost of living. According to the figures released today, inflation is at its highest level in 22 years after jumping from 6.7% from 5.6%. That is a staggering figure. A debate on the cost of living is urgent because, notwithstanding the immense work that the Government has done through mitigation measures, a significant proportion of working people in our country are the squeezed middle. Tá siad faoi bhrú. It is not good enough just to talk about it. We need to have a debate and, arising from that, action. I ask that working families – those who are in the middle, pay for everything and get no handouts – be given recognition by the Government in what is admittedly an extraordinarily volatile situation. The Government has acted, but prices have increased by 1.9% and, in the coming weeks, we will see significant inflation in food prices. There is an onus on the Government to act on behalf of the squeezed middle. I hope that the Deputy Leader will arrange for the Ministers for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform to attend the House for such a debate after the Easter recess.

I thank the officials and staff of all parts of the Oireachtas for their courtesy during this term. I wish everyone a happy Easter.