Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Sinn Féin narrative is to divide and conquer. That is its narrative. My only motivation in politics is to represent people and to be a voice to bring change to improve the quality of life and enhance the lives of people. Families throughout the world are demanding action of their governments and not only here in Ireland. I want to make a point to the oil companies. I ask them to reduce their prices. Our economy is recovering from Covid at one level. We are near full employment. Businesses cannot get people to work. There are notices in many outlets looking for staff. Unfortunately an illegal war in Ukraine, rising energy costs and rising food prices are having a profound impact. I repeat my call to the oil companies to reduce their prices. This is a time of global crisis. As President Biden said yesterday, it is a time of war.Let us reflect for a moment on what we debated in the House this afternoon, namely the Bill on sick leave pay. Let us also reflect for a second on what the Government has done for workers by way of paternity, parental and enhanced maternity benefits and the extension of social insurance benefits to the self-employed. These are matters Senator Gavan does not want to speak about or hear because they do not suit his narrative.

Sinn Féin is demanding that social welfare rates be increased. What did the Government do? In the budget in October and subsequently, long before the war in Ukraine, it recognised the pressures associated with the cost of living. However, Sinn Féin did not want to hear about that. It was demanding that the cost of home heating oil be reduced. What did the Government do? It worked to reduce the cost of home heating oil, but Sinn Féin does not want to do that. It does not recognise-----