Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We do understand and care. While I accept that this is a political Chamber, Sinn Féin should come in with solutions. It should not come in with empty rhetoric and accuse us of standing idly by when we fully understand the challenges people face. That is why the remarks of the Leader, in the context of the financial resolution, are ones that I hope the Government will listen to and take on board. They propose an immediate step that could be taken to address the cost of fuel. This motion should not divide the House. As the Leader has said, it should unite us. I hope the motivation of all of us is to support an gnáthdhuine, the ordinary person, whether he or she is a worker or an employer. We have in the Minister for Social Protection, who is with us tonight, a person of great empathy and understanding who gets it. She worked in a credit union and understands the people and their concerns. That is why, at Cabinet meetings, she is a voice for the people who need us to support them.