Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Minister is very welcome. I know of her personal commitment to ensuring that the most vulnerable in society are cushioned as much as possible. That has been very clearly articulated by the decisions she has made as Minister, especially in the area of the fuel allowance, which has been increased by 45% in the past year to 18 months. That is significant. It is true that the Government is taking in more money now in excise duty because of the increased cost of fuel, but that is funding the increase in the fuel allowance the Department of Social Protection has provided. I have no doubt that the Minister is keeping the situation under review and that if further interventions are needed, they will be made.

I support the motion, which is very much in tune with what people are feeling and suffering. They are suffering because bills are going up left, right and centre. All one has to do now is purchase a basket of shopping and one will notice that the prices have increased. This motion will start a conversation within politics but also within Government on what needs to be done.

This is a tripartite Government. Fine Gael will outline its position on how it believes we can help people, the most vulnerable, the stretched middle and the people who are on the margins. We will try our very best to influence the budget process in order to ensure that what has been articulated here this evening as a result of this excellent motion becomes a reality. It will become a reality because we will use the budgetary process as best we can to ensure that the Fine Gael watermark, which is to help, protect and support the people who are struggling, working and supporting this country and who have made it what it is and who will make it will be in the future, is evident.