The Minister of State spins a story that the Government has acted on the cost of living, but the truth is that the Government has stubbornly refused to do things within its power that could reduce the cost-of-living crisis for ordinary people. On the other hand, the Government gives away billions of euro in tax breaks to wealthy investor funds and those on the highest incomes. The Government refuses to freeze rents. Instead, it actually removed the paltry rent controls that were in place and is allowing the big landlords to increase rents even further. It promised to cap childcare fees at €200 a month and has taken no action on that. The Government refuses to implement our proposal for public affordable childcare. We have the highest electricity costs in Europe. Where is the action to tackle the price-gouging? The Government refuses to implement our proposal for targeted energy credits that could help 800,000 households. On the basic cost of food and groceries, it looks the other way while supermarkets profit and price-gouge. On the basic cost of health, ten years ago, Fine Gael promised to extend free GP care for all children under 18, yet, today, when a child turns eight, the family has to pay full GP costs. If the Government extended free GP care to children, as we proposed, to children just up to 12, it would help 200,000 children and their families and cost just €30 million a year, but it refuses to. Instead, it gives twice that amount, €60 million, in tax breaks each year to high-earning executives relocating here, earning up to €1 million. Tá daoine in Éirinn ag streachailt go mór leis an ngéarchéim costais maireachtála. Tá ardú ar phraghsanna fuinnimh agus tá cíos ró-ard. Tá a lán brú ar theaghlaigh. Tá sé an-deacair orthu a gcuid bunriachtanas a chlúdach. There is so much the Government could, and should, do to help ordinary people with the cost-of-living crisis. The question is why the Government is not doing it.

Sentiment score: 0.14