This is a rip-off Government. The price of petrol, diesel, home heating oil, electricity, groceries, rents, house prices and childcare are all sky-high. The Government plays a significant role in jacking up the prices on all of those. It is hitting families really hard. I know of parents who are lying awake at night trying to work out what bill they are going to be able to pay. People on good wages and in good employment are actually living month to month now on overdrafts. Many families are just one thing going wrong with their car away from not being able to stay on top of their bills. It is not an accident. The Government is making it harder in many ways. In terms of taxes, the Government is incinerating taxpayers' money with incredible waste. We see the jacking up of rents at the moment because of dysfunctional housing policy and the Government's immigration policies as well. Look at the semi-State ESB. It is making super-normal profits - €650 million last year - while electricity prices here are higher than in practically any other country in Europe. In terms of fuel, the Government is taxing petrol and diesel at the rate of 65% for a staple, not a luxury good, an item that people have no alternative but to use. In respect of the tolls on the M50, we found out they are now collecting €216 million, double what it was just ten years ago. I look at the pittance the Government provides in terms of home heating oil and kerosene. Older people are sitting in the cold regularly for the want of the money to fill their tanks with kerosene, and there is nothing being done. The food situation is incredible. Ireland is now the second most expensive country in the whole of the European Union. It is 15% higher than the average EU price in relation to food. Compared to just five years ago, shopping for groceries costs 40% more. A trolley that used to cost €150 is now €225. People are paying an extra €3,000 a year for exactly the same groceries. Chicken breasts were €5 in 2022, now €12.98. Steak was €10.66 a kilo in 2022 and is now €19.49. Butter is €1 more than it was just a year ago. The price of eggs has increased by 35% since 2021. Government Members should not shake their heads. The Government has a role in this supply chain in terms of the taxes and tolls it is putting on hauliers and the fact that we have an oligopoly, a small number of supermarkets where there is very little competition in terms of the price of products.

Sentiment score: 0.05