I join colleagues in supporting this motion of confidence in the Government today. We are living through a period of profound global instability. Across the Gulf, we are seeing not only disruption to energy supply and vital shipping routes but we are witnessing the further appalling and unacceptable loss of life, the human cost of which cannot be overlooked. It is essential that we progress and engage with colleagues to urgently de-escalate and sustain our diplomatic engagement. I will continue with Government to engage with colleagues and counterparts across the Gulf and the Middle East with our ambassadors on the ground, our colleagues in the EU and of course with our counterparts in the US. The partial closure and blockading of the Strait of Hormuz has had immediate and far-reaching consequences, sending shockwaves through global markets. As we all know, it is directly impacting families and businesses here in Ireland. We can see it at the pumps, in our bills and in the cost of living people are facing every day. We are all, in government, listening to the concerns of people, to our constituents and beyond. Despite the global uncertainty, this Government has acted. We were among the first governments to respond in recent weeks, responding at a greater level than many other countries. We intervened early with an initial package of €250 million, making it clear at the time that we would continue to engage with those most impacted, but also recognising the evolving nature of this crisis, including the possibility that fuel costs might ease in the event of a ceasefire. This has not been the case and so engagement has continued. The Opposition does not have monopoly on engagement. We have all spoken to those in our constituencies - hauliers, farmers, bus operators and farm contractors. We have engaged over the past number of weeks with those hardest hit by the increase in fuel costs but we are also recognising that everybody is being hit by this global crisis. That is why a further package of €525 million was agreed by Government this week. This is a direct response to the engagement and the concerns raised with all of us. I wonder will the Opposition support this package or will it reject it in the way it did the previous €250 million. Peaceful protest is a fundamental part of our democracy. It must always be respected and, indeed, we must all protect it. However, preventing fuel from reaching communities during a fuel crisis, at a time when supply chains are under pressure, only risks shortages and places further strain on communities. I again stress that the strains and pressures we are experiencing are driven mainly by global events, conflict, instability and supply chain disruption far beyond our shores. What we can do as a Government, and what we are doing, is to mitigate those impacts. We will continue to support people in whatever way we can as a Government to protect jobs and livelihoods and support our communities the length and breadth of this country.

Sentiment score: 0.10

A Leas-Cheann Comhairle, if they do not want to listen to the women of the Dáil-----

Sentiment score: -0.06