We are facing a global crisis in the supply and the cost of fuel. This is the reality here in the Chamber. The situation in Iran is unpredictable. Nobody knows. It is global. The Government did introduce the package aimed at easing the impact of the cost-of-living increases with cuts to excise on fuel and further supports for those to get their fuel allowance. This was only ever going to be the first package of supports, and I welcome the further packages announced by the Government this week. The total package of over €750 million is the largest in the EU.
Sentiment score: 0.05
The Government is really showing support. It wants to work with our hauliers, our farmers, our agricultural contractors and our bus operators. It is important that people have certainty, particularly those involved in businesses and who are the hardest hit. I know that some are struggling. We all know that. Some people in my constituency of Carlow-Kilkenny have come to me over the past few days about the cost of heating oil, and that is a concern. This is why it was important to delay the increase in the carbon tax-----
Sentiment score: 0.09
-----and I understand more supports are needed.
Sentiment score: 0.42
I spoke-----
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I spoke to my colleague, the Minister, Deputy Dara Calleary, today-----
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There are supports for energy bills there through the local enterprise offices-----
Sentiment score: 0.56
-----but the Deputies do not want to hear that.
Sentiment score: -0.06
Why would they not want people to get help and support?
Sentiment score: 0.63
As a Minister of State in the Department of Health, there are real concerns. We had several meetings over the past week. We were working as well.
Sentiment score: 0.09
We had several meetings. We had meetings with the Department-----
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We have seen the impact-----
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We had people waiting to go to hospital appointments and people waiting to get their cancer treatment and we were making sure there was fuel to get nurses and carers to the homes where they needed to be.
Sentiment score: -0.48
This is about everybody working together.
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As I said, we all need to work together-----
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-----to sort this out. We need to help those most vulnerable people in Ireland with all of us working together but-----
Sentiment score: 0.06
We are absolutely working.
Sentiment score: 0.00