At the fuel protests in Offaly, I was delighted to stand with my constituents, hard-working, decent people who have worked hard and are very frustrated. I met groups in Birr, Tullamore and Cloghan. Many self-employed people told me they just cannot keep going. Only today, I met a young businessperson who told me his business will be gone next week. This is shameful. The Government has neglected the working people of this country and squandered Irish taxpayers' money. When they want some of their own money back, they have to come, kicking, begging and screaming, for their own money and for assistance. What the Government has done is disgraceful. I do not understand it. We know that billions are being thrown at the asylum system. We know that €840 million went out in overseas aid. That was highlighted in budget 2026. It is disgraceful. Yet we have Irish people kicking, begging and screaming. People are in my offices every day of the week at absolute breaking point. I am ashamed of what the Government has done. I am glad to say I am not part of it. It has gone in the wrong direction entirely. It is squandering money where it should not be squandered. Let us look at the children's hospital, overseas aid or the asylum system where we have unvetted migrants coming into the country all the time. That is fact. The Government is squandering money. It needs to stop. The Government needs to stand up for the hardworking Irish people, the farmers, hauliers, agricultural contractors and small businesses. They should not have to come kicking and screaming for money. The Government needs to listen to them. Why was the Government not out meeting them? Why was the Taoiseach not out in Cork meeting his constituents? That would have been true leadership. I am absolutely appalled. I am here to stand up and serve my constituents in Offaly. This is certainly something that will never be forgotten. The Government will reap the benefit at the ballot box.

Sentiment score: -0.07