The Government survived a vote today but the Minister of State should not kid himself - public confidence has not been restored. The Government limped through, shedding some of its own along the way. People will draw their own conclusions about the motivations behind those changes of heart. What is clear is that the outcome of today does absolutely nothing to change the reality that workers, families and businesses across the State are facing. People have lost confidence because this Government is not listening and has not listened. It has failed to act in any meaningful way on the fuel cost crisis hitting households. The Government still has not taken necessary steps to make fuel affordable at the pumps and has done nothing on home heating oil despite it reaching the highest prices on record. This is the Government’s second attempt, and once again, it has come up short. Last month, it was half measures. This month, it is just more of the same. Petrol and diesel are still on course to exceed record highs and home heating oil remains completely untouched. Across Waterford and the rest of the State, the reality is dark. Green diesel has nearly doubled in price in a matter of weeks, rising from 97 cent a litre in February to €1.80. For farmers, fishers, hauliers and small businesses, fuel is not optional. It is a core cost of them staying in business. That was the message that I heard clearly this weekend in Dungarvan and across Waterford more widely as my colleague Deputy Cullinane and I spoke with protesters, listened to them and heard their concerns, something that the Minister of State and his colleagues in government have failed and refused to do. Much better to denigrate and demonise than to actually listen. For workers and families, it is about the cost of getting to work and keeping the light and heat on. I have heard from disabled people, home care workers, health workers, apprentices and students who are all suffering. What do we see from the Government benches today? We see self-congratulations and back-slapping. Government TDs are telling everyone and anyone who will listen just how great the Government is and how well it is doing. They have said it so often that they probably even believe themselves, but people are not fooled. They see a Government that is arrogant, refuses to listen and is wilfully blind to the real hardship being experienced. The solutions are clear. We set them out for the Government three weeks ago and again today. A minimum 25 cent reduction on petrol and diesel at the pumps, maximum cuts to excise on green diesel, the complete removal of excise, including the carbon tax on home heating oil, and direct support for households in the grip of this crisis.
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Hear, hear.
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There is €12.5 billion of a surplus.
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There is a €12.5 billion surplus.
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