This is a cost-of-living crisis that has been going on for almost five years. The lack of self-awareness on the part of the Government is really frustrating and disappointing. What we saw last week was an expression of how people are struggling. It was one section of society but so many people are struggling. At the time of the most recent budget, we in the Social Democrats put forward an alternative budget that included targeted measures but the Government ignored us. We put forward a proposal for an emergency cost-of-disability payment in March which was ignored by the Government. We put forward a proposal, and will bring it forward again tomorrow, for a targeted energy credit of €400 per home to help those with an income of €70,000 or under. The Government has ignored it. The Minister of State might understand why it is extremely frustrating for people across the country and for us here that the Government says it is listening, doing what it can, it hears us and is making changes. I just listed a number of targeted measures that would make a real difference to people's lives. Those measures are costed and the money is available to do them. Why is the Government not doing it? A targeted energy credit and an emergency cost-of-disability payment are two things the Government could do. I have racked my brain to understand why the Government is not doing it. Surely, as a Government, it wants to get re-elected and understands it has the money. I think it is a question of political priority. As a result of the budget, there was a €1,400 cut for disabled people. They effectively received a cut in the budget. It is vulnerable people who lose out and this Government has not and does not prioritise them. It is the same in the area of housing. I have made the point over and over and we have highlighted it. We are talking about a cost-of-living crisis. Imagine being evicted from your home. You cannot afford to get somewhere to rent so you go into emergency accommodation, which is an expense to the State. Young people are essentially having to emigrate because they cannot afford to rent, and this Government just stands by and says it is international issues, inflation hurts everyone and it can only do what is fiscally sustainable. Yet, it had no issue in giving over €1 billion in tax cuts to fast-food giants and the VAT cut to developers, investor landlords and funds in the budget - €1 billion each year will go to them yet when it comes to disabled people or children in poverty, the Government says it is not fiscally sustainable and we have to wait. This Government has its priorities all wrong. It is not listening to the people struggling in this cost-of-living crisis that has been going on for many years. We will continue to push for these measures and to push this Government until it listens and makes the changes needed.

Sentiment score: -0.24