This is an arrogant Government. It has not listened and is not listening. It has not listened to representative organisations, the public, TDs or Opposition parties. Several motions for a cost-of-living package have been debated in the House. My Private Members' motion in December calling for price controls on electricity, gas, fuel and food was arrogantly voted down. The recent packages are too little and too late. White diesel now costs 36 cent more per litre than it did at the start of the illegal US and Israeli war. Green diesel is through the roof, heating oil has almost doubled and petrol is substantially higher. There is nothing in the package for PAYE workers. They have been abandoned. The Government could and should have introduced a much bigger package. The claim that it does not have the money does not wash. In budget 2025, which was introduced October 2024, the Government found €2.2 billion to buy the general election which took place seven weeks later. It also has a €20 billion rainy day fund. It is pouring rain now, and it is time to use the fund for a proper cost-of-living package. Government decisions which continue to make this country dependent on fossil fuels mean we are very badly affected by energy shocks such as that we are currently experiencing. Trump and the US-Israeli war in Iran are directly responsible for this fuel shock. The Government's failure and refusal to stand up to Donald Trump, that far-right unhinged madman in the White House, means that he has been emboldened and now believes he can do what he likes. He has threatened to wipe out a whole civilisation. He has engaged in a genocidal war on Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon and Iran-----

Sentiment score: -0.20

-----and he has even attacked the Pope. It is time to stand up to him-----

Sentiment score: -0.23

-----pass the occupied territories Bill and stop-----

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-----military planes going through Shannon.

Sentiment score: 0.00