Let us call out what happened this week. Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael TDs voted against Sinn Féin proposals that would have substantially cut the cost of petrol, diesel and home heating oil. Instead they brought in measures that fall far short. Now we are arriving with a 2 cent cut in the NORA levy and the Government expects applause. That is not leadership. It is actually damage control. It is far too little far too late. The reality is simple though. In a few weeks, today's tiny reduction is going to be wiped out by another carbon tax increase. It is classic Simon Harris - give with one hand today and take back with the other tomorrow - but people see through it, especially in rural communities, people in communities who have no choice but to use their cars and families who are depending on home heating oil just to keep their home warm. For these people, what the Government has announced is not relief; it is downright insulting. It is the same for farmers who are already under huge pressure facing soaring costs for green diesel and fertiliser. The Government's response does not even come close to recognising the scale of the challenge they face. What is most telling in all of this is that even as the limited measures are being introduced, we have Ministers already talking about how they are going to take them away and when. That tells us everything we need to know. The Government is out of touch with the real pressures people face every day. That has long been evident but I want to make it absolutely clear that the battle is not over. Sinn Féin forced the Government to introduce the bits it introduced this week but alongside workers, families, businesses, carers and farmers, we are going keep pushing for fairness. We are going to force the Minister to deliver the type of support the families we represent desperately need.

Sentiment score: -0.06