I agree with Deputy John McGuinness, which is not the way I expected to start this speech. I agree with him that there has been a lack of flexibility and agility on the part of Government. I do not accept that enough has been done with regard to the cuts to diesel and petrol. I do not think it is sufficient for those out there who are suffering. As little as that was, it would have been better if this had been introduced three weeks, two weeks or one week ago but we could not and we were waiting or the Government was assessing and people already were under severe pressure because of the cost-of-living crisis that is affecting many. If we're talking about particular cohorts that are under pressure, they include those with disabilities, who had €1,400 taken off them from one budget to another, so these are the sort of things that need to be dealt with. Again, I do not think enough has been done. We do not know what is going to happen. Donald Trump may be negotiating with himself at present. He may intend to bring this to an end or he may intend to start some sort of invasion, and I cannot even imagine what other chaos that is going to bring. The Israelis are quite happy to continue bombing and causing destruction. Whether that is what they have done in Palestine or what they are doing at present in Lebanon or in the wider field of the Middle East, none of it is good. This Government had one job, and that was to look after the people in Ireland who are suffering. We have all spoken about coach operators. We have spoken about those in agriculture. We have also spoken today about community nurses that are under pressure. This is not going to be enough to facilitate them doing the work they do. The same goes with home carers. None of it is good enough. Carbon tax is also about dissuasion and that does not matter if you have alternatives. The fact is the Government is taking away as it gives.

Sentiment score: -0.09