Workers and families across the State are being absolutely hammered. They are facing an unrelenting cost-of-living crisis and now we see the price of petrol, diesel and home heating oil spiralling once again. Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are doing nothing, absolutely nothing. They are sitting on their hands while people are being pushed to the brink. They come before us tonight and say they are planning to do something. Let us be clear about the reality facing people. More than 320,000 households cannot pay their electricity bills. One in four cannot pay for their gas. People are being forced to choose between heating their home and putting food on the table. One-in-four people have less than €500 in savings. They have no buffer at all. What is the Government's answer? In a few weeks, on 1 May, it plans to increase the carbon tax on home heating oil. That will put an extra €22 on the cost of a fill. It is a tax hike people simply cannot afford. The motion before the Dáil is about providing immediate, tangible relief. We are calling on the Government to scrap the planned carbon tax increase and to enact Sinn Féin's legislation to cut fuel costs now, not at some unidentified time in the future.

Sentiment score: 0.01

This is just the type of direct support families need. The EU's energy chief has called on member states to lower taxes on energy where possible, so the Government has absolutely no excuse. This motion gives every TD in this House a clear choice and there will be a vote tonight. TDs can stand with Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil as they impose more pain or they can stand with workers and families. Vote for this motion, cut fuel costs now and end the energy rip-off once and for all.

Sentiment score: 0.04