This feels like 2022 all over again. Honestly, workers and families just cannot seem to catch a break when it comes to this cost-of-living crisis. We have seen fuel prices surge over the past two weeks and Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil have sat on their hands and twiddled their fingers here for two weeks. Then, while people have been worrying and going through massive stress, the Government parties come into the Chamber and say to people they are going to do something for them but they have to wait until the next Cabinet meeting. The thing is, people cannot wait. The Tánaiste needs to use his powers now. He can do it by reducing the excise duty on home heating oil, petrol and diesel and easing the pressure on families across this State. He can also not bring in the Government's plan to increase carbon tax on 1 May. Sometimes it really does feel like Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil are living on another planet. People are struggling with their bills now. They need the Government to do something now to help them alleviate this cost, not to keep dithering and running around like it usually does. Elderly citizens cannot afford to heat their homes. We have commuters paying an arm and a leg to get to work and all along the Government is raking in huge taxes on these fuels. It is good to hear the Tánaiste now say he is going to do something, but please do it now because people cannot wait any longer.

Sentiment score: 0.15