There is no doubt that the rising cost of energy is placing enormous pressure on households right across County Kerry and, indeed, the entire country. For many families, it is a weekly decision between buying food, heating the home, filling the car or meeting other essential costs. In a rural county like Kerry, where people rely heavily on their cars and on home heating oil, these increases are being felt particularly sharply. It is a very genuine frustration people are feeling and while there may be differences in approach, I believe this debate presents an opportunity to all of us to focus on practical measures that can deliver real relief. In that regard, we need to seriously examine a number of options. First, there is a case for targeted, time-limited supports to help households with rising fuel costs. Expanding eligibility for existing schemes such as the fuel allowance should be firmly on the table. Second, we should look again at the overall tax burden on fuels to ensure it is not disproportionately impacting those who have no viable alternative, especially rural communities. Third, we need to accelerate investment in energy efficiency and home retrofitting so that people are less exposed to those price shocks in the first place. This is not about quick fixes or political point-scoring. It is about recognising that people need help now while also planning for the longer term. There is space here for a more constructive cross-party approach, one that focuses on targeted, workable solutions rather than absolutes. Ultimately, the people we represent are not interested in who wins the argument in this Chamber. They are interested in whether we can ease the pressure on their daily lives. Let us use this opportunity to work towards measures that are fair and practical and deliver real support where it is most needed. I refer to workers who drive to work and rural dwellers. I wish to call for the immediate reduction of fuel excise duties and the introduction of an emergency fuel allowance and targeted supports for workers and rural dwellers. We have to ease their pain.

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