We are now two weeks into a crisis in which Irish households are being hammered by skyrocketing fuel prices. The cost of petrol, diesel and home heating oil has spun out of control, yet Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are absent. This is a do-nothing Government that is sitting on its hands and refusing to help while workers, families and motorists are fleeced. People are under massive pressure right here and right now, but the Taoiseach says it is too early to act. He says that the Government will keep the situation unde…

The only actions that the Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael Government has set out so far are proposals to increase taxes. The Minister has reiterated that position again. I do not know whether there is anybody sitting here among us who cannot turn on their heating or cannot fill their car. I do not think that is an experience anybody here on the Government benches or anywhere else has but it is the reality for too many families and for too many working people. I am simply asking the Minister and we have given the Governme…

I appeal to the Minister today to stop the distraction, end the rhetoric and actually make the move that is necessary.

Will the Minister answer the question?

Are they?

Are they?

When?

When?

What the people want most today-----

You are a disgrace.

Not agreed.

The Government's failure to act to assist families, workers and motorists as fuel prices skyrocket is completely untenable, unacceptable and unsustainable. We need to have accountability for its inaction as a do-nothing Government. More to the point, we need to hear concretely when and how the Government eventually proposes to act. We need statements and questions and answers on the most pressing issue at the moment for Irish families.

Last week, I, along with my colleagues Deputies Pearse Doherty and Pádraig Mac Lochlainn, met the families of those who lost their lives or were injured in the Creeslough tragedy. They have two requests of the Government. First, that it establish a public inquiry into this tragedy and, second, that the Minister for justice meet with them. They have questions that are not related to the criminal investigation and that they want to put to him directly. This meeting and, indeed, a public inquiry can take place without…

Will the Minister meet them?

Show them some respect by meeting them.

As a Cabra woman, I extend a particular welcome to all of the girls from Finglas - our neighbours. They are very welcome. Tá fáilte rompu go léir. We are already witnessing a surge in fuel prices in reaction to the US-Israeli onslaught in the Middle East. People across the country are reporting massive hikes in the cost of home heating oil, with prices having increased by as much as 35% in the past number of days. The cost of home heating oil was already high so people really cannot believe what they are seeing. Th…

The Taoiseach has talked about that for a long time.

Tá sé soiléir go bhfuil teaghlaigh faoi bhrú, ach tá sé soiléir freisin nach bhfuil an Rialtas ag déanamh aon rud - rud ar bith.

I just heard from the Taoiseach an exposition of the fact he is doing nothing. That has been a real subplot of the entire cost-of-living crisis. It is a Government that is hands off, stands back and just allows households to take the pain. Energy companies, supermarket chains and insurance companies are ripping people off and the Government does nothing to stop them. The Taoiseach talked again about another review. In the name of God, how many reviews is the Government going to do? It is probably, therefore, no sur…

I have asked the Taoiseach to set aside the carbon tax increase. Will the Taoiseach do even that small gesture?