Ní aontaím in aon chor leis an Teachta. Tá an-chuid déanta ag an Rialtas seo maidir leis an gcostas maireachtála. Tá i bhfad níos mó déanta againn ná aon rialtas riamh i stair na tíre. Tá an-chuid déanta againn maidir le teaghlaigh ar ioncam íseal sa tír seo go háirithe. Is é an rud agus an cinneadh a rinneamar ná níos mó a thabhairt do dhaoine atá ag fulaingt agus faoi bhrú. I reject completely the Deputy's assertion that the Government has not responded to the cost-of-living issues. Without question, over the pas…

Sinn Féin wanted to give a blank cheque to the energy companies when we had that real energy crisis in the after-----

Yes, you did. You put forward the very same proposal that Liz Truss brought forward in the UK-----

-----which had catastrophic impacts on the UK at the time, and on the Prime Minister of the day too.

In the recent budget, we increased the child support payment by over €16 for those over 12 and by an extra €8 for those under 12. That is a significant permanent package to enhance the approach to addressing child poverty issues in this country. The working family payment threshold has increased by €60 a week, which will allow more families to qualify or to get support. We have extended the fuel allowance, and between 24% and 26% of households will benefit from the fuel allowance. We have brought in pension auto-en…

I go by the metric of consistent poverty------

-----and real deprivation, not relative. The Deputy has been using relative all along. That is her figures.

Second, the numbers going to college are increasing significantly year-on-year.

There is no evidence base to support what the Deputy is saying in respect of that. In terms of the energy question------

There is no doubt there is a fundamental issue in terms of the regulatory framework that governs our energy markets, not just in Ireland but across the European Union, particularly its linkage to gas prices.

That is the more fundamental issue that has to be dealt with and addressed. I make the point there is a balance here. What Sinn Féin wanted to do was spend an extra €4 billion on top of what the Government spent. We have increased public expenditure by 7.5% which is quite high. Sinn Féin wanted to add another €4 billion to that-----

-----which would have increased inflation by 2%. That is what you proposed. That would add to the cost of living and would add to prices. Those are not my figures, that is by the rule of thumb that is deployed by the Central Bank.

First, I thank the Deputy for raising the issue in the manner she has; it is a very important issue. In the first instance, I too want to thank An Garda Síochána for its bravery, courage and professionalism-----

----- in dealing with a very serious and grave situation last evening, where the Deputy correctly said, innocent people were threatened in terms of their own safety and security, particularly children, and also the surrounding neighbourhoods where walls were apparently damaged for people to get missiles to throw against the gardaí. The gardaí come from our community. They are there to protect us all. It beggars belief that these people would articulate such vile abuse of members of An Garda Síochána and would then …

As a society, we need to address that. I am very clear about that but equally then, we must also be open to voices - not last night now - but in this House and elsewhere, who raise issues and who would not condone at all what happened last night. It is important we try to have a civilised debate here. I am not saying the Deputy is not doing that, but I just noticed things yesterday. We have to engage as an Oireachtas.

We must protect our fundamental values. The dignity of every human being matters. I am 100% with the Deputy on that.

I do not preach, but I do practice. In carrying out my duties as Taoiseach or as a public representative and in all of my life, I do so by means of actions and practice. These speak much louder than words or preaching. I take exception to the Deputy's suggestion-----

-----that I should practice what I preach. I will outline my position on this. In everything I do as a public representative, I will embrace all people, whether it is in connection with a school, a community or whatever. I will go out of my way to do that; it is the right thing to do. I do not expect any credit or anything like that. It is the natural thing we should do, and that is what I do. In respect of Deputy Fitzmaurice's comments, I know that Deputy Cairns and her party took exception. If we keep drawing har…

Could I please just make a very important point? If we keep drawing hard lines, we are giving ground to the people who did what they did last night. There are people in this House who may not share our perspective entirely on this. It is important that we hear those voices-----

----- and then address the issues by means of a fact-based and evidence-based approach. If you keep-----