Sinn Féin spokesperson on Finance, Pearse Doherty TD, has said that the refusal to intervene to offer relief and clarity to struggling households is further proof of a jaded government out of touch, out of ideas and out of time.
The Donegal TD was speaking after the government voted against providing mortgage interest relief to struggling homeowners, and voted to increase petrol and diesel prices.
Teachta Doherty said:
“Tonight we have seen once again that the longer that Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil are in government, the worse things will get for those struggling with the cost of living.
“Struggling households need clarity and support in the here and now. They cannot be left hanging until the Budget.
“Sinn Fein’s priority in the new Dáil term is to give people the support, relief and clarity they so sorely need.
“Last week, we brought forward proposals to introduce temporary and targeted mortgage interest relief in the wake of mortgage repayments increasing by thousands following ten interest hikes since the summer last year.
“This week, we brought forward proposals calling on the government to reverse its planned increase of petrol and diesel prices next month. By the end of October, they will have increased the price of petrol by 17 cents per litre and the price of diesel by 14 cents per litre.
“Tonight the government voted against both proposals.
“When put to government that people simply cannot afford these hikes in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis, Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Green Party once again chose to look the other way.
“They refuse to listen to the lived realities of people across the state, and have refused to intervene to support struggling families.
“They have condemned workers and families, already struggling to make ends meet, to further financial burdens.
“People expect better and need support, but it is evidently clear that nothing will change under this jaded government that is completely out of touch, out of ideas and out of time.
“Only a Sinn Féin government would stop these price hikes, support homeowners, and help ease the burden on workers and families. It’s time for change.”
