Fine Gael is focused on reducing the cost of living and will not be distracted by Sinn Féin antics – English

Fine Gael is focused on reducing the cost of living and protecting people’s livelihoods, and we will not be distracted by the antics of Sinn Féin in the Dáil, a Fine Gael Minister has said.

Minister of State, Damien English said, “Fine Gael, in Government, is working hard to reduce the cost-of-living for people and their families. We know that people are working hard for themselves and their families, and rising costs are making it more expensive than ever to do the weekly shop, to fill the car and pay the bills. We will not be distracted from our work to ease the cost-of-living crisis by the antics of Sinn Féin in the Dáil.

“So far this year, we have increased the minimum wage, pensions and social welfare, cut taxes on income, petrol, diesel, electricity and gas. We’ve also taken €200 off your electric bill and reduced the cost of public transport.

“We won’t stop there in the efforts to ease the burden. This summer, there will be an increase in the back-to-school clothing and footwear allowance, free school transport and a student grant increase.

“With over 2.5 million people at work we will also continue to focus our efforts on protecting the Irish economy to support the hard-working businesses and their talented people to futureproof their operations, jobs and livelihoods.

“Fine Gael is determined to ensure the upcoming Budget will focus on reducing the cost of living, putting more money back in your pocket, and backing enterprise to create and sustain job opportunities right throughout the regions.  It will benefit people on middle-incomes as well as targeting those households most in need with extra support.

“By contrast, today Sinn Féin will use its Dáil time in an attempt to bring down the Government and trigger an election in August and push back this Budget.

“Right now in the Dáil, the Government has a working majority allowing us to pass laws and help families, the worst off and the squeezed middle.

“Sinn Féin know they don’t have the numbers for their motion to pass, but that hasn’t stopped them trying to create chaos a time when our country needs stability more than ever.

“Fine Gael will not be distracted from our ongoing work on the issues that matter most to people and we will continue to focus on reducing the cost of living.”