Pearse Doherty says one in four can’t pay gas bill

'People aren't living in your showcase'

Finance spokesperson Pearse Doherty used Leaders' Questions to challenge Minister for Enterprise Peter Burke over the cost of gas, heating oil and groceries. 

He claimed one in four households could not afford their gas bill and said the Government had failed to act despite repeated warnings from Sinn Féin.

He also criticised the timing of the European Political Community summit, arguing that the Government was presenting a polished image of Ireland to visiting leaders while many people at home were struggling to cover everyday expenses.

"The Government will roll out the red carpet today for European leaders, staging a glossy showcase of Ireland...But the people you govern are not living in that showcase," Doherty told Burke.

Government rejects calls to scrap Carbon Tax on heating oil

The Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, was due to welcome the visiting leaders to Dublin later that day. 

The summit brought together representatives from across Europe, with the Dáil exchange taking place just hours before the official welcome, RTÉ reported.

Doherty called for the Carbon Tax on home heating oil to be scrapped and repeated Sinn Féin's proposals for a €400 energy credit and a €500 essentials card. 

He accused the Government of refusing to introduce either measure, while energy companies continued to make large profits and households faced rising costs.

Burke dismissed the proposals, arguing that Sinn Féin had not explained how they would be funded or what their wider financial impact would be.

"It's economically illiterate. It's not in the real world," he said.

He also described the party's plans as "a shopping list", adding: "It's a cheque for every household."

The minister defended the Government's approach by pointing to October's Budget, which he said had already delivered financial support to households.