Cost-of-living protests
Protesters gathered outside the Dáil this afternoon over the cost-of-living crisis and soaring energy prices.
Senior citizens, students and workers staged the protest over the cost of housing, college fees, health and childcare costs.
Beth O’Reilly, vice president for Campaigns at the Union of Students in Ireland, said some students are being forced to choose between buying school materials and food and heating.
Varadkar on rising costs
Meanwhile, Tánaiste Leo Varadkar said the Government is working on proposals to target the rising cost of childcare and public transport.
Mr Varadkar told the Dáil there are areas in the cost-of-living crisis where the Government can do more and that people are “feeling the pinch” and struggling to make ends meet.
He was challenged by Sinn Féin’s Pearse Doherty on the Government’s record of helping householders through the cost-of-living crisis.
Coalition majority 'tight'
Eamon Ryan has said the expulsion of two Green Party TDs after they voted with the opposition has left the coalition’s majority “tight”.
Green Party TDs Neasa Hourigan and Patrick Costello lost the party whip for voting against the Government on Wednesday. The move reduces the Government’s majority in the Dáil to 80 TDs against 79 opposition TDs.
The two Green Party TDs broke ranks on Wednesday evening to back a motion calling for “full public ownership” of the National Maternity Hospital site.
Mr Ryan said that while Dáil votes will be “tight”, there has not yet been a close vote and that the coalition remains “well functioning and stable”.
