The Taoiseach said a moment ago that he understands the problems facing women balancing household budgets; that is why he cut children's benefits, is it? He has also cut the fuel allowance period by six weeks so that it does not extend beyond 5 April which is next week. He also cut the gas and the electricity allowance to those on the household benefits package and he allowed gas and electricity prices to increase. Last year he deducted one week's fuel allowance from more than 60,000 citizens because of an error. Many people in receipt of fuel allowance cannot afford to heat their homes. As I am sure the Taoiseach is aware, during this particular period people have to wear their overcoats indoors because they cannot afford to turn on the heating. This is particularly the case with pensioners who are very susceptible to hypothermia in these freezing conditions. We are told the cold snap could last for another four weeks.

It is a matter of record that the Taoiseach's Government is imposing savage cuts on the most vulnerable citizens while protecting the rich and the elites. It is an absolute shame. I am sure the Taoiseach would agree that people are suffering as a result of being cold in their own homes, but he can rectify this. Will he make an emergency order to extend the payment of the fuel allowance while these severe weather conditions prevail?

I am very conscious of the difficulties some people have in this regard. This is a particularly cold spell which is causing hardship on a number of fronts. The Government considered this yesterday and the Minister for Social Protection has announced that the scheme will be extended for a week-----

A week?

-----and obviously the position will be kept under review.

A week is a long time in politics.

Listen.

Yes, a week.

Would Deputy Adams rather the Minister did not extend it?

It will affect 410,000 people and, clearly, the position in so far as the weather is concerned will be kept under review.

Hear, hear.

The cause of Labour is safe in the hand of Teachta Byrne. Of course, I welcome the announcement that this has been extended.

Of course I do so, but it does not go far enough. The Government cut the payment period by six weeks. We welcome any morsel coming from the Government's table to help those people who are in difficulties. Between 1,500 and 2,000 more citizens die during the winter than during the summer on this island and most of those are elderly people. I welcome what the Taoiseach has said, but I ask him to reflect that when one week has passed-----

When the by-election is over.

The Deputy made the point I was going to make. If after one week has passed and the cold weather unfortunately continues, will the Taoiseach then extend the payment of the allowance by another week and then by another week and so on? Why not put the payment period back to what it was? What not return to that position? It is not exorbitant. The salaries of Government Ministers and of banking executives-----

And of those in private medicine.

-----are exorbitant. We cannot afford that. While welcoming what is a small step in the right direction, I ask the Taoiseach to bring this payment period back to exactly what it was previously and to extend the payment while the severe weather prevails.

On a point of order-----

Will the Deputy resume his seat? I ask the Taoiseach to reply to Deputy Adams's question.

I would like to remind Deputy Adams-----

Resume your seat.

-----that people in the North have received the UK fuel allowance------

If Deputy Feighan does that again, he will find himself outside this Chamber. He is totally out of order.

It is too cold in the snow.

I am serious. No play-acting in this Chamber for television, please.

This is causing particular hardship for people in various locations in the country. The people in the North of Ireland in particular are suffering very badly at the moment. Deputy Adams will note the Government's offer of assistance in respect of the agri-sector in the North.

I welcome that too.

I understand the free fuel payment in Northern Ireland for the entire winter is sterling £110. Perhaps the Deputy might use his influence up there to get that extended because it is infinitely a poorer position than applies here.

Hear, hear.

The Taoiseach will note that the Executive did that last winter and I am sure it will consider it again this winter.

The free fuel scheme here runs for six months covering what are normally the coldest months of the year. The Government considered this yesterday. This is a particularly bitter spell of weather. Therefore, the scheme is being extended by a week and obviously next week the Government will reflect on the continuing degree of temperatures that apply and on the weather.