Heating oil prices have gone up by 29% - almost one third - in the past 12 months. It will cost householders an extra €160 for each fill of a 1,000 litre tank. It is recognised that it takes two fills to heat a home for one year, so this is an increase of €320. Ireland's heating oil costs are four times more expensive than in the North of Ireland due to higher levies, taxes and carbon tax. Petrol prices here are up 11% and diesel is up by 14%. The Government has room for manoeuvre in this. We know that the price of a barrel of oil has increased, but in line with this increase the Government's take in taxes, levies and carbon tax has also increased. I ask that the Government forgoes some of that increase in the budget to give poorer people a chance to heat themselves. On top of this the Government is trying to stop people from cutting turf. Does the Government want people to perish with the cold?

The Deputy has gone off topic. I ask the Tánaiste if there is any legislation in this area.

There are more sustainable ways to heat homes than burning oil. There are Government grants available to help people do that, especially for solar panels and so on.

You would send them all to hell or to Connacht.

I am sure the Deputy would appreciate the climate benefits of that kind of switch.

Poor people-----

Deputy Michael Collins, please.