Yesterday, there was a protest here by the Irish Truckers and Haulage Association against Fuel Prices and SMEs. Last night, I was informed those involved are planning a second protest that will include farmers, SMEs throughout the country and other organisations coming to the capital to highlight the national emergency because of the inflated cost of fuel, which is interfering with every household in Ireland. These are front-line workers. This morning I emailed the Tánaiste's office, the Taoiseach's office and the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan's, office seeking an emergency meeting. I have also texted and sent WhatsApp messages to their phones for a meeting. I am looking for an emergency meeting to prevent this protest going ahead and look after the people. This is a national emergency and it needs to be dealt with like that.

The Government appreciates and understands the enormous impact that rising energy prices are having on people, whether it is households and families struggling with the bills or businesses. I engage with business all the time and the same business people whose main concern would have been finding staff or insurance costs a few weeks ago are now talking to me about the impact of high energy costs on them and, of course, on the haulage sector. The Government understands and appreciates the fear, difficulty and anxiety arising from high fuel prices.

Will the Tánaiste agree to an emergency meeting?

It is important to say these prices are driven by international factors. The Government only has so much control over these things.

The Government controls 23% of those costs and 2% of it was voted in this House on a carbon tax.

It is 2%; that is correct.

The Government has a further 19% at its disposal.