Working people and the least well-off in our country are being absolutely crucified by the rising cost of living. The cost of energy is going up and there are unaffordable rents and real pay cuts for people, with inflation running way ahead of the pay increases received. People Before Profit has been very clear. We think that there should be controls on the cost of energy and on rents and that workers are entitled to a pay rise. The minimum wage should be increased and workers should put in pay claims. The Taoiseach set his face against all these things and said they would make the situation worse. Why does the Taoiseach say nothing about the price gouging and profiteering of the energy companies? The ESB made €616 million in profits in 2020 and that figure is expected to go over €700 million for 2021.

The Deputy's time is up.

Energia saw its profits go up by 46% last year.

Please Deputy, the time is up.

Why does the Taoiseach not ask those companies to pay for the cost-of-living crisis by giving workers a decent pay increase and by controlling the cost of living?

I am asking the Deputy to adhere to the time limit please.

Again, I am intrigued by the degree to which the Members opposite attempt to misrepresent what I have said, and then try to establish it as a fact by continuing to repeat it in order to embed it in the public consciousness as a fact. I told the Deputy that wages have increased and that is a good thing, especially when linked to productivity. Wages have increased and I have no issue with that at all. We have controls on rents. Rent increases are now controlled by legislation. Increases are limited to 2% or the cost of living index, whichever is lower. That is a fact.

They are not working.

The Government has said it is going to bring in measures to try to help people and to cushion the blow imposed by this inflationary cycle. We acknowledge that and we are going to deal with it.