Will we see a debate very soon on the proposed introduction of a windfall tax on the profits of energy companies, as families and households are grappling with severe hardship and poverty? A Barnardos report has disclosed really shameful levels of parental sacrifice because of poverty. It is obscene to see Shell reporting a profit of $40 billion for 2022, its highest in 115 years. BP's profits have doubled to £23 billion. We have called for a windfall tax on the profits of energy companies. The Government is committed to reviewing this. When can we have a debate on this? When will we see Government proposals on it? We need to see action taken on these obscene profits of energy companies at a time when there is so much hardship around the country.

The cost-of-living crisis is spiralling. Independent surveys have put the rate at 16% over the past three months. We are only 20 days from the end of February, as the Taoiseach knows, and many of the supports are to run out. Therefore, we need a debate in this House. The members of the Cabinet seem to be all over the place and there are mixed messages, with the Green Party not wanting to continue with the supports for fuel. Eighty-eight percent of fuel in this country is fossil fuel. Let us face it and be honest. The cost of living, including the cost of groceries, must be borne in mind, as must the tourism sector. People need certainty above anything else. While the Government dithers and squabbles, people are suffering. Their mental health is suffering and they are going to food banks. That is the reality on the ground. People need to know whether the supports will continue beyond the end of February, the shortest month of the year, and they need certainty.

I will take the questions in reverse order. The Government will make a decision on the cost-of-living supports roughly around the middle of the month, hopefully next week if not the week after.

On the windfall tax, I will have to speak to the Minister for Finance. However, we are bringing in a windfall tax and intend to use the money to help businesses and families struggling with the cost of living.

On the question of making a statement on the matter Deputy McDonald raised, I will not be able to do that this week. I will be on a plane to Brussels in a few hours' time because I have to attend the European Council meeting and nobody can substitute for me. However, I am in this House twice a week and will be happy to answer any questions the Deputy has on any of those matters to the best of my ability. Where decisions I have made were correct, I will explain why. If they were wrong, I will say they were wrong.