The Government increased the price of petrol and diesel on 1 September. People can see the consequences of that at the pumps. Incredibly, the Government proposes to increase fuel prices even further, with a double whammy on 11 October and 31 October. Fuel prices, as a consequence, will hit close to €2 per litre. I do not know how the Government expects hard-pressed families that are struggling anyhow to absorb this type of price hike. It is unacceptable that it would proceed with these price hikes. They should be stopped and I would like the Minister to tell the people today that they will not, in fact, go ahead.

It will not surprise the Deputy to hear that these are decisions that will be taken in the context of the budget in three weeks. The Government is more than aware of the pressure that families and households are under from an energy perspective, including fuel. We will make a decision on this in the context of the budget.