As the clock struck midnight this Government increased the cost of fuel once again. This Government has been responsible for an increase of €12 on a tank of fuel since it took office. Ireland is now the most expensive place in the EU to buy diesel and one of the most expensive to buy petrol. Does the Minister recognise fuel hikes penalise workers and families, especially in constituencies like the one she and I share where people have no choice but to use their cars? Does she accept fuel hikes are putting enormous pressure on fuel businesses, especially in the Border region, and indeed could force some of them to close? If the Minister accepts those things, will she do what Sinn Féin have been calling on the Government to do and reverse the additional fuel charges introduced last night and in August?

I thank the Deputy. As he knows, the money collected from that tax is ring-fenced to support people who are less well off. We have the fuel allowance-----

Not true.

I have announced a fuel allowance lump sum that people will be receiving. There are two energy credits worth a total of €250 that are going to be issued before Christmas. There is a 20% reduction in public transport fares for another 12 months.

There is no public transport.

In fairness Deputy, there is a very good-----

An increase of €12 on the cost of a tank of fuel.

-----Local Link in County Monaghan and you will have to acknowledge that.

You cannot get a bus in Cork.

There is a great bus service there now and indeed when I get time I am going to use it one of these days. There is free public transport for children under nine-----

People are using their cars. They have no choice in the matter.

-----and an increase in the rent tax credit of €1,000 per person. Sin é.