Pre-budget cost-of-living crisis
Deputy Collins called for time to debate the crisis facing hauliers, farmers, families and fishermen before the budget.
I attended a meeting in Moate in County Westmeath last weekend with up to 2,000 people. Hauliers, farmers, families and fishermen told us they are in a crisis situation. We have a week before the budget. We need to firmly debate the issues they put before us and asked us to bring to the Dáil to relay the concerns of the crisis they are in. We need to set aside time this week to debate that to make sure we get the budget right next week and make sure the families can survive and people can pay their electricity bills and mortgages. We urgently need that debate this week.