Fine Gael is urging oil suppliers to pass on the lower oil prices to customers.

Fine Gael TD for Dublin South Central, Catherine Byrne, welcomed the drop in oil prices, however she is calling for the lower prices to be passed on to all consumers, especially pensioners.

She said: "This Government has protected elderly people and will continue to do so. The State Pension has been spared from any cuts throughout a period of restricted budgets, as the Government worked to restore the Irish economy after the crisis. It was considered a priority to maintain the level of the State Pension to protect one of the most vulnerable groups in our society.

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"In a further move to support older people, the Government decided to restore the Christmas bonus in Budget 2015. This includes both the Contributory and Noncontributory Pensions.

"The Government also increased the Living Alone Allowance in Budget 2015, meaning that elderly people living on their own will get another bit extra each week. This is in recognition of the fact that it can often be more costly for people to live alone."

(CD/JP)