Sinn Féin is calling on the government to tackle fuel poverty.

Michael Colreavy TD said the government needs to protect those most at risk of fuel poverty and said an EU wide recognition of fuel poverty is essential in tackling the issue.

Mr Colreavy said: "Member states are also obliged to reduce their CO2 emission output. It is essential that fuel poverty is not forgotten during European discussions on energy.

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"There are also strong associations between inadequately heated homes and increased rates of morbidity; higher incidences of various cardiovascular and respiratory diseases have been associated with chronic cold exposure from within the home through living in fuel-poor conditions.

"Retrofitting of homes is an obvious means of tackling fuel poverty.

"Fuel poor households are concentrated in the worst buildings in terms of thermal insulation."

(CD/MH)