A call has been issued to temporarily cut VAT on energy bills for three months to support struggling workers and families during the winter.

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald TD asked Taoiseach Micheál Martin for the temporary cut during Leaders' Questions yesterday, 03 November, but was met with no answer.

Hitting out at the Taoiseach, the Sinn Féin leader said: "People's quality of life, their ability to plan for their future and their mental health are really suffering.

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"They see an out of touch government that is unwilling or unable to bring forward measures to tackle an out of control cost of living.

"There is a pattern of inaction from the government on the bread and butter issues.

"They have done nothing for hard-pressed renters. Their big answer to extortionate childcare fees was to cap them at their current unaffordable level.

"Now, the Taoiseach is happy to sit on his hands while families are further ripped-off for the basic necessity of lighting and heating their homes."