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fuel allowance. Now it is a four-week extension and that needs to be kept under review. For the record, the Labour Party is happy to support the cut in excise that has been proposed. This is necessary. As the Tánaiste said at the outset, it is important … people and we need to see it reached and maintained as prices come down. We also support the intervention on the fuel allowance but outside of the excise cut, there is very little here for working people. The Government and the famed energy task force have proposed nothing

meetings, including the Foreign Affairs Council for trade ministers; bilateral engagements in EU member state capitals; numerous phone calls at ministerial level; working party meetings; and ongoing direct dialogue with the European Commission. Along with my Government colleagues, I have consistently emphasised Ireland’s requirements for credible, legally … would not be needed until at least one Mercosur country had completed its ratification procedures. In late February, Argentina and Uruguay both secured parliamentary approval in their respective parliaments. Brazil and Paraguay have now followed suit with their own internal ratification procedures. While the Council

this crisis. This is an issue and it has happened before. This price gouging is not new. It must be investigated. We cannot allow opportunism in this situation. I welcome the fact the Taoiseach recently outlined that he is concerned about price gouging and has recommended that … gouging? What about the fact the cost of fuel is rising year on year? It is excessive and wrong. We were the only party in this Chamber to vote against the climate action Bill and we did so because it locked Ireland into increasing carbon tax. Irrespective

issues with the NTA or saying, "This is a matter for the Garda Commissioner." It is very hard to get direct answers to parliamentary questions or hold agencies to account in the same way. Having a Minister directly involved in the media just provides ammunition to the conspiracy … allegations of political interference. Down the line, there may be parties in government that are more inclined to seek to interfere in the political process, and we have seen that with the rise of populist parties across Europe. It is a good thing to have this set aside

supported in a way where change is managed. I have a deep concern in this regard. Our commitment in the Labour Party to An Garda Síochána is demonstrated by this motion. I have got huge support from members of the force across all ranks. We need to change … have some suggestions, because the Minister often challenges others to put forward their own proposals. So, here we go. The training allowance should be linked to pay to show gardaí what they will be earning initially. We need more investment in Templemore to show gardaí the infrastructure they