THE ongoing fuel and cost of living crisis will dominate the agenda at a special plenary meeting of Donegal County Council in Lifford today.
The special meeting takes place after calls from 100% Redress Party member Councillor Tomás Sean Devine.
In light of the recent fuel protests, he wrote to both the Chief Executive of the Council, John McLaughlin, and the Cathaoirleach, Cllr Paul Canning demanding that a special meeting of the council take place.
Today’s meeting comes after Sinn Féin spokesperson on Finance, Pearse Doherty TD, called on government to introduce an emergency budget to tackle the cost-of-living crisis.
Speaking on the opening evening of Sinn Féin’s Ard Fheis in Belfast on Friday evening, Deputy Doherty said: “In many parts of our country tonight, families are sitting at kitchen tables doing the sums. And the sums don’t add up.
“Heating oil they cannot afford. Electricity bills that have doubled. The weekly shop rising again and again. Working families doing everything right – and still falling behind. That is the reality.”
He highlighted the disconnect between the Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael government and the lived realities of ordinary people.
“Ministers boast about billions. But in the real world, people are counting every euro just to get through the week. When people cry out for help, what are they told? Wait. Wait for the Budget. Wait until next year.”
Highlighting that people can no longer afford to wait, Deputy Doherty demanded immediate action.
“Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael must introduce a mini-budget immediately. Not in October. But now. Because this crisis is happening right now”