The Daily Star Ireland
A moment of unintended symbolism unfolded in the Dáil on Wednesday morning when an unexpected power outage plunged Leinster House into darkness. It came just as government officials were attempting to defend their stance on Ireland’s ongoing cost-of-living crisis—a metaphor not lost on the Opposition.
Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore seized the moment with a pointed remark, asking, “Have you paid the electricity bill, Minister?” as lights flickered back on. It was a timely jab in a debate that had already grown heated over soaring grocery costs and claims that Irish families are now spending roughly €3,000 more annually on essentials compared to just three years ago.
Opposition Slams Government Inaction on Rising Prices
Whitmore didn’t let up once the lights returned, criticising the Government’s tendency to talk about inflation in the past tense. “They speak as though the price hikes stopped with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine,” she said. “But the truth is, prices never came back down. Instead, they’re climbing again—while the Government does nothing.”
Whitmore’s challenge centred on the notion that ministers aren’t using the tools available to them. “Why is the Cabinet acting like passive commentators instead of intervening?” she asked. It’s a question that may continue to haunt the Coalition, especially with no targeted cost-of-living relief package expected in the upcoming budget.
This week’s renewed focus from the Opposition stems in part from fresh data painting a stark picture of economic hardship. A new survey by Barnardos, conducted by Amárach Research, found that 40% of families had to borrow money to cover basic child-related expenses. One-third of households have defaulted on electricity bills at least once in the past year. Most alarmingly, 40% of parents reported skipping meals to ensure their children could eat, and 12% had to rely on food banks.
Adding fuel to the fire, the Central Statistics Office reported that food prices rose by 4.6% over the past year—more than twice the overall inflation rate of 1.8%. That same week, Trinity College Dublin issued fee invoices exceeding €3,000, igniting student protests and amplifying wider frustrations over affordability.
Mounting Criticism Inside the Dáil
As debate resumed post-blackout, Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon accused supermarkets of “price gouging,” echoing growing public discontent. His colleague Rory Hearne noted that even working families are increasingly turning to food banks.
Labour’s Ged Nash added a touch of irony by invoking a reference from Father Ted, calling repeated government promises to act “as effective as another mass.” Sinn Féin’s Pearse Doherty accused the Coalition of “sitting on your hands” while everyday costs spiral out of control.
Fianna Fáil’s Niamh Smyth, Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, rejected accusations of inaction. Acknowledging the difficulty families face—“You walk into a store and spend €50 on just a handful of items”—Smyth said the government is pushing for reforms. This includes plans to enhance the powers of the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission to better regulate supermarket pricing practices, a sentiment echoed later by Fine Gael’s Alan Dillon.
Still, many in the Dáil questioned why more hasn’t already been done. Sinn Féin TD Johnny Guirke speculated that the absence of a national election this year explains the lack of urgency in delivering financial relief.
Student Fees Ignite Further Tensions
The debate over cost pressures extended to higher education, where student fees have also come under scrutiny. With some students facing a €1,000 increase this September, Independent TD Seamus Healy accused the Government of “throwing students under the bus.”
Labour’s Eoghan Kenny was even more direct: “When students are forced to choose between education and making ends meet, it shows how little they are valued by the State.” Sinn Féin’s Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire added that some Cabinet members behave as if the crisis has already passed.
In response, Minister for Further and Higher Education James Lawless stood firm, branding many of the criticisms as “cheap populism” while defending his party’s record on education.
Looking Ahead: A Brewing Budget Battle
These debates come at a delicate time. Though the Government has repeatedly cautioned about tight fiscal constraints and global uncertainty, the rising cost burden on Irish households is impossible to ignore.
This balancing act—between macroeconomic responsibility and urgent public needs—will likely shape the run-up to October’s budget. The Opposition has found fertile ground in the cost-of-living issue, and it’s clear they intend to keep the pressure on.
Whether or not the Coalition can weather this storm may well depend on how convincingly it addresses the squeeze that so many Irish households continue to feel.
