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25th Sep 2022

Fine Gael Councillor slams attendees of cost of living crisis protests

Hugh Carr

cost of living protest

Maurice Dockrell quoted Joyce’s Ulysses, saying that attendees were “all prick and no pence”.

A Fine Gael councillor has slammed attendees of a major protest in Dublin on Saturday (24 September) against the rising costs of living in the country.

Maurice Dockrell, a representative for Blackrock, criticised the protest in a tweet on Saturday night.

“The usual rag-bag of rent a leftie suspects,” Dockrell said.

“Some have been at it since I was in college and before. All prick and no pence to cite Joyce.”

Thousands attended the protests in response to massive increases in the cost of living in Ireland, including costs of food and energy.

Speakers at the event included Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald and charity founder Peter McVerry.

Similar demonstrations have occurred across the country, with large crowds protesting earlier this year.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin did not commit to a final figure that will be dedicated to cost-of-living measures in Budget 2023, which is set to be announced on Tuesday (27 September).

Challenged by Sinn Féin’s Pearse Doherty last Wednesday, Minister for Climate, Communications and the Environment Eamon Ryan insisted that people will not go cold as the autumn and winter months take effect.

Doherty asked Ryan if he intends to scale energy bills back to summer 2021 levels, and if so, will they then be capped at this level throughout the winter until the end of February.

Responding, Minister Ryan noted that his department “absolutely acknowledge that these price rises are really hitting and hurting our people and businesses across the country and we have to do everything to protect them” as he once again singled out the ongoing war in Ukraine as the cause for the current crisis and thus a “direct attack on our people”.

Ryan said his Government will continue to assess the situation in order to find the “best way” available.

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