People Before Profit – Solidarity reiterate calls for price controls, nationalisation of energy sector on a not for profit basis and controls on rents and housing costs to make them affordable
People Before Profit- Solidarity has urged people to mobilise in huge numbers for the upcoming Cost of Living Coalition demonstration on 24th September.
The group used their Think In ahead of the start of the Dáil term to make the call. They said that the cost of living and housing crisis would be their main priority. This would mean controlling energy prices, rents and housing costs and ensuring income increases, in line with inflation, for all those on low and middle incomes.
They also reiterated their call for free and frequent public transport, the abolition of third level fees, free childcare and a one tier not for profit health service.
Richard Boyd Barrett TD said: “The cost of living and housing crisis is reaching disastrous new levels where people are facing bills for heating, electricity, food and rents that are simply unaffordable and unpayable. We also have some of the highest costs for childcare, education and transport across Europe. The government’s half-hearted measures have failed to protect workers, pensioners and those on modest incomes from a crisis that is spiralling out of control. The housing and homeless situation is an utter disaster.
“We are the only group in the Dáil who has from day one of this crisis been calling on the government to take the radical action necessary to tackle the crisis. We are reiterating our call for the government to implement price controls on energy and to nationalise the energy companies who are making obscene profits.
“Similarly, we need to break from dependence on the market to deliver affordable housing, childcare and other public services. For example, for several years we have been calling for free and frequent public transport, this is now being done in other countries, this should be done now.”
Cllr Hazel de Nortuin said: “Each day in our clinic in Dublin South Central we are seeing people who are beyond despair and totally desperate- people who are extremely scared about the upcoming winter and if they will be able to pay their energy bill, if they can afford the rent, or if they will be able to afford the shopping.
“The government has been totally absent on this issue and the only response they give to people who have been crying out for help is “mañana, mañana”. This is totally unacceptable and shows that the government has not taken the cost of living and inflation crisis seriously enough. That is why we are calling on people to mobilise in huge numbers on the 24th of September for the Cost of Living protest.
“We need to send a clear message to the government that they need to step in and take the radical measures needed to protect people from the cost of living and housing crises.”
Mick Barry TD said: “Profits are at a record high. Wages and social welfare benefits lag way behind the rate of inflation. The inflation crisis is transferring vast amounts of wealth from the majority to a small minority.
“Huge wealth is in the hands of Ireland’s billionaires. Yet at the same time many working people are having to rely on St Vincent de Paul before winter has even started.
“Behind the soothing words of Ireland’s capitalist establishment and their government lies a policy of class warfare.
“We want the trade union movement to fight to defend the living standards of workers and are calling for a NO vote in the public sector pay ballots.
“We also want to see water charge style cost of living protests this winter to demand protection from inflation.
“We are confident FF and FG will be pushed back in the polls this winter and we will advocate for a bold socialist alternative – with early indications that support for this is growing.”
