Cost of living activists are going to march on the Dail in two weeks’ time.
Soaring energy costs and a general rise in the cost of everything has driven together a group of students, activists, unions and politicians to form the Cost of Living Coalition.
The new group met for the first time today where they outlined their objectives and announced their next protest to take place outside the gates of Leinster House on Thursday May 19.
Read More: Rich-poor gap in Ireland rising by almost €3 a week as cost of living crisis worsens, research shows
The coalition is calling on all those affected by rising inflation and escalating energy and housing costs to join them on the day.
One of the Coalition leaders is Sue Shaw, CEO of the Irish Senior Citizens Parliament.
She said: “The members of Irish Senior Citizens Parliament are finding the ongoing increases extremely difficult.
“This is especially true of those dependent on the State Pension.
“As an organisation representing the Voice of Older People we believe strongly that it is now time the Government realises the impact and hardship these increases are causing not only for older people but for all people on low incomes.”
Coalition convenor and People Before Profit TD Richard Boyd Barrett said: “The cost of living is soaring, while most people’s incomes remain stagnant.
“The result is more and more people are faced with a choice of heating or eating.
“That’s why we have formed the Cost of Living Coalition to build a movement to demand that the government takes serious action to shield people from price increases and protect their incomes.”
Sinn Fein TD and spokesperson on Social Protection and Rural Development Claire Kerrane said: “I am involved in the Cost of Living Coalition because I believe we need immediate and effective action to support families and workers.
“Households everywhere are struggling to make ends meet amidst soaring energy costs, eye watering rents and the highest rate of inflation in years.
“As part of this cross-party coalition, I am joining others in calling on the Government to take urgent action to support families and workers with the cost of living crisis”
The Coalition has five key demands they will be campaigning for.
They are to control energy costs, protect incomes, make housing affordable, invest in public services and share the wealth.
The Cost of Living Coalition is supported by SPARK, Sinn Fein, Ireland Senior Citizens’ Parliament, UCD Students’ Union, People Before Profit, Dublin Council of Trade Unions, Union of Students in Ireland, Housing and Homeless Coalition, Access for All Ireland, ESB Retired Staff Association, The Rural Ireland Organisation and others.
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