Statement from Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns:
“These protests are a manifestation of how desperate many people feel as costs continue to soar – not just for fuel, but for everything in this country.
“People are increasingly struggling to pay for the basics – food, energy and housing – and the government is just not listening to them. They are out of touch and out of ideas.
“All of the indications now are that the support package, being considered by the cabinet later today, is going to exclude huge numbers of people who are under significant pressure.
“The Social Democrats have repeatedly demanded that the government introduce a targeted €400 energy credit, as well as other support measures, to give people who are really struggling some relief.
“The Social Democrats have no confidence in this government’s ability to manage this crisis – and, for that reason, we will support the no confidence motion in them.”