Letters to the editor: Taoiseach's seeming indifference to crisis in cost of living may be his 'Marie Antoinette moment'

Come the election, Micheál Martin may regret not having eased the burden for people

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has resisted calls for further supports to ease the cost of living. Picture: Gareth Chaney/Collins Photos

The Taoiseach’s blunt dismissal of calls in the Dáil to implement further cost-of-living supports had a ring of 'let-them-eat cake' indifference, particularly since Ireland has the highest cost of living in Europe ('Ireland now most expensive in Europe for everyday costs', Irish Examiner, June 26). As it is hardly credible to assume that he is  unaware of the daily struggles that many Irish people face, it appears he is taking a wrecking ball to social solidarity and is intent on doing the same to his own party, leaving it exposed to the wrath of the electorate.

The Irish people have endured much this past while, but suffering the antics of a political leader who is behaving like a grouchy child will surely test that forbearance. Marie Antoinette, the supposed originator of the infamous 'cake' quote, misread the mood of the populous too and paid dearly for her error.