TDs and Senators from the main opposition Left parties called on the public to support the Affordable Ireland Campaign Pre-Budget Protest on September 19th. The protest has been called to put pressure on the government to deliver a budget that benefits hard pressed workers and households. The government has the resources to make Ireland affordable. We must ensure that it uses them to do so.
Many organisations, such as the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, student unions, the Irish Wheelchair Association, CATU, the tenant’s union, and the Irish Senior Citizens’ Parliament are supporting this protest. Affordable Ireland also called on all the workers in the public sector who have voted for strike action to come out and send a clear message to the government that they want pay increases now.
Richard Boyd Barret TD of People Before Profit said: “Budget 2026 was a giveaway for developers and fast-food chains. It saw a handout given to developers and highly profitable fast-food chains when supports, including energy credits, were removed from all households. It left many households worse off. We can’t let that happen again. Budget 2027 must be a budget for the many suffering households. He called on all those angry at the recently announced public transport fare hikes to come out and let the government know they must be reversed.”
Local councillor Adrienne Wallace added "Last year local FF and FG councillors in Carlow voted to increase the Local Property Tax for the following 4 years. In the middle of a cost-of-living crisis this was a particularly callous move. Budget 2027 needs to deliver real relief for people who are struggling. Investment in public services is the best way to cut the cost of living for the people who rely on those services. We need to see major investment in childcare, education and healthcare in particular, while disabled people can't be expected to continue to wait for a payment to reflect the cost of having a disability."
She concluded "The withdrawal of vital energy supports has pushed working families into arrears with 330,000 falling behind with their energy bills. Public transport fares will soar by over 15% while the red carpet is rolled out for data centres that force up energy costs. It’s time to send them a message before Budget 2027."