Roscommon Galway Deputy Claire Kerrane says the government needs to seek permission from the EU Commission to reduce our VAT rates on energy and fuel.
The Sinn Fein TD, who's also the party's spokesperson on social protection, says any measures to help people with the cost of living need to have an impact on lower paid workers, as well as those in receipt of social welfare payments.
Deputy Kerrane has suggested that one thing the government could do would be to delay the increase in carbon tax due next summer, but she says it's just one of a range of things that need to be done.
The Roscommon TD says our VAT rates on energy and fuels are among the highest in Europe, and these could be reduced, but only with EU approval.