The Taoiseach has accused a local TD of talking as if the war in the Iran didn't exist.
It comes after Sinn Féin TD, Matt Carthy asked the Micheál Martin if he accepts "the government has to do something to support families with the cost of electricity".
Deputy Carthy outlined that there are currently 315,000 households in arrears with electricity bills.
According to the local TD, there is a growing divide between those with resources to retrofit, or put up solar panels, and those who don't.
Speaking in the Dáil this week, Deputy Carthy called for energy credits to be reintroduced.
Deputy Carthy explained: "I am really worried about the number of families I am meeting who are struggling with their energy bills. We know 315,000 households are currently in arrears but there are tens, if not hundreds, of thousands of others who are literally struggling just to pay their bills every month.
"The Taoiseach has to acknowledge that what his Government has done is not enough to help them. There is a growing divide between those who have the resources to be able to retrofit or put up solar panels and those who do not and who are meeting ever rising bills.
"It is especially in the context of the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, suggesting there could be increases in energy costs of 8% or more. Does the Taoiseach accept now that the Government has to do something to support ordinary families with the cost of electricity?
"Sinn Féin has advocated for the reintroduction of energy credits but it is not good enough and it cannot be good enough for the Taoiseach to tell people to wait until next year's budget or to say what we are currently doing is enough. Families are under huge pressure and they need the Government's help," Deputy Carthy added.
In his response, the Taoiseach said that Deputy Carthy's solution would "widen the divide for those on the lowest incomes".
He highlighted that the government has taken measures, and that the war in Iran is continuing.
The Taoiseach claimed that Deputy Carthy's view is to "spend everything now".
He accused the local TD of "talking as if the war didn't exist".
The Taoiseach said: "The Deputy said he was concerned about a growing divide. His solution would actually widen that divide for those on the lowest incomes. We have taken measures. The excise duty reductions help everybody by definition.
"We will deal with electricity costs. Three tankers were attacked this morning in the Strait of Hormuz. This is a very serious war. The Deputy keeps talking as if the war did not exist. We do not know where this might lead to. We were all hoping, two or three days ago, that we were heading for a peaceful resolution of this war.
"Three ships were attacked this morning in the Strait of Hormuz so nothing can get through. Imagine the impact that will have on prices. The Deputy's view is to spend everything now. We want to support families. We have to make sure we can support families and support them substantially in the latter part of the year as well," the Taoiseach added.
