'Considerable deficit' expected as Covid-19 costs likely to top €8bn

Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe has said the cost of the Covid-19 pandemic will most likely top €8bn as the government struggles to contain the crisis.

Speaking as he published stark economic figures showing the impact of the crisis on the public finances, Mr Donohoe and his top officials said that government spending and borrowing will increase to meet the costs of the crisis.