Taoiseach rules out extra cost of living measures as unions call for 5.5% pay rises

The committee are now recommending members ask for increases in the range of 2.5% and 5.5%.

There will be no further measures to tackle the cost of living until the Budget, the Taoiseach has confirmed.

Speaking in Brest, France, Micheál Martin said that yesterday's €500 million outlay was "mostly one-off" and would not be repeated in the summer if the rising rate of inflation does not level off.