Cost of living crisis: Varadkar 'not ruling out interim measures' but none are planned 

Inflation is at its highest level in 38 years, according to the CSO, and the opposition has called for an immediate package of measures to help struggling families

Leo Varadkar said while the situation with energy and fuel costs would be monitored, it was not planned at this time to take substantial action prior to the budget. Picture: Gareth Chaney/ Collins 

Tánaiste Leo Varadkar has dismissed calls from opposition parties for an emergency budget to deal with the cost-of-living crisis this summer, saying: “I would argue we’ve done that already”.

Speaking to reporters in Dublin on Thursday morning, Mr Varadkar said that with the reduction in excise duty on fuel, reduced public transport fares, an increase in fuel allowance and the €200 electricity rebate, that came to €1.4bn worth of measures already taken by Government.