No guarantee energy prices will fall even with State supports, warns Leo Varadkar

Separately, Mr Varadkar hit out at a price cap on bills being put forward by Sinn Féin claiming it would provide a blank cheque to energy firms and could put the country back into austerity

Tánaiste Leo Varadkar has said he would "love to be in a position" to be able to assure families and businesses that that energy bills will be what they were last year.

The Government cannot provide any guarantee that the cost of energy and food will return to last year's prices, even with State supports.

Tánaiste Leo Varadkar has said he would "love to be in a position" to be able to assure families and businesses that that energy bills will be what they were last year.