Government cannot 'lift all the burden', warns McGrath

Michael McGrath: 'The focus here is on cost of living, alleviating to the greatest extent that we can, the pressures that people are facing.'

The Minister for Public Expenditure has promised a strong package of cost of living supports in Tuesday’s budget that will kick in immediately but warned that the government can not "lift all the burden".

Michael McGrath said negotiations on the final estimates will continue through the weekend and that he hopes he and Finance Minister Paschal Donohue will be able to present a final package to the party leaders on Sunday evening.