The Taoiseach insists there will be measures in the budget to help with the cost of living and to reduce income tax.

We are now paying the highest electricity prices in Europe and there was a time when we were almost the lowest.

Gerry's plight is similar to many peoples situation across Cavan Monaghan and Meath.

'People are looking at a 14% increase in their bill assuming they don't change their usage at all'

'Bear in mind that savings on energy bills should help to make the repayments on loans'

'I know a butcher whose energy bill has gone up from €4,000 to €11,000'

'There just cannot continue to be an increase in energy costs because that is not sustainable in any way'

The plan could see households paid €100 against energy bills early in the new year.