Minister for Health Leo Varadkar has labelled criticism of the Budget by former taoiseach Bertie Ahern as "total tripe".

In an interview, Mr Ahern said he expected the Budget announced yesterday would be ridiculed in the same way his government’s were.

Speaking on Newstalk radio, Mr Varadkar said the comments showed it was the same old Fianna Fáil that could be expected if the party was returned to power.

He said there was a “world of difference” between the announcement by Minister for Finance Michael Noonan and those by the Fianna Fáil party.

The Minister also denied the plans to introduce a tax on sugar have gone away.

Mr Varadkar said officials in the departments of Health and Finance are working on a set of proposals ahead of the next Budget.

He said he believes a levy on fizzy drinks should be implemented here.