The transport minister has ruled out ridesharing apps with private car drivers after the consumer watchdog called for them to be deregulated. The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) said its research highlighted a supply shortage in the taxi sector, as four in 10 people who tried to get a taxi in December reported difficulties doing so. However, Darragh O'Brien said there was "no intention" to change the policy to allow private drivers on apps. A sustainable taxi sector is an important element of our transport system, and I encourage taxi drivers, passengers, the CCPC and all stakeholders to take the opportunity to feed into this important piece of work. About a third of Ireland’s more than 17,000 taxi drivers make use of Uber to source fares.

'I lost seven stone without jabs after family photo disgusted me'Jade made simple food and drink swaps to ditch the weight fastView 6 Images Jade with her family, in the photo that inspired her to lose weight (Jam Press)A mum says she was so shocked by a family photo that should have been a happy memory that she set out to lose seven stone - without weight-loss jabs. View 6 Images Jade before weight loss with Cody (Jam Press)‌“I wasn’t an active mum with Ellie. View 6 Images Jade before her weight loss (Jam Press)‌Jade said: “When I saw it, it made me feel so sad inside. She now weighs 14st 8lbs, having lost more than seven stone in just a year. She said: “If it [weight loss jabs] helps a person, then that’s their choice.

Sent Monday to Friday when the Dáil is in sessionWhere would the country be without big tech and big pharma? The answer is an exchequer that would be missing out on many billions of euro in corporation tax receipts and thousands of people in need of different jobs. Separate accounts show Apple’s tech rival Microsoft, which employs about 6,400 people in Ireland, paid approximately €4.8 billion in tax here in 2024. Ifac notes that corporation tax here almost doubled between 2021 and 2024, “largely driven by increased payments from the top three payers”. However, it warns that as “corporation tax revenues become more concentrated, they also become more risky”.

Refuse collectors experiencing ‘aggressive and threatening behaviour’A new campaign has been launched to urge residents to treat refuse collection staff in Peterborough with respectView Image Peterborough residents are being told to treat their refuse collectors with respect (stock image) (Image: Getty Images)Refuse collection workers in part of Cambridgeshire are said to be experiencing “aggressive and threatening behaviour” while on duty. Residents in Peterborough are being told to treat these workers with respect. ‌During 2024-25, crews in Peterborough reported 29 threats of violence, including five with aggressive behaviour and one incident of verbal abuse. ‌A new campaign by Peterborough City Council, in conjunction with Aragon Direct Services, has been launched to urge residents to treat refuse collection staff with respect. No one deserves this when doing their job and this behaviour will not be tolerated.

Leicester wing Gabriel Hamer-Webb will make his Wales debut in their Guinness Six Nations clash against Scotland. Hamer-Webb is one of four changes from the side beaten heavily by France last weekend as Wales seek to end a sorry run of 13 straight Six Nations defeats. Bath-born Hamer-Webb, who represented England Under-20s in the Six Nations, has made eight appearances for Leicester since moving from Cardiff last summer. Wales head coach Steve Tandy said: "Gabe has really impressed me in the way he's attacked training, the way he's learnt, the way he's adapted and the way he's just settled into the squad. Replacements: R Elias (Scarlets), N Smith (Leicester), A Griffin (Bath), F Thomas (Gloucester), J Botham (Cardiff), K Hardy (Ospreys), J Evans, B Murray (Scarlets).

A new scheme to help households get a better return on their savings is on the cards, according to Minister for Finance Simon Harris. In the UK, the individual savings accounts (ISA) has an annual investment limit of £20,000 (€22,900). However, the UK cash ISA, while protecting people from tax on deposit income, has unsurprisingly not delivered a particularly large return as, like here, bank deposit interest rates are low. In Sweden, however, the scheme is designed to give tax relief on listed investments, mainly in shares, bonds and funds. There was talk of a British Isa restricted to UK shares but it never emerged.

We’ll have another blog on Saturday with live updates from England v Ireland at Twickenham followed by ratings, opinion and analysis from our writers. “Jack Crowley has been through the ringer over the past three years,” Murray writes of his former Munster team-mate. ✔️ pic.twitter.com/LdRBZ1BR26 — Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) February 19, 2026It seems like after every Ireland game we collectively find something to be worried about. Listen | 31:24Now that we’ve got our mitts on the Ireland team, let’s go back and have a proper look at England’s side for Saturday. We’re back bright and early as Andy Farrell is due to name his team for Ireland’s third round Six Nations game against England.

ETMcDonald's has brought back its seasonal Shamrock Shake and Oreo Shamrock McFlurry for a limited time. Goodbye pink and red treats for Valentine's Day, hello green milkshakes for St. Patrick's Day! The Oreo Shamrock McFlurry first debuted in 2020 for the Shamrock Shake's 50th anniversary. According to McDonald's, the Shamrock Shake contains between 500 and 800 calories, depending on size:Small Shamrock Shake: 500 caloriesMedium Shamrock Shake: 540 caloriesLarge Shamrock Shake: 800 caloriesIs the Shamrock Shake available in Florida? St. Patrick's Day is always on March 17, and it falls on a Tuesday in 2026.

Interior designer Suzie McAdam: ‘We were filming and I was having a major wobble. Hugh took me aside and gave me a hug’The former ‘Home of the Year’ judge talks about the freedom of working on her own ‘mishmash’ home, her recent revamp of the historic Armada House in Spanish Point and her fond memories of working with the late Hugh WallaceSuzie McAdam. Photo: Ruth Maria MurphyOrla Neligan Yesterday at 06:30“Some people say I’m like a swan. Floating calmly on the surface while the legs are going a mile a minute underneath,” Suzie McAdam says. It’s a home some might recognise from the pages of Arch Digest, having recently made quite a splash.

The family of Virginia Giuffre today hailed Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's arrest a 'monumental moment' in her 'pursuit for justice'. The family of Virginia Giuffre have called Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's arrest a 'monumental moment' in her 'pursuit for justice'. They parked close to Prince Philip's former home Wood Farm, where Andrew has been exiled. The Queen's second son may have passed sensitive information to Epstein in his role as a UK trade envoy. The former Prince Andrew, who was stripped off his titles over his links to Epstein last year, has vehemently denied wrongdoing.

Matheus Cunha has expressed his gratitude for former Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim, crediting their recent upturn in form in part to the 'incredible' Portuguese manager. Cunha has shone under the stewardship of Carrick, playing a key role in United's resurgence, including scoring the late winner at the Emirates to stun the Gunners. However, the Brazilian has explained that United's, and his, purple patch is not all down to Carrick, but also his former boss Amorim. 'I've always been very grateful for everything Ruben did,' Cunha told DAZN. We attack in various ways and end up defending with the formation that everyone says is Ruben's.'

Jack Crowley has been given the nod at No.10 for Ireland for Saturday’s Six Nations game in London after ‘ripping’ in to Italy from off the bench last week. “Because of what we've seen and how he's come through and performed and playing confidently,” Farrell explained. “The two lads probably came in to camp… They've probably been in better form. "We've not just seen that with Jack, but we've seen that with somebody as experienced as James Ryan. Not selected to start in the first game, came on against France in a storming game and has continued that.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office after police visited his new home on the Sandringham estate this morning. The former Duke of York has been taken into custody while officers search properties in Norfolk and Berkshire - his former home at Royal Lodge. King Charles said the 'law must take its course' in his first public remarks reacting to the arrest with his statement supported by the Prince and Princess of Wales. While it's understood the Royal Family were given no advance warning of Andrew's arrest, police did brief the Home Office before visiting Sandringham, the Daily Mail has revealed. Follow the latest updates below

Why have ride-hailing services like Uber and Bolt not entered the Irish market in the way they have in other countries? Uber currently operates in Dublin, but regulations mean it can only act as a booking agent for licensed taxi drivers (Uber Taxi) rather than a ride-sharing service. In practice, that means letting drivers, who are regulated for safety and service but aren’t licensed taxi drivers, use their own cars to provide rides. Nearly half of taxi users (49 per cent) said they would like the option to choose ride-hailing services. In December 2025, there were protests by taxi drivers in response to the introduction of a fixed-price fare option by Uber.

The monarchy was plunged into fresh turmoil today after Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested and taken into police custody following an early morning raid on his new home at Sandringham. Thames Valley Police confirmed they had detained the eighth in line to the throne on suspicion of misconduct in public office, after officers descended on Wood Farm shortly after 8am. But what do you think - can the monarchy survive this crisis? Vote here in the Daily Mail's latest poll:In our last poll, Mail readers were asked: 'Should primary school children be allowed to change their gender?' Out of almost 22,000 votes, 98 per cent of you said 'no' and 2 per cent said 'yes'.