Reform accused of fighting like 'rats in sack' over charging for the NHSWelsh leader Dan Thomas went against Nigel Farage by ruling out changing the NHS to an insurance-based healthcare system, despite the Reform UK leader failing to do so just one week earlierView 2 Images Nigel Farage has refused to rule out an insurance-based model for the NHS (Image: PA)Reform has been accused of “fighting like rats in a sack” after a row emerged over charging Brits for healthcare. ‌Welsh leader Dan Thomas went against Nigel Farage by ruling out changing the NHS to an insurance-based healthcare system, despite the Reform UK leader failing to do so just one week earlier. He has previously flirted with the idea - but has issued conflicting messages, including the NHS remaining free at the point of use. Whether it be in England or in Nye Bevan's Wales, we can't afford to let Reform get within an inch of our NHS. Mr Farage has repeatedly called for a new healthcare system where “If you can afford it, you pay; if you can’t, you don’t”.

People who get certain healthcare services from pharmacists will now be able to claim tax relief on the expenses. More than 94% of community pharmacies across Ireland have signed up to deliver the service by the end of the month. Existing schemes allowed people to claim tax relief for health expenses including GP visits and medications prescribed by GPs. On Thursday, Tánaiste Simon Harris and Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill announced the relief is being expanded to the pharmacy CCS. He added: “This will ensure that these individuals will be able to claim the same tax relief as they are currently able to avail of when visiting their GP.

Revenue’s Analysis of High-Income Individuals’ Restriction 2023 reports that 127 taxpayers were subject to the restriction in 2023, generating an additional €13.58 million for the exchequer. Revenue’s Analysis of High-Income Individuals’ Restriction 2023 reports that 127 taxpayers were subject to the restriction in 2023, generating an additional €13.58 million for the exchequer. The €13.58 million raised in 2023 represents a decline from the €17.27 million collected from 153 high-income taxpayers in 2022. Over the five-year period from 2019 to 2023, the restriction has generated €90.87 million in extra income tax. After the limit on reliefs was imposed, their collective liability rose to €8.5 million, or an effective rate of 29.7 per cent.

Difficult travelling conditions will impact the entire country on Thursday and Friday, with Met Éireann issuing three separate status yellow warnings. A nationwide status yellow wind warning has been in place since midnight, and it will remain in place until 6pm on Thursday. The forecaster said the wind warning could lead to difficult travelling conditions, debris or loose objects displaced, as well as some fallen branches or trees. A status yellow rain warning is also in place for Cavan, Donegal, Monaghan, Clare, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary, Dublin, Kildare, Laois, Longford, Louth, Meath, Offaly, Westmeath, Wicklow, and Connacht. The rain warning will be in place until 3pm on Thursday.

Partnership delivers simpler procurement, faster deployment and predictable private 5G performanceREADING, UNITED KINGDOM, March 12, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Antevia Networks™, the telecoms equipment vendor changing the economics of 5G private networks, today announced the signing of a strategic partnership with Benetel, an Irish manufacturer of O-RAN compliant radio units. The combined solution brings together Benetel’s carrier-grade outdoor radio expertise with Antevia’s end-to-end private network platform and deployment approach designed to make private 5G predictable and repeatable across complex environments. “To date private 5G adoption has been held back by integration complexity, unclear responsibilities across multi-vendor stacks, and inconsistent real-world coverage outcomes,” said Simon Cosgrove, CEO of Antevia Networks. About Antevia NetworksAntevia Networks™ delivers Open RAN-based private 5G networks designed to be easy to procure, fast to deploy and simple to operate. The company’s 5G SHIFT™ platform combines key network functions and deployment tooling to help enterprises and system integrators deliver predictable, repeatable coverage for business-critical and mission-critical connectivity.

Elton John's husband David Furnish has given a health update on the singer, saying he is 'battling on'. He's battling on. He's happy being at home as a family with our sons. Elton John's husband David Furnish has given a health update on the singer, saying he is 'battling on'Speaking to the same publication, he said: 'It's been devastating. He's battling on.

This time last year, Taoiseach Micheál Martin was grasping an American-flag emblazoned short straw, playing second fiddle to Conor McGregor as our disgraced UFC representative took the St Patrick’s Day podium. This time around, Mr Martin has been restored to March 17 parity, and there is no shortage of hot-button items on the agenda. The question, as always when an audience with Donald Trump is on the table, is will he even get a word in? How should he approach the big day? And, for that matter, should Ireland even be embracing the White House invitation at all?

Former Death In Paradise star Ralf Little fought back tears while recounting his sister's death - saying his parents' lives 'crumbled right in front of their eyes.' The latest episode of Will and Ralf Should Know Better featured Ralf, 46, and co-star Will Mellor, 49, confronting their biggest fears. Will told Ralf: 'I think I've actually done something that you would find more frightening than any of that. 'But their relationship broke down really in a really difficult way and that was very difficult for us. Will and Ralf Should Know Better is available to watch on Channel 4 and 4oD, as well as U.

The Premier League's hopes of securing a fifth Champions League spot for next season received a blow on Wednesday night. As part of the new format for Europe's elite club competition, the two nations which perform best across the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League are handed European Performance Spots (EPS) by UEFA. There are also bonus points for progressing through the knockout rounds - 1.5 in the Champions League, 1 in the Europa League and 0.5 in the Conference League. This follows bonus points that were awarded for finishing positions in various league phases, with the Champions League again having a stronger weighting. Those teams chasing a Champions League spot this season may now find themselves cheering on Villa, Forest and Palace on Thursday night.

Contracts have been signed for a new fire station in Co Waterford. The single-storey station will be located in the townland of Graigueshoneen, approximately one kilometre from Kilmacthomas. The contract for the new building is valued at €2.75m and Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr Seamus Ryan, recently signed contracts with Conor Phelan Construction. “This new state-of-the-art fire station will serve the local population and is a valuable addition to the community," Mr Ryan said. "Waterford Fire Service performs vital and often life-saving work on a daily basis.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin will today meet UK prime minister Keir Starmer in Cork for the UK-Ireland Summit. Speaking in Cork ahead, Micheál Martin said: “On behalf of the Government, I am delighted to welcome Prime Minister Starmer and accompanying UK ministers to Cork. “At our inaugural UK-Ireland Summit in Liverpool last year, Prime Minister Keir Starmer and I agreed a comprehensive programme of strategic co-operation which is now beginning to deliver for the people of these islands. A statement from the government said Mr Martin and Mr Starmer will also take part in a series of engagements reflecting the theme of ‘Shared Prosperity, Shared Seas, Shared Ties’. This will include a research-focused visit, a business roundtable, a civic and cultural reception, and a discussion with young people from across Ireland and the UK.

As to the state Senate Bill 6346, the precedent-setting “millionaires tax,” I have fears, doubts and concerns. In 2024, then-State Attorney General Ferguson’s office issued so-called “Chicken Checks” to residents from a $40 million settlement against canned chicken and tuna companies. Other checks went to wrong addresses, non-residents, unqualifyied recipients and deceased recipients. A concern is that when I apply for Social Security in the future, effectively one of those monthly checks per year will go toward the certainly-to-be-revised state income tax. Benjamin Franklin once wrote “in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.”Fabian BorowieckiEverett

Since 1963, The Independent has helped create a great community! Since our founding in September of 1963, The Independent has been dedicated to giving Livermore, Pleasanton, Dublin, and Sunol readers the news they need to be in-the-know about what's going on in the Tri-Valley region.

My lucky green coat is coming out of the ­wardrobe for its annual appearance. Cheltenham will be ­bouncing on St Patrick’s Thursday — if you can’t beat the Irish, there’s no better place to join them. Things get more competitive from then on and I will be siding with JORDANS CROSS in the ­ferociously competitive Jack Richards Novices’ Chase (2.00). Something, however, is drawing me to KABRAL DU MATHAN. In a stable packed with talent, this gelding might just be the best horse Dan Skelton has on his hands.

Developer John Fleming, one of the most high-profile casualties of the property crash, is back building in Cork, 15 years after he successfully filed for bankruptcy in Britain with debts of about €1bn. John F Kerr, John Fleming, Bertie Pope, and Séamus O’Mahony at Inchydoney Island Hotel which Fleming Construction completed in 1998. Among the more notable liabilities was Tivway Ltd, which paid about €245m at the height of the property boom for an 11.3-acre development site in Sandyford, Dublin. He is also owner of London-based contractor Tide Construction, which specialises in large residential schemes that use modular construction. Four Seasons, Ten Trinity Square, London, redeveloped by Tide Construction, a UK company founded by John FlemingThe scale of activity is considerable.