Finance Minister Simon Harris signals return of tax cuts after backlash over budget‘We want money from hard work going to families, not to the taxman,’ says TánaisteTánaiste and Finance Minister Simon Harris said he wants hard workers to have more money in their pocketsCónal Thomas Today at 06:30Tax cuts for workers will be back on the table for the next four years if public finances remain stable, Tánaiste and Finance Minister Simon Harris has said.

As we exit a turbulent 2025 and head into the new year, there are a number of burning questions that are likely to cause indigestion to those trying to run a business in 2026. Responding to these burning questions with answers that matter may determine success or failure, not just in the next 12 months, but perhaps for the long term. Tariffs have been keeping executives up most nights through 2025, with virtually no manufacturing or supply-chain organisation in Ireland left untouched. But Ireland has run out of the necessary electric grid capacity to meet these rising data centre requirements. Cybersecurity is considered the next burning issue as we head into 2026.

The level of funding Stormont allocates to NI Water is currently below what the company needs to fund many required upgrades to the network. Build Homes NI has called on political leaders to urgently address the problem and introduce an infrastructure levy of potentially around £2 a week in domestic rates bills. Mr McErlean said soaring house prices and rental costs in the region were a direct consequence of the shortage of new homes. “For many years we have been transforming NI Water into a more efficient, resilient and innovative utility that is helping us to navigate these challenges. “This is already above the 4,300 that NI Water had originally planned to connect, if fully funded, by the end of this Price Control Period in 2028,” the spokesperson said.

Celtic manager Wilfried Nancy claims it is just “nuances” that will stop his team’s games being “chaotic”. Celtic have now conceded 13 goals in six games under Nancy, the first four of them defeats, and the Frenchman admitted they contributed to a “chaotic” second half by not managing possession better. But Livi put Celtic under pressure from set-pieces just before the break and caused problems for long spells in the second half as well. Livi, now without a win in 17 games, recorded 13 shots at goal and 26 touches in the Celtic box. They created chances and I felt their press was much, much better in the second half than the first.”

He can chuckle when annoyed, or when the adrenaline is pumping out of him, or when talking about the battalion of Leinster products playing for the other provinces. The Leinster skipper is, of course, a Mayoman but one moulded by his private school experiences in Dublin and progression through the Leinster ranks. Ideally they’re playing for Leinster but he also wants to set them on their journey to professional careers. “I was curious the way Clayton talked after the [Croke Park] game about a dogfight. Ball carriers on the ground, as you’re trying to place the ball they’re trying to grab your arms, play your hands.

By Cillian Sherlock, Press AssociationA junior minister urged the Government not to be “hiding” from debate during the divisive 1995 divorce referendum campaign, which passed by the slimmest of margins. Government files from 30 years ago made public by the National Archives of Ireland this weekend reveal details of government plans for the vote. The November 1995 referendum passed by 50.28 per cent to 49.72 per cent, leading to amendment of the Constitution to allow for divorce under certain conditions. “There is a possibility the secretariat of state may raise the matter with me directly at some stage. He said: “This Bill is exceptionally important and the government should not be seen to be hiding from debate on it.

Robert Boake at his home in east Belfast (Liam McBurney/PA)“The creative process is unbelievable,” he said. “During my time as the Westeros-finding location scout, I would keep voice memos, because I have songs on the go all the time. I’d be on Binevenagh (mountain in Co Londonderry) or I’d be somewhere in Kerry and these ideas, these beautiful landscapes, would be triggering these song ideas. And so I have a huge, huge backlog of things to get through.”He added: “It’s really nice to complete something. He wrote the musical score for her film Wildkind, which premiered at the Galway Film Fleadh during the summer.

Officials warned a cut in VAT for cafes, restaurants, and fast-food chains would come at an “extremely significant” cost to the taxpayer and would create a lot of “deadweight” by supporting businesses that did not need help. Officials said if three proposed cuts to VAT – including measures on energy and apartment sales – went ahead, the tax loss would be €1.2 billion. The submission said most hospitality businesses would simply pocket the savings generated from the tax reduction. In advance of the budget, there were discussions over whether the tax cut could be more targeted to exclude highly profitable fast-food chains or restaurants in hotels. “This could lead to the underpayment of VAT because the charge for accommodation and meals would have to be apportioned,” the submission said.

On a weekday afternoon in a quiet corner of a London studio, Darragh Ennis is getting ready to go to work. By “work”, he means stepping into one of the most-watched shows on British and Irish television, where he will — on command — transform into ‘The Menace’, the soft-spoken Irish scientist who became an unlikely household name. At the moment, though, he’s still in his dressing room, half-chatting, half-prepping, and entirely unfazed by the fact that millions of people will soon be shouting answers at him through their televisions.

Ronan O’Gara has brought fly-half Antoine Hastoy straight back into La Rochelle’s starting line-up on his return from suspension for their final match of 2025 at Toulouse on Sunday. Toulouse-La Rochelle is the third and final Top 14 match of the final Sunday of 2025. Meanwhile, new Toulon arrival Tomas Albornoz has been named on the bench for his debut outing against Perpignan at Stade Mayol, alongside the returning Gabin Villiere. Four second-half touchdowns handed Castres a 36-22 win over Lyon at Stade Pierre Fabre. The Parisians have now lost a lead in the 80th-minute of their last three Top 14 outings.

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French actress Brigitte Bardot dies aged 91By Press Association ReporterFrench actress Brigitte Bardot has died at the age of 91. The film star earned worldwide fame as one of the most recognisable faces of post-war cinema but later withdrew from the showbusiness world to devote her life to causes such as animal rights. Known widely as BB because of her initials, pronounced bebe, the French word for baby, Bardot starred in dozens of movies, with Et Dieu Crea La Femme (And God Created Woman) often seen as the film that propelled her to worldwide fame. The Brigitte Bardot Foundation, which is dedicated to the protection of animals, told the Associated Press that she died at her home in southern France.

Scientists in Ireland have discovered improvements in growing “mini brains” in laboratories, which could benefit studies into strokes, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. The research examined the potential development of blood vessels in small clumps of brain cells – referred to as cerebral organoids or “mini brains”. The result was that organoids grew bigger and had fewer cells dying in the middle. They also observed behaviour similar to the protective blood-brain barrier, which could mean the research is relevant for studies on diseases that involve the brain. “And we also saw that cells involved in forming some of those blood vessels came from the organoid itself.

'She's been stressed because she knew the separation would eventually become public and she was dreading it,' a source told People in early October. However it wasn't to last and the pair went their separate ways in October after realizing the 'spark had gone' per The US Sun. A source told US Weekly: 'They have gone out on a few dates in London. The couple went public with their romance in March 2022 when they walked the red carpet at W Magazine‘s pre-Oscars party. After the grand gesture the pair's relationship went from strength to strength and they tied the knot in an intimate ceremony in Rome in 2012.

Retired London banker Valentine Furniss, 87, no longer understands that Henry is his son, or even a close family member. 'If he'd had a worse lifestyle, perhaps he'd have developed dementia in his late 60s, rather than his 80s. 'There's enough evidence to suggest dementia is a lifestyle disease, like type 2 diabetes. Dr Richard Oakley, associate director of research and innovation at Alzheimer's Society says that dementia is 'not an inevitable part of ageing'. 'That's why the Alzheimer's Society funds dementia research, providing hope for the future while transforming lives today.'