An East Galway TD has welcomed confirmation by Revenue that the VAT treatment of food supplements will remain unchanged until 1^s November 2019.

Minister Ciaran Cannon said that the decision is in light of the Minister for Finance setting out plans to examine the policy and legislative options for the taxation of food supplements.

Minister Cannon said: “Having received a number of representations on this issue from people in Galway, I am pleased to note confirmation from Revenue that the VAT treatment of food supplements will remain unchanged until 1^st November 2019.

“Following growing concerns of industry representative bodies about the difficulties in distinguishing between food supplement products which could be zero rated and those which should be standard rated, Revenue undertook a comprehensive review on the VAT treatment of food supplements.

“Following the review Revenue issued new guidance in December 2018, applicable from 1^st March 2019.

“On Monday last (25^th February), the Minister for Finance wrote to Niall Cody, Chairman of the Revenue Commissioners, outlining that in the course of the Committee Stage debate on the Finance Bill last November he “gave a commitment to address the matter by means of a specific paper to the tax strategy group during the summer period.

“At that time Minister Donohoe stated that “Independent of Revenue’s decisions on interpretation, I will put in place a process that will conclude in the TSG papers to examine some of the policy choices that could be available.

“In his letter, Minister Donohoe outlined that “To ensure that this policy review will be effective, I propose to issue a public consultation seeking engagement from all parties on the issue and to consult with my colleague, the Minister for Health, to ascertain his views on the use of food supplements.

‘Minister Donohoe added that he was “of the view that this approach provides a way of bringing forward the necessary analysis and information to facilitate my consideration of options regarding the legislative provisions concerning the VAT treatment of products in this sector.

Minister Cannon added: “In support of the Minister’s proposed process of review, and to allow time for the enactment of any legislative changes (if any) as a result thereof in Budget 2020, Revenue has confirmed to Minister Donohoe that it will delay implementation of its new guidance until 1^st November 2019.”

Nicola Coughlan, who plays Clare Devlin in the award-winning Derry Girls, has hit out at the abortion laws in the North at a protest in London yesterday.

Twenty-eight women marched in London to highlight the 28 women who travel from Northern Ireland to Britain every week to have an abortion.

The protesters delivered a petition signed by 62,000 people demanding a change to the strict abortion laws in the North.

The North of Ireland is one of the only places in Western Europe where abortion is criminalised.

Speaking to Sky News, Coughlan said that it is unfair that women in the region are ‘treated like criminals’.

“People are treating it like it’s not their problem, but it’s somebody’s problem.

“People in down south now in Ireland – we have access to this healthcare.

“People in the rest of the UK, have access to the healthcare.

“It’s ridiculous that people in Northern Ireland are treated like criminals in their own country for trying to access this,” she said.

Most parties in the North take a conscience position on abortion except the ultra-conservative DUP, whose MLAs are whipped on the issue.

All DUP MLAs have always voted against abortion reform in the past.

New figures released today by a leading protection company may inspire the tens of thousands of smokers in Galway to empty their ashtrays once and for all.

Royal London’s new figures show that smokers can pay twice as much for life insurance than their non-smoking counterparts.

The company says it is highlighting these cost comparisons to encourage the thousands of people across the island who are challenging themselves to break away from their nicotine addiction for good.

Tadhg Malone of Royal London in Galway explained: “Each year, for thousands of people throughout the country, the goal is to give up smoking.

“The most recent Healthy Ireland Survey 2018 estimates that approximately 20% of the population who are over 15 years of age are smokers – that’s over 750,000 people nationally.

“Within Galway alone, that would mean there’s an estimated 40,835 smokers within the county, based on 2016 CSO population figures.

“Not only is there a major health benefit in the offing but potentially there is a large financial one too.

As you might imagine smokers pay more in premiums for life insurance than non-smokers, due to the many damaging health effects of cigarettes, but people may not be aware of just how sizeable the difference can be between the premiums charged.”

Recent cost analysis from Royal London reveals the stark difference in premiums paid by smokers and non-smokers that can accumulate over the term of a policy.

For instance, a smoker turning 45 on their next birthday will pay over €16,600 more in premiums than their non-smoking counterpart for €300,000 worth of Level Term Life Cover over a 25 year term.

A smoker can expect to pay over €63,900 more than a non-smoker during the course of a Specified Serious Illness policy for €300,000 over a 25 year term.

Commenting on the cost analysis, Mr. Malone said: “There is a massive difference in price when you consider how much the savings add up over the lifetime of the cover.

“So aside from the obvious health benefits of quitting publicised by medical and healthcare professionals, there are quite clear financial gains to be made, which include a potential reduction in the cost of your life insurance.”

NUI Galway has welcomed members of the travelling community to the Access to Nursing and Midwifery Workshop to mark Irish Traveller ethnicity celebrations.

The workshop was held ahead of Irish Traveller Ethnicity Day which takes place annually on 1 March. 

Irish Traveller Ethnicity Day marks the anniversary of Travellers gaining ethnic status, while celebrating Travellers culture and heritage including music, craft traditions and language.

The aim of the workshop was to introduce the Nursing and Midwifery programmes, Pathways to University, and other student supports available at NUI Galway to the members of the Irish travelling community. 

NUI Galway’s Dr Bróna Mooney and Bernard McCarthy gave an overview of General Nursing, Mental Health Nursing, and Midwifery Programmes and a Nursing and Midwifery Skills demonstration.

Mature Students Officer, Trish Bourke outlined the pathways available to access third-level education, while highlighting the strong network of supports for the student body that are available at NUI Galway. 

Owen Mac an Bhaird said: “The main objective of this workshop is to empower members of the travelling community to enter third level education, while being encouraged and supported by NUI Galway.

“As a direct result from the workshop, five members of the travelling community have begun the process of student registration for the academic year 2019/20.”