More than 12,000 pensioners have protested outside the Irish parliament in Dublin against benefit cuts for older people in last week's budget.
The protest was organised by the Irish Senior Citizens Parliament, with 350 affiliated organisations involved.
Offending measures included reductions in medical cards for over-70s and an increase in prescription charges for those still in possession of them. Around 35,000 people will lose the cards entitling them to free healthcare.
CLAUDIA WEBBE says the horrific price British patients will pay for this NHS deal is now clear — and there’s time to get out of it, if MPs will only force the issue
As peers prepare to debate reform of the 1861 Offences Against the Person Act, Labour MP Tonia Antoniazzi leads a bid to end the criminalisation of women who end pregnancies at home. LYNNE WALSH reports
The independent TD’s campaign has put important issues like Irish reunification and military neutrality at the heart of the political conversation, argues SEAN MacBRADAIGH


