Author name: highlandnews

Environment Minister travelling to Azerbaijan for COP29

Minister for the Environment Eamon Ryan will travel to Azerbaijan today for the COP29 climate negotiations. Ireland along with Costa Rica have been selected as the Ministerial Pair with responsibility for negotiations on climate adaptation. The talks take place in the shadow of global warming, along with wars in the Middle East, Ukraine and Sudan. […]

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Social Justice Ireland says new government will face key challenges in rural areas

Social Justice Ireland says the new government will face some key challenges in rural areas following the General Election. The independent social justice think-tank has outlined what it sees as obstacles facing policymakers. It wants to see people in rural communities have access to everyday services such as doctors, schools and pharmacies. Michelle Murphy Research

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Teachers Union hits out at Michael O’Leary following controversial remarks at FG event

The Ryanair boss is being slammed for his controversial remarks on teachers at a Fine Gael campaign event. Michael O’Leary said he “wouldn’t generally employ a lot of teachers to go out and get things done”. He told Fine Gael candidate Peter Burke’s weekend launch he thinks more accountants are needed in Government. Teachers Union

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Calls for urgent review of Ireland’s Critical Skillls list to tackle housing crisis

A candidate in the upcoming General Election says there must be an urgent review of Ireland’s Critical Skills List in a bid to address the housing crisis. It follows a recent report from the Fiscal Council indicating that the country requires an additional 80,000 construction workers to tackle pressing infrastructure needs. Fine Gael’s John McNulty

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Glebe House and Gallery recognised with Green Flag Award

Glebe House and Gallery has been recognised as one of Ireland’s best public parks and gardens, with the announcement of the 2024 International Green Flag Awards. The Office of Public Works welcomed the gallery was recognised for their provision of good quality parks and green spaces that are managed in environmentally sustainable ways. The awards

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Social Democrats say they want to see the creation of a senior Minister for Disability Services position

The Social Democrats say they want a senior Minister for Disability Services if elected to government. The party is also promising a 200 million euro investment for the capital city and a reduced 9 per cent VAT rate. It’s also planning for an increased Garda presence in Dublin City. Social Democrats Leader Holly Cairns says

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Real estate firm claims the use of hotels as migrant centres has been ‘destabilising’ for tourism industry

Many hotels are unlikely to return to the tourism industry after their contracts as migrant centres end, according to commercial real estate firm, CBRE. Figures published by Fáilte Ireland earlier this year found around 77 thousand beds from the tourism sector were being used as humanitarian accommodation. Eoghan O’Meara Walsh CEO of Irish Tourism Industry

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Organised crime and drug trafficking on Fianna Fáil priority list ahead of General Election

Fianna Fáil says it will further crack down on organised crime and drug trafficking if re-elected to government. Launching the party’s Urban Communities plan today, Junior Minister for the Department of Justice James Browne promised increased punishments for those involved with the supply of drugs. Introducing legislation to require online communication platforms to supply Gardaí

Organised crime and drug trafficking on Fianna Fáil priority list ahead of General Election Read More »

Taoiseach seeks EU-US summit to discuss impact of US Presidential Election

The Taoiseach says he wants to see an EU-US summit to discuss the impact on jobs and the economies following the US Presidential Election. President elect Donald Trump says he wants to impose tariffs on non-US goods being imported to the country, which could have an effect on Irish companies. He also said he would

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Historian claims Ireland could experience flash floods if environment is not prioritised

A university lecturer is warning Ireland could experience weather events such as the recent flash floods in Valencia, if the environment is not prioritised. Tomás Finn, lecturer in History at the University of Galway, has co-edited a book entitled ‘Inside Rural Ireland’, which looks at power and change since independence. He says while life in

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First Minister Michelle O’Neill first senior member of Sinn Féin to participate in Belfast Rememberance Sunday ceremony

The North’s First Minister has laid a wreath in Belfast to mark Remembrance Sunday. Michelle O’Neill is the first senior member of Sinn Féin to participate in the official ceremony. The move has prompted outrage from the families of some Troubles victims, who’ve accused her of populism. But Ms. O’Neill says it’s in line with

First Minister Michelle O’Neill first senior member of Sinn Féin to participate in Belfast Rememberance Sunday ceremony Read More »

Donald Trump offically secures all seven ‘battleground’ states

Donald Trump has secured all seven so-called ‘battleground’ US states. Arizona – the last to be called following this week’s election – has gone to the president-elect. The Democrats are now analysing what went wrong after a disastrous result. Law lecturer at University of Galway, Larry Donnelly says the party’s voter base is changing rapidly.

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Restaurant Association welcomes FG’s proposed VAT rate cut for hospitality sector

The Restaurants Association is welcoming Fine Gael’s plan for am 11 per cent VAT rate for parts of the hospitality sector. Taoiseach Simon Harris has made the promise for food-led businesses, excluding hotels, if his party returns to government. Meanwhile, the Social Democrats have put forward their own proposal to cut the VAT rate to

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Irish man arrested in Hungary on suspicion of murder of American tourist

An Irish man has been arrested on suspicion of murdering an American tourist in Hungary. Police launched a search operation after 31 year old Mackenzie Michalski disappeared from a nightclub in Budapest last Tuesday, November 5th. A 37 year old Irish man was arrested two days later after CCTV showed them leaving the nightclub together

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Traffic disruptions in Derry and Strabane due to parades

Motorists in Derry and Strabane are being advised that Rememberance Day services and parades will be taking place today. These services and events will take place at different times, in different areas, including in the city centre, Newbuildings, Magheramason, Newtownstewart, Strabane and Castlederg. Police are warning of possible traffic disruption. Between 8.45 and 9.15am, a

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Fine Gael announces plans to permanently cut VAT rate for hospitality businesses

Fine Gael has committed to a permanent cut in the VAT rate for hospitality businesses. At its campaign launch the party said it would cut the rate from 13.5 to 11 per cent within 100 days of returning to Government. It also plans to introduce a PRSI rebate for small businesses with less than 50

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Carol Gallagher selected as People Before Profit general election candidate

Carol Gallagher is to contest the next general election for People Before Profit in Donegal. The announcement was made last night on the party’s social media accounts. In a statement, Gallagher says she is “delighted” and wants to “offer the people of Donegal the chance to vote for a socialist alternative”.  

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Safety advice issued to those putting up General Election campaign posters

The importance of road safety should not be compromised during the General Election Campaign. That’s the warning from the RSA who are calling on politicans to adhere to safety practices while putting up campaign posters. Communications spokesperson with the RSA Aoibhinn Twomey says they’re asking campaign managers to be seen, and wear hi-vis jackets.

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Concerns raised about tomorrow’s deadline for postal and special ballots

There is concerns that some people have missed the deadline to apply for a special or postal ballot. Standard procedure is that the deadline to apply for such votes is two days after an election is called. However, as the election was called yesterday, the deadline is tomorrow, Sunday. According to the Gov.ie website, local

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Inpatient waiting lists up and outpatient lists down at LUH

National Treatment Purchase Fund figures have been released for October, showing a slight increase in the numbers on the inpatient waiting list at Letterkenny University Hospital, but a fall in the numbers waiting for outpatient appointments. There were 1,319 people awaiting inpatient appointments, up just over 8%, and 15,315 awaiting outpatients appointments, down almost 7%.

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Michael McMonagle jailed for nine months for child sex offences

Former Sinn Fein press officer Michael McMonagle has today been jailed for child sex offences. The 42 year old with an address at Limewood Street, Derry has been sentenced to nine months in prison for attempting to communicate sexually with children online. Mr McMonagle, has been sentenced to nine months in prison and nine on

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FF leader says his party will be campaigning for a better future for Ireland

The Tanaiste and Fianna Fáil Leader says his party will be campaigning for a better future for Ireland. Launching their campaign in the last few minutes, Micheal Martin says he’s looking forward to showcasing Fianna Fail’s policies in general election debates. He added he has “no worries at all” about coming head to head with

FF leader says his party will be campaigning for a better future for Ireland Read More »

Two Donegal schools included in Safe Routes to School Programme

Two Donegal schools are to benefit from school zone improvement works. A total of 141 schools across the country have been included in the latest round of the Safe Routes to School Programme. The works will see signage and road markings installed in front of Kilbarron National School and Scoil Naomh Padraig, Drumfries. The initiative

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Preferred route identified for Buncrana to Carndonagh Greenway

The third non-statutory public consultation for the Buncrana to Carndonagh Greenway Project is underway, with the preferred route option now identified. This follows a series of consultations last December, during which seven options were outlined. Public meetings will take place next week, in Buncrana on Wednesday and Carndonagh on Thursday. ***************************** Full details – PUBLIC

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Inishowen Cllr warns housing will not be delivered until changes to planning system are made

An Inishowen Councillor has warned that housing will not be delivered until changes are made to the planning system. Councillor Paul Canning says planning applications are continually being stalled due to objections and a lack of infrastructure in areas. There’s been repeated calls for a review of An Bord Pleanála. Cllr Canning told the Nine

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Driver caught speeding on National Slow Down Day in Donegal tests positive for drug driving

A driver was arrested in Donegal during National Slow Down Day after being caught speeding and drug driving. The Letterkenny Roads Policing Unit yesterday, detected the motorist travelling at 140kph in a 100kph zone. After being stopped, the driver then tested positive for cocaine. They were arrested and are due to appear in court. Gardai

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Inishowen Football League receives €460,000 for redevelopment of Maginn Park

The Inishowen Football League has received €460,000 from the Community Sports Facilities Fund. The funding will go towards the redevelopment of Maginn Park in Buncrana. Following an appeal through the Department of Tourism and Sport of an initial allocation of €184,000, the grant was increased. Also under the appeals process, Aileach Youth Club was allocated

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Donegal is Ireland’s most seismically active county

Donegal is Ireland’s most seismically active county. The Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies, in collaboration with Geological Survey Ireland are seeking citizen volunteers to help monitor earthquakes in the county. A special workshop is being held next week for anyone interested. Laura Reilly, DIAS’ Community Seismology Programme Officer is urging people to get involved:  

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