Author name: highlandnews

The Taoiseach says Israel must stop firing on UN peacekeepers in Lebanon, and listen to the voice of the international community. It follows reports two peacekeepers were injured when a tank fired towards a UNIFIL observation tower at Naquoura. Simon Harris says UN Peacekeepers must always be protected. He says he’s discussed the safety of […]

More than half of hospital consultants believe their working environment rarely or never reflects a culture of mutual support, cohesion, or trust. A new survey commissioned by the Irish Hospital Consultants Association found 76 per cent of consultants said they are very often or always in ‘firefighting mode’. The survey also revealed despite 72 per

There’s further calls for the hedge cutting policy to be revised. Councillor Michael McBride says the restrictions on the cutting of hedges along roads continues to raise serious health and safety concerns. Hedge cutting is only permitted between September and January. Councillor McBride believes extending the hedge cutting season by just two weeks would help

Donegal County Council is being urged to put a dedicated team in place to ensure that grit bunkers are filled throughout the area. The issue was raised by Cllr Donal Mandy Kelly, who also asked for grit piles to be left in rural areas ahead of the winter season. Officials promised that at the commencement

There’s ‘nothing good’ about the passenger cap at Dublin Airport, according to DAA. The Airport’s parent company is forecasting one thousand aviation jobs will be lost next year due to the 32 million passenger annual limit. DAA adds that flights for next year will increase, as slots have to be pulled from the airport. CEO

Mobile phones are dominating how people pay for things. Research from the Banking and Payments Federation of Ireland shows over half of all contactless payments are now made using mobile wallets, like Apple and Google Pay. Over 1-point-4 billion payments in shops and outlets across the country were contactless in the year to June, representing

The Government is being urged to urgently bring an amendment to legislation governing the Enhanced Defective Concrete Block Grant Scheme before the Dail. Yesterday, a 10% scheme cap increase was announced along with changes to square foot rates and ancillary grants. To ensure the change is available for all homeowners engaged with the scheme, an

It’s been confirmed a nurse will be available at Fahan Health Centre two days a week. A campaign to save the facility was launched earlier this year after it was claimed the public health nurse was no longer seeing patients at the centre. The HSE has officially confirmed that a nurse will now be available

There’s further calls for certainty to be provided over the future of cancer flights from Donegal. Yesterday, in responding in the Dail to Donegal Deputy Pearse Doherty, Tanaiste Micheal Martin says air links to the North West need to be kept open due to the lack of connectivity in the region. Earlier this month the

The Chief Executive of Donegal County Council has agreed to revisit plans to refurbish County House, Lifford. Consideration is being given to build a new Council Chamber as well as to give the exterior of the building a facelift. John McLaughlin has admitted that upgrades are needed in terms of access for people with a

Donegal County Council is being urged to adopt a policy to ensure every new social housing development in the county provides housing for people with SEN, AEN and physical disabilities. While commending the provision of services for those with special needs in the county, Councillor Fionán Bradley says the missing link is housing. The local

There’s been a drop in the number of towns and villages discharging raw sewage every day. A new EPA report shows the number has fallen from 29 down to 16 since the start of 2023. However, wastewater treatment at 10 large towns and cities failed to meet European Union standards, including Moville in Co Donegal.

Killybegs fish production is in trouble if ongoing issues are not addressed. Sinn Féin Chief Whip and Spokesperson on Fisheries and the Marine Padraig Mac Lochlainn raised the issue at a recent Oireachtas meeting. Mac Lochlainn says hundreds of jobs are at stake and there is an urgent need for change.

Details of the creation of a masterplan for Dunlewey and surrounding areas have been revealed. The plan will provide a roadmap to the development of the West Donegal village over the next 6 years, aiming to further enhance the area for the community and increase visitor numbers. The masterplan will consider key thematic areas including

At least nine people have died in Hurricane Milton. 48 people have been rescued with more than one-hundred ‘active missions’ still taking place. People have been ordered to stay indoors as powerful winds remain. Officials say more than 80-thousand people slept in shelters last night. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis says major flash flooding is expected

A Donegal Deputy has told the Tanaiste that the Donegal to Dublin flight is vital for cancer patients and any passenger cap should not be applied. The airline operating the service had been told that they must reduce their passenger numbers by 5%. Speaking at the Dáil, Deputy Pearse Doherty says that while it is

Water levels are continuing to rise in Florida in the aftermath of Hurricane Milton. Clean-up operations are beginning to take place as daylight shows the extent of the damage from the storm which made landfall overnight. People are being ordered to stay indoors as the Hurricane passes. Tommy Byrne, who is from Donegal and lives

A Donegal Deputy has told the Tanaiste that the CAMHS service has been brought to its knees under the Government’s watch. Deputy Pearse Doherty says the crisis in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services across the country is an emergency. He says those most in need are being locked out of the care they urgently

A Milford Councillor has hit out at the lack of plans for social housing in the area. As it stands, just 10 social homes are planned for Milford until 2026. Councillor Declan Meehan says that falls well short of the 254 units that are needed. He says efforts to address the housing shortage need to

The Housing Minister has described the Planning and Development Bill as the “most significant reform of our planning laws in over a quarter of a century”. The landmark legislation was passed by the Dáil last night – with 72 TDs voting in favour and 60 against. The law includes reform of the process for judicial

Disabilities Minister Ann Rabbitte has told the Dail she wants to see a report assessing the extent to which the recommendations of the Brandon Report have been implemented. She was responding in the Dail to Deputy Thomas Pringle, who asked if the report being compiled by Colm Lehane will be published, and whether it finds

The Housing Department has announced an increase in the cap and rates of the Defective Concrete Block Grant Scheme. The scheme’s cap is to be increased by 10% to €462,000, square foot rates are to be raised by between 7%-9% and ancillary grants are to increase by 10%. Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien says the adjustments

A Letterkenny councillor has suggested there is a pattern in Letterkenny where traffic fines are being issued in some areas more than others. Calling for a special workshop to discuss the work of the parking wardens in and around Letterkenny, Cllr Ciaran Brogan said there also needs to be a comprehensive review of the appeals

Donegal County Council is being urged to take a more targeted approach to tackle the high commercial vacancy rate in Ballybofey. The commercial vacancy rate in the town has consistently been the highest in the country according to Geo Directory. Councillor Patrick McGowan has questioned how the Government can tackle the issue if the local

General Election candidate, Pat the Cope Gallagher has welcomed the announcement by Stormont that funding for the upgrade of the A5 is approved. The project will begin in early 2025 and will be completed on a phased basis, expected to finished in five years’ time. The former Minister of State and Transport says he is

Hurricane Milton’s being described as ‘unsurvivable’ with winds starting to pick up ahead of its arrival in Florida, in the coming hours. Despite being downgraded to a Category 4 – officials say it’s still incredibly dangerous, and could be the worst to hit the state in a century. Orlando International Airport’s shut – with millions

The Taoiseach says his meeting with US President Joe Biden this evening will be an opportunity to urge the United States to try and de-escalate the situation in Lebanon. Simon Harris will meet with Mr.Biden to mark the 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Ireland and United States. However the original event has been completely