Author name: highlandnews

The Health Minister is being urged to urgently release the required funding to develop a dedicated Critical Care Unit at Letterkenny University Hospital. A report by the National Critical Care Program on critical care facilities at the hospital says the existing facilities are suboptimal and highlighted the lack of critical care beds and isolation rooms.

There’s no shortage of projects that could be funded by the money from the Apple Tax windfall. That’s the view of Councillor Declan Meehan. It comes after a recent ruling that Apple must pay the Irish Exchequer €13 billion in backdated taxes. Councillor Meehan says while the money can’t be used for day to day

The Government is being urged to prioritise the protection of renters for the remainder of its term. The Labour Leader says the homeless crisis is being made worse because new tenants can’t find an affordable property to rent. The RTB reported an 8.1 per cent rent increase for new tenancies in the first 3 months

The Government has been called on to use some of the Apple Tax windfall for infrastructure investment in healthcare. The Irish Medical Organisation says it could finally deliver on increased bed capacity. On Tuesday, the European Court of Justice ruled that Apple must pay the Irish Exchequer 13 billion euro in backdated taxes. IMO President,

Minister Charlie McConalogue and former Leas Ceann Comhairle and TD Pat the Cope Gallagher have been selected to contest the next general election for Fianna Fail in Donegal. Councillor Micheal Naughton who had also been nominated for selection missed out at the party’s selection convention last night after one count of votes. Minister Charlie McConalogue

A Foyle MLA says the North’s Economy Minister must answer the challenge set out in the Magee taskforce report published yesterday. The report outlines how an investment of £700 million will be required to progress commitments secured ahead of it’s action plan later this year. The Taskforce says there is a stronger unity of purpose

Bord na Mona is inviting companies in Donegal to apply for inclusion in its Accelerate Green GROW and Accelerate Green START programmes, which are designed to equip promising Irish business owners with the skills and knowledge to scale their companies in Ireland and beyond. They are seeking applications from early-stage companies and innovative start-ups operating

Donegal County Council has promised to engage with the owners of derelict buildings on The Mall and the quay area in Ramelton, to have them structurally secured and  brought back into use. The issue was raised at a Municipal District meeting this week by Cllr Pauric McGarvey, who was told the team responsible for derelict

Defective Block Campaigners are protesting outside the Clanree Hotel in Letterkenny, where Fianna Fail’s General Election Selection Convention is due to take place this evening. Earlier, they cancelled a Go Slow protest that was to have taken place on the N15 four lane and dual carriageway, saying the driving element of the demonstration was cancelled

Both the Taoiseach and the Education Minister expect a State apology will be given to survivors of historic sexual abuse in schools. It’s after a scoping inquiry detailed almost 2 thousand 400 allegations in relation to 308 schools run by religious orders. Minister Norma Foley says she’s personally heartbroken this was the experience of so

Health and safety concerns have resulted in the Rescue 118 helicopter being forced to land more than three kilometres away from Letterkenny University Hospital. Due to lighting issues in the vicinity of the helipad, the Irish Coast Guard currently has to land at Letterkenny Airfield from where the casualty is transferred to the hospital via

The Taoiseach has maintained his position the government will run its full term. The coalition’s tenure is up in March 2025, but many have speculated a general election will be held this winter. But Simon Harris is pushing back against that:

A veterinary school for the Atlantic Technological University appears to be a step closer. It’s believed University of Limerick yesterday withdrew their bid for a vet school, leaving the ATU the preferred bidder. Dr Gerard Roarty says while this is a hugely significant step, it is still not over the line. He told the Nine

A cold snap’s heading our way. Temperatures are going to plummet tonight and we could even have frost. However Alan O’Reilly from Carlow Weather says it won’t last for long:

Over 60% of students say they don’t see themselves staying in Donegal after secondary school. A recent study, ‘Donegal Transport Report: The Forgotten County Active, transportation in rural areas’ has also revealed that over 90% of students strongly agree that the county needs trains while 54% believe they have been affected by transportation in Donegal.

Stormont leaders are in London today to discuss the pressure on Northern Ireland’s finances with the British Chancellor. It comes just days after the Executive published its programme for government in which one of the key priorities is to cut waiting list times. First Minister Michelle O Neill said she would continue to put pressure

Members of Letterkenny Milford Municipal District are seeking regular updates on the progress of projects being funded under the Urban Regional Development Fund. Over twenty five euro has been allocated to the district over the past five years for projects such as the old courthouse, Market Square, and the Alpha and Beta centres on the old

Works to rebuild a wall at Lough Salt are getting underway today, with more money being sought by Donegal County Council to widen a dangerous bend on the other side of the lough. Cllr Liam Blaney told members of Letterkenny Milford MD that part of the original wall was effectively demolished when a car hit

Finance Minister Jack Chambers is being asked to provide financial support in the forthcoming Budget to allow Údarás na Gaeltachta and other agencies support the provision of housing for Irish speakers in Gaeltacht areas. A submission from the Gaeltacht based organisation BÁNÚ  says it is very difficult for Irish speakers to find suitable housing. Very

The Health Minister says the money from the Apple tax ruling is likely to be used on a combination of different things. The Government is considering how best to spend the 14 billion euro following the landmark ruling. The Taoiseach says the money, which will take months to be drawn down, can’t be used for

More than half of businesses had fewer customers this summer compared to the same period last year. The Fáilte Ireland Tourism Barometer found the sector reported a disappointing summer with visitor numbers down in all markets. The food and drink sector struggled the most, with 68 per cent receiving fewer customers. Eoghan O’Meara Walsh, CEO

The British Government has announced a public inquiry into the murder of Belfast solicitor Pat Finucane. He was shot in front of his wife and children at their family home in February 1989. The 39 year old’s killing was one of the most high profile of the Troubles. A previous review of the case confirmed