Author name: highlandnews

The head of Ryanair says Dublin Airport can usually offer 250,000 extra seats to airlines at Christmas, but not this year. Dublin Airport’s operator revealed yesterday that 26 million people had passed through so far in 2024. It’s moving closer to breaching the passenger cap, despite making cuts in an effort to comply with the

Israeli forces have struck Hezbollah targets in Beirut in Lebanon. They’ve also told residents of more towns in the south to evacuate, as Hezbollah also carries out new strikes. The Department of Foreign Affairs has advised around 150 Irish citizens to leave the region. Kildare South Independent TD Cathal Berry says Irish troops are well

  Children as young as 14 are being exposed to extremely high levels of gambling marketing in Ireland. An all island report published by Maynooth and Ulster Universities shows people are being provided with an unbalanced view of gambling, with most communications they receive downplaying the risks. The report singles out darts and horse racing

The Head of College at ATU Donegal has said the university wants to become the lead facility in the Republic for cross border cooperation in education. Paul Hannigan has been appointed ATU Vice President with responsibility for Cross Border engagement, and a special engagement centre has been established in the Letterkenny campus. Mr Hannigan says

The President Michael D Higgins has described Mary O’Rourke as having a shrewd and magnetic approach to politics. She has died at the age of 87. During her time in politics she held numerous ministerial portfolios – including Education and Health. Education Minister Norma Foley described her as a great leader:

Ryanair passengers will no longer be able to use a paper boarding pass from next year. The airline says it will only issue boarding cards on the mobile app from April or May. At the moment, the vast majority of people use the app, it says. Ryanair Chief Executive, Michael O’Leary believes it’ll be a

The Managing Director of City of Derry Airport says he wants to see a Derry to Dublin service back in the air, and discussions to make that happen are continuing. Speaking on today’s Nine til Noon Show, Steve Frazer said they’re seeking to secure a PSO backed service, and in tandem with that, they are

The Banking and Insurance Redress Focus Group has hit out at what it says was the unilateral disbandment of a working group by the Department of Housing. The group, which, was heralded as a major initiative by government last year, brought campaigners, banks, the Central Bank and department officials together, but after two meetings, it

The Tánaiste has again denied there will be a November election. It follows reports today that legislation, such as the Finance Bill, is being fast-tracked to facilitate an early election. The Finance Bill must be passed to give effect to some budget measures, and the suggestions are that it will be approved by the Dail

Donegal Deputy Pearse Doherty has pleaded with the Finance Minister to ‘see sense’ and not waste €9 million on pouches to stop smartphone use in schools. Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald has written to the Taoiseach Simon Harris – describing it as a ‘scandalous waste’ with many schools struggling to provide heat and electricity.

The 100% Redress Party have said they are dedicated to making the People’s Document a central theme in the upcoming general election. The Document was launched in March of this year, and sets out what is required to achieve a genuine 100% redress scheme for all those with properties affected by defective concrete. The party

Planning permission has been granted for the major refurbishment of a hotel in West Donegal. Óstán Ghaoth Dobhair in Bunbeg has been lying vacant for a number of years and has fallen into a state of disrepair. Donegal County Council has this week given the green light for works to be carried out to deliver

The ‘Into The West’ rail campaign group is calling for the €14 billion Apple tax to be used to fund and expedite the restoration of rail to Letterkenny. While unveiling Budget 2025, Finance Minister Jack Chambers confirmed that the windfall would be invested in four key aspects of infrastructure – water, electricity, housing and transport.

A South Donegal Deputy has described Budget 2025 as one that is lacking in sustainable impact and where balanced regional development is forgotten. Deputy Marian Harkin says despite huge resources at its disposal, the Government has failed to deliver lasting and transformative change. Speaking in the Dail she says the fallout of the budget will

The Junior Transport Minister says the Irish Government remains committed to co-fund the construction of the A5. Last evening, the North’s Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd gave the green light for works to begin on the Western Transport Corridor. Works are due to commence early next year on the stretch from Strabane to Ballygawley. Earlier this

It’s claimed it will take 85 years for all defective block homeowners to receive the redress they are entitled to. Donegal Deputy Padraig MacLochlainn has hit out at the €70 million included in Budget 2025 which is to fund the defective concrete block grant scheme and the defective apartment redress scheme. He says it is

The PSNI is being fined €900,000 over last year’s major data breach. That’s despite attempts to get that figure reduced, amid financial pressures in the police service. The leak in August 2023 resulted in sensitive information about all officers and staff getting into the hands of dissident republicans. The investigation heard from those affected. Here’s

The US Special Envoy to Northern Ireland says educational links between North and South are critically important. Joseph P. Kennedy III, the great grandnephew of US President John F Kennedy was yesterday, awarded an honorary doctorate at the Atlantic Technological University in recognition of his outstanding contributions to public service, civil society, and peacebuilding. He

Councillor Donal Coyle has been re-elected as Chair of Donegal ETB. The former teacher and school principal will take on the role for a second term. He has welcomed the confidence members have in him to enable him retain his position as Chair. Councillor Coyle says he looks forward to continuing his work to ensure

The Western Development Commission has marked its 25th anniversary with the publication this morning of a report assessing where it has succeeded in its objectives, but also examining what remains to be achieved, and where it needs to improve. The report, which was produced independently, acknowledges notable successes, such as job creation, economic growth, and

Older people, at-risk groups and health and care workers in the North West are being urged to get vaccinated and protect themselves against both the flu and COVID-19. The HSE is warning that both viruses can cause serious illness. Last winter over 4,000 people were hospitalised with flu and over 7,000 hospitalised with COVID-19. Vaccines

The US Special Envoy to Northern Ireland has been recognised today by the Atlantic Technological University for his outstanding contributions to public service, civil society, and peacebuilding. Joseph P. Kennedy III who is the grandnephew of US President John F Kennedy, was awarded an Honorary Doctorate during a ceremony at the ATU’s Letterkenny campus today.

The Executive Chairman of Emerald Airlines has expressed concern that the passenger cap at Dublin Airport will potentially have a negative impact on Donegal, and could mean the airline doesn’t apply to retain the contract when it comes up for renewal in 2026. Conor McCarthy says the airline, which operates the Donegal Dublin service under

Derry City Councillor Sandra Duffy has hailed confirmation from Economy Minister Conor Murphy that his department intends to take over the annual subsidy of City of Derry airport. Describing the announcement as a ‘game-changer’ for the local council, Cllr Duffy says the annual subsidy costs the council almost £3.5 million a year, and with the

An Independent TD for Donegal has slammed the omission of the defective concrete block crisis from this years budget. Deputy Thomas Pringle in his budget statement says that the housing allocations are being misplaced, and in reality will not do much to help the housing crisis. He says that €210 million is needed to ensure