Author name: highlandnews

County Councils are being given a legal basis to use CCTV to prosecute people for dumping at black spots. The new rules are strictly for areas in which littering and dumping is a problem. It comes because video evidence presented previously was thrown out over privacy concerns. Junior Minister for the Circular Economy, Ossian Smyth

Planning permission has been sought this afternoon to see renovations to a hotel in Gweedore. If successful, An Ostán Úr, will see what’s believed to be a near €14 million investment which includes the construction of a wedding venue and 71 bedrooms. Local councillor Micheal Choilm Mac Giolla Easbuig says it would be of huge

A Midlands North West MEP has put forward four recommendations relating to the European Parliament’s report on the defective concrete block crisis in Ireland. Colm Markey has made the calls in relation to a wraparound support service for homeowners, calculating a clear figure of those who are affected, mandatory support from banks and to ensure

The Fianna Fail leader hasn’t confirmed if any women will be on its European Election ticket, following criticism from a Fine Gael MEP. Midlands North West MEP Maria Walsh said “male, pale and stale is a very common theme” after the party selected its third 56-year-old man to run for a seat in Brussels. Barry

The Enterprise Minister is in Belfast today for talks with the North’s Economy Minister. Simon Coveney and Conor Murphy will be discussing the almost 13 billion euro in annual cross border trade, and how post-Brexit trade will work. It’s the first meeting between a Minister of the Stormont Executive and a southern counterpart since the

A Donegal Deputy has today repeated calls for the TV Licence fee to be abolished. It comes after the Tanaiste suggested using Revenue to collect the TV Licence charge which could lead to a drop from its current €160 price. The government has committed to addressing the future of public service broadcasting funding, with two

The OPW has agreed to extend the opening hours of Grianan of Aileach. There has been much frustration in the area over restricted access to the local amenity. The revised opening hours are expected to be confirmed in the coming days. Donegal Deputy Padraig MacLochlainn says going forward improved communication with the local community is

Over €5 million is being invested in Killybegs Fishery Harbour Centre. Agriculture and Marine Minister Charlie McConalogue has today announced a €29.7 million funding package for harbour centres across the country today. The majority of the funding allocated to Killybegs will go towards the Smooth Point Pier Extension which is due for completion in the

The Tanaiste says he’s open to having Revenue collect the TV licence fee, with a reduction in the cost of it a realistic prospect. Micheal Martin admits however there is political concern around the idea, but he’s unequivocal in saying that people should pay the fee. As it stands, it costs 160 euro a year

Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohue told the Dail today that the government remains committed to the A5 project, and will shortly be publishing funding proposals to shore up the restoration of the Northern Executive and Assembly. He was being questioned by Donegal TD Thomas Pringle during a discussion on the government’s commitment to funding projects

The Riverine Park project is now on step closer after Derry City and Strabane District Council granted planning permission for the Strabane section of the project. The park will link Lifford and Strabane with a new pedestrian and cycle bridge, along with a community parkland which is intended to bring the two communities together and

Confirmation that the long awaited Habinteg Housing Association development in Castlefin has gone to tender has been widely welcomed. Construction of the 34 social housing unit project at Raphoe Road will begin in May. 10 of the units are designated for sheltered housing, 10 for persons with intellectual disabilities while the remaining 14 are earmarked

The Taoiseach doesn’t believe a united Ireland is in touching distance. However he hopes it could be achieved in his lifetime. It follows comments by Sinn Fein Leader Mary Lou Mc Donald on the prospect of Irish unity. Leo Varadkar doesn’t believe there is sufficient support for unity in Northern Ireland………………

Renters are being fleeced. That’s according to Donegal Deputy Pearse Doherty who was responding in the Dail today to figures published by the Residential Tenancies Board which show a large increase in the cost of rent for new tenancies in Donegal which is currently €987. He urged Finance Minister Michael McGrath to introduce a three

People in Donegal had the lowest disposable income in 2021. Data from the CSO shows it was just over €19,500 – 21% below the state average. In contrast, Dublin had the highest level of disposable income. Just over €27,900 was the average in the capital. The midlands and border counties see consistently lower levels of

A Donegal parent fears if cuts to the allocation of Special Education Teachers goes ahead not just those students with complex needs will be impacted. The Department of Education has removed the criteria for ‘complex needs’ in its allocation of additional resources to schools which will come into effect in the next school year. Emma

The National Women’s Council is hosting a referendum event in Letterkenny tomorrow. It’s part of the group’s Vote YesYes in the referendums on family and care on March 8th campaign. They will gather at the Donegal Women’s Centre tomorrow morning at 11am. Mary Herlihy, Manager of the Donegal Women’s Centre says it will be an

A public meeting is to be held in Milford next week to discuss the redevelopment of the former Reformed Presbyterian Church. The Milford and District Resource Centre received the building from the Reformed Presbyterian congregation in Milford in November 2022 and grants secured have allowed it to partially reopen. A €200,000 private donation has been

The Tanaiste says he hopes people aren’t being exploited in areas where there’s a shortage of GPs. An Irish Independent investigation found price differences of up to 50 euro for an appointment. Costs in the capital could hit up to €80, while Monaghan was uncovered to be the cheapest at €30 and Donegal was one

A status yellow weather warning for snow and ice is in place for the North West today. Met Éireann says the worst of the snow is expected on higher ground, particularly in the North and West Meanwhile a separate warning for rain has come into effect for 7 counties in the East and will remain

The Chair of Donegal County Council’s Strategic Planning Policy Committee says members of the council are insisting that the authority’s traditional ‘Family Ties’ policy be maintained in the new County Development Plan. A debate on the draft plan adjourned earlier this week, with members debating the recommendations of the Planning Regulator. The regulator is proposing

Early Childhood Ireland is calling on all Donegal Oireachtas members to support a new Single Agency for early years and school age care. The body has today, issued all Oireachtas members with its policy proposal outlining the importance of the establishment of such an agency to support the over 8,200 children enrolled in childcare settings

The state funeral for former Taoiseach John Bruton will take place this Saturday. He’ll lie in repose at Saints Peter’s and Paul’s Church in Dunboyne, County Meath from 7 o’clock on Friday evening. Funeral mass will then take place in the church at 11 o’clock on Saturday morning, followed by burial in Rooske Cemetery in

A Donegal gardener has set up a petition calling on Donegal County Council to cease using Roundup, a Glyphosate based weed killer. Barrie Quinn, owner of Portnoo Market Garden claims evidence shows the use of the product is damaging to people’s health and the environment. Last November, Ireland voted favour of a 10-year renewal of