Author name: highlandnews

The Dail has been told that there is no provision in Irish law for the banning of smoky coal from Northern Ireland. The issue was raised recently by Tipperary TD Jackie Cahill, who asked why the importation of solid fuel from Northern Ireland was not subject to any import or carbon taxes. It’s an issue […]

Internet cables between Ireland and the USA could be under threat after it emerged today that Russian ships were spotted in Irish waters last week. The Sunday Times reported today that two Russian vessels were spotted by Irish Navy vessel The George Bernard Shaw, and the Air Corps. The paper reports that the ships were

There are renewed calls for a citizens’ assembly on education. The Educate Together network says successive governments have failed to provide full access to multi-denominational education in Ireland. In particular, there are calls for more Educate Together schools at post primary level, with Letterkenny one of a number of towns where such a development has

Independent TD for Donegal, Thomas Pringle, this week called on government to invest in an inclusive and accessible transport infrastructure. Deputy Pringle this week supported a motion on transport support schemes for people with disabilities. The Deputy welcomed advances in accessible DART trains but called for them to be rolled out quickly while ensuring availability

Opinions are divided in Donegal as to whether or not there’s a need for a new political party representing farmers. The issue’s been raised by Independent TD Michael Fitzmaurice, who says the voices of the farming community are being lost in national debates. That’s a view that’s shared by Donegal Town Mart Manager Emer McGuinness………..  

  The Taoiseach has said the government remains committed to supporting the Ulster University campus at Magee College in Derry. The issue was raised in the Dail this week by People before Profit TD Richard Boyd Barrett, who said the issue was raised with him by a number of people while he was canvassing in

The Dail has been told it’s not acceptable that more than two years after a major bogslide close to a windfarm at Meenbog, no conclusions on what happened have been forthcoming, despite an immediate multi-agency enquiry. The issue was raised by Donegal Deputy Thomas Pringle, who said despite the delay in determining what happened, there

Junior Transport Minister Jack Chambers has launched a public consultation to inform a Mid-term Review of the Regional Airports Programme 2021-2025. This Programme supports Ireland’s smallest airports, and among its initiatives is the Public Service Obligation air services between Donegal and Dublin. Meanwhile, the government is being urged to support the resumption of an air

Donegal County Council has been told that by laws need to be introduced at piers and harbours in Inishowen which are set to become much busier on foot of changes introduced a week ago by Marine Minister Charlie McConalogue. He announced that Bungee, Glengad and Malin were being designated as EU entry ports for Northern

Nurses say they might have to strike later this year, as they cannot face another winter of overcrowding. A motion on safe staffing passed unanimously at the INMO’s annual conference in Kerry earlier. If significant improvements aren’t made, all members of the nurses’ union will be balloted this coming September. Sarah Maher, an ED nurse

RTE’s decision to broadcast the Coronation of Britain’s King Charles’ has provoked a mixed reaction. People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy claims the event is a ‘very obvious attempt’ to rehabilitate the monarchy. He believes the broadcaster shouldn’t provide four hours of coverage on Saturday. However, Donegal Commentator and Harvey’s Point Hotel Ambassador Noel Cunningham,

A Donegal based senator says a taxi driver refused to drop her home because she lived in a halting site. Eileen Flynn was raising issues on racism in Ireland and is the only member of the travelling community represented in the Oireachtas. Senator Flynn said she called the Gardaí saying the driver was committing a

The European Central Bank is increasing interest rates by a quarter of one per cent. It’s the seventh increase in a year and will impact tracker mortgages immediately. Announcing the move, the ECB says inflation has remained too high for too long. President of the ECB, Christine Lagarde, has indicated there could be further interest

The HSE will move away from the ‘winter plan’ format and create a new system to deal with year-round problems facing emergency departments. Its Chief Executive says a new strategy will take effect from June, which aims to ‘consistently’ respond to issues with urgent care. 447 people were waiting for a bed in the country’s

It’s expected interest rates will be raised by a quarter of one percent this afternoon. The European Central Bank is to announce the measure as it continues to battle with high inflation. Anyone on a tracker mortgage will see an immediate increase in their rates, while some variable rate holders could be impacted later in

The British Prime Minister is being urged to invoke powers to immediately grant planning permission for the A5. Following a series of tragedies on the route, most recently, claiming the lives of three family members last week, Donegal Senator Niall Blaney has written to Rishi Sunak imploring on him to give the go ahead for

A Donegal pharmacist doesn’t agree with concerns being raised over the use of codeine. Margaret O’Doherty of Raphoe Pharmacy says while it is an addictive medication, not everyone who takes it is an addict. There are ongoing discussions which could see codeine banned. Ms O’Doherty says it is very worrying for people who have been

The INMO’s Industrial Relations Officer for the North West, Neal Donohoe says while there has been an increase in recruitment at Letterkenny University Hospital, staff are still struggling to deal with the high attendances at the hospital. He says 60 additional nurses are required in the medical, surgical and emergency departments currently. Mr Donohoe says

A woman has been waiting for almost 18 hours now in the Emergency Department at Letterkenny University Hospital to be treated. Mary, presented at the ED at around 5:40pm yesterday evening with a suspected clot. Speaking on the Nine til Noon Show from the Emergency Department at the hospital, she says has still not been