Author name: highlandnews

The Environment Minister says the government’s plan will ensure people will be able to heat their homes this winter. The rising cost of energy was the main issue being raised in the Dáil this morning, with the government and opposition parties taking different approaches to addressing it. Sinn Fein has called for a cap on

A South Donegal Deputy has told the Education Minister that there are 6,000 people taking up spaces on school buses on the basis ‘they might need it and that ‘it would be nice to have it’ as opposed to those who do need it. Minister Norma Foley has appeared before the Oireachtas Education committee where

A local Councillor has raised concerns about the dire conditions of an 82-year-old man’s home in Rathmullan. Cllr Ian McGarvey explained some parts of the house which was purchased from the Council over 30 years ago is subsiding, and the roof is partly being held up by two Acro Jacks. The council says the house

The European Affairs Minister says the government is working to make sure essential climate measures do not negatively impact struggling families. It’s after an EU wide survey found 60 per cent of people here think plans to solve the energy crisis should be prioritised over meeting climate goals. The European Movement Ireland opinion poll found

The outgoing PRO of the Mica Action Group has said while he believes a new government will be necessary to deliver an acceptable Defective Blocks Scheme, he is not supporting any political party. Michael Doherty, who stepped down at the group’s AGM this week told Greg on today’s Nine til Noon Show that while Sinn

The Agriculture Minister says fertilizer prices will continue to be a challenge for farmers into next year. The cost of fertilizer which was widely produced in both Ukraine and Russia prior to the war, has tripled in price since March. Last week the UN raised concerns about the availability of fertilizer, ahead of the autumn

The Education Minister is due before an Oireachtas committee today, over issues facing the new free school transport scheme. Minister Norma Foley will take questions from TDs and Senators as many parents report not being able to access bus places for their children. The scheme was introduced in an effort to help families cope with

Users of disability and community services are set to be hit by rolling strike action in Donegal, Cork, Kerry, Galway and Mayo. Workers in community and so-called ‘section 39’ organisations are staging the three day action in a dispute over pay. Unions say the health and social-care workers in the agencies which are funded by

A Donegal TD is urging Agriculture and Marine Minister Charlie McConalogue to ensure next week’s budget includes an emergency financial aid package to address the fuel crisis in the fishing industry. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn says other European countries have introduced subsidies and other measures to offset fuel increases, and that must happen here. After

The Health Minister says it’s no longer tenable to cite Covid 19 as a reason not to reopen day care services for the elderly. The issue was raised in the Dail by Sligo Leitrim and South Donegal TD Marian Harkin, who said a number of centres still haven’t reopened. Ms Harkin raised the issue after

Concerns have been raised about the potential presence of a fatal fungus in trees on the Business Park Road in Letterkenny. Cllr Donal Coyle raised concerns about the presence of Ash Die Back in Ash trees along the road after observing visible signs of the fungus on the trees. The council has confirmed they will

Concerns have been raised that the new traffic light system at the Pearse Road in Letterkenny is starting to impact businesses and the image of the town. Cllr Gerry McMonagle raised concerns saying it seems the new traffic lights are hindering rather than helping the traffic in the town. He called for a public consultation

Ireland’s European Commissioner says now could be an ‘opportune moment’ to resolve tensions around the Northern Ireland Protocol. Mairead McGuinness says Britain and the EU are on the same side in many ways, particularly when it comes to sanctioning Russia. Since her appointment as UK Prime Minister, Liz Truss and her new cabinet have yet

It’s emerged that Donegal County Council spends an average of €80,500 each year on chemical weedkillers. A report from The Journal revealed that 28 out 31 local authorities in Ireland are still using chemical herbicides such as ‘Roundup’ which has been linked to cancer. Nature reporter, Anthea Lacchia, Noteworthy, the investigative platform from The Journal

Investigations are continuing into a hit and run in Ballybofey. A black VW Tiguan involved in the incident on Saturday last was later found abandoned on the Glenfin road. Sergeant Charlene Anderson is appealing for information:

400 applications to the Mica redress scheme are awaiting decisions while to date, just 13 homes have been repaired. Minister Charlie McConalogue says a meeting yesterday with Donegal County Council management revolved around how to progress applications as quickly as possible. A meeting is due to take place between the local authority and the Department

The Cathaoirleach of the Letterkenny Milford Municipal District will today ask officials to carry out a full inspection of all footpaths in the district. Figures seen by Councillor Donal Mandy Kelly show a significant increase in compensation payments for injuries sustained in falls. In a motion to be taken today, Cllr Kelly proposes that the

The government must be seen to implement radical measures to ease the plight of families who are facing financial ruin due to skyrocketing prices. That’s according to the Cost of Living Coalition who will outline plans for a major protest on housing and the cost of living later this morning. Eddie Conlon of the Coalition

Around 1,300 people die prematurely here each year because of poor air quality. The Environmental Protection Agency’s annual air quality report has found that while air quality is generally good here, there are localised issues of concern. Air quality in Letterkenny was found to be good. However, large spikes of SO2 were observed during the

A key Mica campaigner in Donegal says she believes a conference in Letterkenny in November could prove a pivotal step on the road to just and lasting conclusion to the defective blocks scandal in Donegal. A number of scientific and engineering experts will be at the Donegal ATU for the conference on November 15th, the

Over 17 hundred events will take place across the country this coming Friday, as Culture Night returns, with over 20 events planned for Donegal. The annual celebration was launched this afternoon in Dublin. The Director of the Arts Council is Maureen Kennelly………..   https://culturenight.ie/location/donegal/

  An international conference on mica and defective concrete blocks is set is be held at the ATU campus in Letterkenny in November. This conference will be the first day in a three day research focused event which will see leading international experts in geology, earth sciences and engineering attend the event. The conference will

A Mica homeowner says she lives in fear each day that the chimney of her property will fall in and kill her. Ellen Doherty has been left distraught after a wall and fence to the rear of her home was recently damaged during by a storm but due to the presence of Mica, her insurance

Two men have been arrested and £30,000 worth of drugs seized in Strabane. The pair were detected by Police who were conducting a check point in the Lifford Road area shortly before midnight when they noted a vehicle turning and driving in the opposite direction. The car was subsequently stopped and searched, with officers seizing

The flying of the national flag at half mast at Council buildings in Donegal has been obstructed in two areas. The Taoiseach requested the flying of the flags at half mast as the funeral of Queen Elizabeth takes place. However, Councillor Micheál Choilm Mac Giolla Easbuig travelled to Letterkenny public services centre to physically raise