Author name: highlandnews

The Housing Minister says he’s not surprised that People Before Profit are bringing a motion of no confidence against him next week. Darragh O’Brien says they’re entitled to bring the motion – but he claims it’s a cynical exercise to deflect attention away from the work the Government is doing. That’s despite a large chunk […]

A local Councillor has called on the council to fix a number of street lights in areas across in Inishowen. At the recent Inishowen Muncipial District meeting, Councillors raised concerns about the street lights in a number of areas particularly Buncrana and Lisfannon. Cllr Nicholas Crossan explained that six decorative street lights are out in

A Donegal TD told the Oireachtas Fisheries Committee this week that the government won’t provide fuel subsidies to struggling fishing communities, but is happy to give tax breaks to big businesses. Deputy Thomas Pringle said other EU states provide subsidies, but Ireland refuses to follow suit, arguing that because marine fuel isn’t taxed, subsidies aren’t

Doctors have been inundated with demands for antibiotics, which is contributing to a medicine shortage. That’s according to the Irish Medical Organisation. It comes as the Irish Pharmacy Union reported 4 antibiotics containing penicillin are out of stock. Stranorlar based Dr Denis McCauley chairs the IMO’s GP committee. He says concerns around Strep A and

A Midlands North West MEP believes Ireland is not doing enough to combat child trafficking and criminal exploitation. Maria Walshe is welcoming a European Commission’s Anti-Trafficking Directive this week, outlining requirements for member states, including actions to discourage and reduce the demand for trafficking as weel as for awareness. Ireland is currently Tier 2 on

A local Councillor believes the plan for five new surgical hubs will greatly benefit the people of Donegal despite the North West being excluded from the plan. Plans are in the early stages for the creation of five new surgical hubs to be located in Cork, Galway, Limerick, Waterford and Dublin. Concerns have been raised

It’s emerged that residents on Tory Island are to be left without a nurse once again. Next week there will be no provision in place on the island for a number of days. Councillor Micheal Choilm Mac Giolla Easbuig says this ongoing issue is totally unacceptable. He says the HSE need to urgently step up:

There’s been a positive step forward for homeowners living in uninhabitable defective block affected properties. It was confirmed last night that storage and accommodation grants will be made available next week for those properties that are no longer safe to live in. €15,000 will be available for alternative accommodation while €5,000 has been set aside

Power cuts at this time of the year are not an option. That’s the view of Mayo TD Michael Ring in reaction to higher than usual demand on the grid due to the cold weather. The Tanaiste says it’s extremely unlikely there’ll be blackouts despite concern about energy supply. Deputy Ring says Leo Varadkar can

A Donegal deputy has welcomed the news that legislation that would hold insurers to account and lower premiums is set to proceed to Committee Stage. The legislation would require the insurance industry to provide information to the Central Bank outlining how the cost of claims have reduced as a result of the new Personal Injuries

The country is currently under a status yellow low temperature and ice warning which’ll continue until midday today. Met Éireann is warning drivers of hazardous conditions. Meanwhile, a yellow warning for snow and ice is in place until midday on Saturday for Donegal. Alan O’Reilly from Carlow Weather says conditions are poor out there this

Concerns have been raised about the condition of one of the busiest roads in Inishowen. The slab road leads from Bunfoot to the main Derry to Letterkenny Road and recently the Council has been encouraging people to travel via Bridgend and avoid the road. However, Cllr Jack Murray says the road remains one of the

Failte Ireland will today launch a Destination Experience Plan for the Inishowen Peninsula, laying out how it hopes to grow tourism in the area over the next three to five years. It comes as significant funding was announced this week under the Shared Island initiative for the linking of the Causeway Coastal route in counties

Ireland is no longer dealing with a housing crisis but a social crisis. That’s according to Donegal Deputy Pearse Doherty who told the Tanaiste that the lack of housing is impacting recruitment in a number of sectors including healthcare and education. In responding to Deputy Doherty, Leo Varadkar says the Government accepts that Ireland is

The Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine has been told that the quota discussions which will take place in Brussels at the weekend are almost meaningless because there still hasn’t been a deal on with the UK government post Brexit, and that puts the Irish fleet in an impossible position. That’s according to

Concerns have been raised over the discolouration of water in Burtonport. Residents in the area have been subjected to discoloured water in the taps for a number of weeks now. The matter has been reported to Irish Water who says they are investigating it. Councillor Micheal Choilm MacGiolla Easbuig says investment in water infrastructure is

Defective block campaigners and homeowners have scrapped plans to protest in Carndonagh today after Donegal County Council closed the Public Services Centre there. Campaigners intended to occupy the centre as part of there renewed campaign to highlight the pressures they are facing, particularly in the case of those whose homes are now unsafe. Campaigner Paddy

The Chair of the Mica Action Group says there appears to be a willingness from the Housing Minister to resolve a number of issues for defective block homeowners, however no assurances have been given. Minister Darragh O’Brien and the Department of Housing met with the campaign group yesterday as well as Donegal County Council. The

The Marine Minister claims the vast majority of Irish fishing stocks were fished at unsustainable levels and over-fished. Minister Charlie McConalogue was speaking last evening during a meeting of the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Deputy Padraig MacLochlainn raised concerns about the declining seafood sector in Ireland and said statistics show the

There is an urgent need to reform the Mental Health Act, 2001 to protect the rights of people receiving mental health treatment and care in hospital. That’s according to the Mental Health Commission, which is appearing before an Oireachtas committee today. The organisation says broader regulation of mental health services is needed. John Farrelly, chief

Met Éireann is warning drivers of hazardous conditions as a status yellow ice warning remains in place. Black ice is possible on roads, as well as freezing rain, and even some snow showers later this afternoon. The current weather warning remains in place until midday. Siobhan Ryan, Meteorologist with Met Éireann says conditions are poor

Defective block campaigners are holding another protest today with plans to occupy Carndonagh Public Service Centre. The gathering which gets underway at midday follows a meeting between the Mica Action Group and the Department of Housing yesterday. No comittment was given to release the grant aid for emergency accomodation for families whose homes are uninhabitable.

A former Garda Sergeant believes Donegal should stand alone as a policing division. A recent meeting of the JPC, the members heard that the new suggested policing model has not yet been nailed down or confirmed. Former Sergeant and member of Donegal County Council’s Joint Policing Committee believes Donegal is in a unique position due