Author name: highlandnews

Supreme Court rules against Ireland joining EU-Canada trade deal

The Supreme Court says an EU trade agreement with Canada can’t pass the Oireachtas without a change to our laws. The court ruled today that said the Irish constitution currently would not allow for Ireland to accept the trade deal. The deal is designed to increase trade between the two blocs – but concerns have

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ATU to receive largest share of new funding package

Over 23 million euro in funding has been announced for Technological Universities, with the highest allocation of €5.27m going to the Atlantic Technological University campuses in Donegal, Sligo, Galway and Mayo. The Department of Higher Education is allocating the funding to be used in areas such as digital infrastructure and in improving governance and systems

ATU to receive largest share of new funding package Read More »

Sunak welcomes ‘engaging’ meeting with Taoiseach

The Taoiseach says he won’t put any timeframe on reaching a deal around the Northern Ireland Protocol. Micheál Martin met British PM Rishi Sunak last night to discuss the Protocol and restoring devolved Government in Northern Ireland. Today he’ll meet other leaders from across the UK including British Minister Michael Gove and Scottish First Minister

Sunak welcomes ‘engaging’ meeting with Taoiseach Read More »

Health Minister launches Enhanced Community Care Programme in Donegal

Health Minister Stephen Donnelly has officially launched the HSE’s Enhanced Community Care programme in Donegal, as part of the nationwide rollout of the €240m programme. ECC is a crucial element of the Sláintecare model, and is designed to ensure that all HSE primary and community care services work in an integrated way to meet population

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Difficult winter ahead for hospitals, but minister says long term, solutions are planned

  The Health Minister is in Donegal today for a series of engagements. Minister Stephen Donnelly will officially open the new Primary Care Centres in Buncrana and Newtowncunningham this morning, and also the Errigal CDM Hub in Letterkenny. Minister Donnelly is also expected to visit Letterkenny University Hospital, which launched its winter plan last week,

Difficult winter ahead for hospitals, but minister says long term, solutions are planned Read More »

Anger in Inishowen as water tanker is located in Letterkenny

An Inishowen Councillor has stressed that a life in Inishowen is as important as a life in Letterkenny. It’s after confirmation that a much sought after water tanker for the peninsula has been located in Letterkenny. A motion by Councillor Martin McDermott calling for a tanker to be placed in Inishowen had previously been passed

Anger in Inishowen as water tanker is located in Letterkenny Read More »

Flood prevention works carried out at Dry Arch roundabout

Extensive works have been carried out to eradicate flooding issues at the Dry Arch roundabout in Letterkenny. During recent spells of heavy rain, water has gathered around the roundabout, making it difficult for motorists to navigate. The Council has confirmed that there was a high build up of debris in parts of the drainage system

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DCC Tourism Unit head urges more Donegal businesses to get involved in Antrim collaboration

Donegal County Council is encouraging more businesses to become involved in an exchange with businesses on the Causeway Coast in Antrim. An initial meeting in Inishowen recently saw 19 businesses from the Causeway Coastal Route Cluster and seven from Donegal participate. Barney McLaughlin, the head of Donegal County Council’s Tourism Unit Says there’s been a

DCC Tourism Unit head urges more Donegal businesses to get involved in Antrim collaboration Read More »

Early decision vital on modular homes for Mica homeowners – McBride

Refusal is not an option for government as calls grow for the provision of modular homes to Mica affected homeowners living in structurally unsafe properties. That’s according to Councillor Michael McBride who asked Donegal County Council to press the issue with Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien. It’s unclear if an announcement on the delivery of such

Early decision vital on modular homes for Mica homeowners – McBride Read More »

Change in focus of counselling services in the wake of the Creeslough tragedy

  The HSE has confirmed that its approach to counselling in the aftermath of the Creeslough tragedy has changed, with the focus now on the provision of more targeted therapeutic services, by facilitating referrals to clinical services for counselling, trauma therapy where necessary, and mental health services. Immediate psychological first aid is still available via

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Highland Radio remains most listened to radio station in Donegal

New listenership figures have cemented Highland Radio’s position as the most listened to radio station in Donegal. Today’s JNLR/IPSOS figures show that in the year up to the end of September, 77% of people in the county tuned into Highland Radio each week, with 56% tuning in every day. Highland’s market share sits at 66.6%,

Highland Radio remains most listened to radio station in Donegal Read More »

Tributes paid to agencies involved in Creeslough response

Tributes have been paid this morning at Donegal County Council’s Economic, Enterprise and Emergency SPC to all agencies involved in the rescue and recovery operation following an explosion in Creeslough last month. The Council’s Director of Emergency Services, Garry Martin has praised all who responded to the unprecedented event including the local community who he

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€6.4m for Ramelton under rural regeneration development fund

A significant tranche of funding has been announced today for Reimagining Ramelton. €6.4m is being made available towards the €8m project under a major rural regeneration development fund. It will see the restoration of the House of the Brae and creating public spaces and amenities at Gambles Square and Market Square. Minister Charlie McConalogue says

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‘Bonagee Lane an accident waiting to happen’ – Cllr Coyle

A Letterkenny Councillor has warned that the Bonagee Lane is an accident waiting to happen. Concerns have been raised over the volume of vehicles using the route and the speed at which they are travelling. A motion was brought before a meeting of the Letterkenny Milford Municipal District this week by Councillor Gerry McMonagle calling

‘Bonagee Lane an accident waiting to happen’ – Cllr Coyle Read More »

Minister McConalogue says voting pact isn’t Fianna Fail’s focus

The Tánaiste is raising the prospect of a voting pact between Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil in the next general election. Leo Varadkar told the Irish Independent both parties could have won more seats in the last election if their supporters had transferred votes between them. He says if the coalition doesn’t collapse early, Fine

Minister McConalogue says voting pact isn’t Fianna Fail’s focus Read More »

O’Brien to meet with Donegal County Council CEO tomorrow

The Housing Minister is meeting with the Chief Executive of Donegal County Council John McLaughlin tomorrow to discuss the progression of the Defective Blocks Redress Scheme. Last evening, Donegal County Council confirmed it is once again progressing the scheme after receiving clarification on the inclusion of deleterious materials other than Mica, with all applicants to

O’Brien to meet with Donegal County Council CEO tomorrow Read More »

Tanaiste extends Humanitarian Support Scheme to include Creeslough

The Tánaiste and Enterprise Minister has extended the Emergency Humanitarian Support Scheme for businesses affected by the tragic event in Creeslough on October 7th. The Irish Red Cross Society will administer and make payments under the Scheme on behalf of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, but the department is stressing this will be

Tanaiste extends Humanitarian Support Scheme to include Creeslough Read More »

Dail told eight towns in Donegal need urgent investment in sewerage infrastructure

A Donegal Deputy says raw sewage is being discharged daily into eight towns and villages in Donegal as water treatment plants in the areas are not up to EU standard. The towns impacted are Burtonport, Coolatee, Falcarragh, Kerrykeel, Moville, Rathmullan, Ramelton and Kilcar. Deputy Pearse Doherty told the Dail raw sewage can carry severe risks

Dail told eight towns in Donegal need urgent investment in sewerage infrastructure Read More »

Defective Concrete Blocks Redress process set to move again

Donegal County Council’s Defective Concrete Blocks Committee has confirmed agreement has been reached with the Department of Housing about the inclusion of other deleterious materials in houses with Mica, and the scheme can now move again, particularly in terms of Stage 1 applications. The council will meet with the Engineer’s Ireland panel of chartered engineers

Defective Concrete Blocks Redress process set to move again Read More »

Searches carried out in Strabane during investigation into activities of the new IRA

  Police investigating activities of the new IRA carried out searches in Strabane today. Detectives from the Terrorism Investigation Unit, assisted by uniform colleagues, conducted searches in the Knockroe Road area of Strabane in connection with an ongoing investigation into the activities of the new IRA. A police spokeperson said “whilst we understand the impact

Searches carried out in Strabane during investigation into activities of the new IRA Read More »

Felicity Hayes-McCoy book signing events this weekend!

Felicity Hayes-McCoy will be signing copies of The Keepsake Quilters in The Bookmark store in Letterkenny Shopping Centre, 2.30-3.00pm, Friday November 11th, and will be at Inishowen’s Glendowen Craft Studio on Saturday November 12th, 2.30pm, signing and discussing the book as part of their Open Day – a free event showcasing local crafting traditions and

Felicity Hayes-McCoy book signing events this weekend! Read More »

Dail adjourned after MacSharry accuses Leas Cheann Comhairle of discrimination

The Dail was adjourned for a time this afternoon after Deputy Marc MacSharry clashed with Leas Cheann Comhairle Catherine Connelly. Deputy MacSharry had asked a question about homelessness in Donegal, Sligo and Leitrim towards the end of the Order of Business, but because time was running out, Deputy Connelly asked the the question and answer

Dail adjourned after MacSharry accuses Leas Cheann Comhairle of discrimination Read More »

Pringle urges O’Brien to publish review of alleged planning irregularities in Donegal

The Housing Minister has again been challenged to publish the Mulcahy Report into alleged planning irregularities on Donegal County Council, but says there are complexities which must be considered. In 2015, Senior Counsel Rory Mulcahy was asked to review allegations made by former planner Gerard Convie. It followed Mr Convie’s successful High Court challenge to

Pringle urges O’Brien to publish review of alleged planning irregularities in Donegal Read More »

Message needs to go out that Letterkenny is open for Christmas shopping – Cllr McBride

The message needs to go out that Letterkenny is open for business for Christmas shopping. That’s according to Councillor Michael McBride who has called for an urgent review of traffic flow in the town ahead of the festive season. Donegal County Council has confirmed that a number of issues have been identified and it is

Message needs to go out that Letterkenny is open for Christmas shopping – Cllr McBride Read More »