Author name: highlandnews

Independent TDs are setting out their stalls ahead of a vote of no confidence in the Government this week. Donegal Deputy Joe McHugh and South Donegal Deputy Marc McSharry are among those expected to vote in support of the government, despite both resigning the Fine Gael and Fianna Fail whips respectively. Donegal Independent Deputy Thomas […]

Sinn Fein is calling for a full inquiry into the state’s handling of covid. It’s after the Business Post received new leaked recordings showing over-spending by the HSE on PPE. It’s revealed the HSE decided to spend 770 million euro on Personal Protective Equipment, even though it was only allowed spend 205 million euro. Sinn

A fifth of children in Europe are living in income poverty. Social Justice Ireland’s new report shows that amounts to almost 15.8 million children at risk of poverty in the EU. It’s also found 6.9 million children are severely materially deprived and childhood poverty has long-lasting effects on their lives. Michelle Murphy is a Research

Concerns have been raised after 50 students were told last week that their student accommodation booking in Letterkenny would be cancelled for the upcoming year. It’s understood Walnut Grove returned deposits to students, stating that due to upcoming refurbishment works they could no longer house them. Some students affected pre-booked the accommodation as far back

Irish businesses who rely heavily on energy need to prepare for the worst in the months ahead. That’s according to Green Party MEP Ciarán Cuffe who says gas rationing could very well become a reality in the months ahead. Tomorrow the Nordstream 1 gas pipeline between Russia and Germany is set to close for ten

A new report shows a stark decline in the availability of affordable properties to rent with a Housing Assistance Payment or “HAP”. Across all areas surveyed by the Simon Communities of Ireland – only 657 properties were available to rent, at any price, over the dates surveyed. They also discovered that there were only two

Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald is insisting the current Government has run out of road. The party leader has again confirmed they’re pressing ahead with a no-confidence vote in the coalition on Tuesday – after Donegal Deputy Joe McHugh lost the whip by voting against the Government on new mica legislation. Some in Government

There are calls for investigations into planning allegations to be fast-tracked. It follows the sudden resignation of the deputy chair of An Bord Pleanala, Paul Hyde, after controversy over a number of planning decisions. Mr Hyde, originally an architect based in Cork, has denied any conflict of interest. Labour Party spokesperson on housing, Rebecca Moynihan

There are calls for Aer Lingus to appear before the Oireachtas Transport Committee, amidst a slew of cancelled flights. Fine Gael Senator Jerry Buttimer wants the airline’s Chief Executive and senior management to appear in Leinster House after thousands of passengers have been left stranded The airline cancelled more than 100 flights last week alone,

The former Strabane Academy School on the Liskey Road in Strabane has been damaged in a fire which is believed to have been started deliberately. Local councillor Michaela Boyle says the former school buildings have been the target of acts of vandalism and arson in the past, but the damage sustained in this arson attack

A number of independent TDs are planning to back a no-confidence motion in the government. It will take place in the Dail on Tuesday. Galway/Roscommon Independent TD Michael Fitzmaurice sits on the Independent Group with Donegal Deputy Thomas Pringle, who will be backing the motion. Deputy Fitzmaurice says he does not believe this government is

A number of Orange Order parades are taking place today ahead of the 12th of July. One is being held in Rossknowlagh in Donegal, with eleven more taking place across the North. The Orange Order is also preparing for bonfire night on the 11th – one is being constructed in Larne which is almost 200

The Taoiseach says he welcomes the opportunity a no confidence vote will give the government to focus on its achievements. Sinn Fein’s tabling a motion of no confidence in the government, which will be brought before the Dail on Tuesday. The Rural Independent Group, along with the Labour Party and People Before Profit, will support

  The government’s considering banning the sale of turf online. Draft proposals on restricting the selling of turf will be brought to the Taoiseach and Tánaiste by Green party leader Eamon Ryan next week. One of the planned measures would see a ban on ads being placed on websites, social media and in newspapers. Independent

A community worker in the Milford area has said he is interested in becoming involved in politics, but not with an established party. Declan Meehan, manager of the Milford & District Resource Centre is a regular commentator, and wa speaking on this morning’s nine to noon show. He recently met with Tanaiste Leo Varadkar, leading

Over 5,200 people have been waiting over five years for hospital treatment. According to freedom of information figures, they’re looking for an outpatient, inpatient or day-case appointment. Galway University Hospitals is worst affected – with nearly 800 people waiting over five years. Donegal GP Ciaran Ó Fearraigh says long delays can have serious consequences…………….

The Taoiseach says he would welcome a motion of confidence in the Government. Sinn Féin will confirm today whether it will move a Motion of No Confidence motion next week, the last week of Dáil sittings before the summer recess. It comes after the Government lost its numerical majority in the Dáil after Donegal TD

A Glenties Councillor has welcomed news that funding has been allocated to refurbish Fairhill Lodge in Dungloe to create 8 new apartments – but says that Government must do more to build proper social housing. Cllr Michael Cholm Mac Giolla Easbuig has criticised the refurbishment process, which has seen the Government and Donegal County Council

The Minister for Transport has been challenged over recent cancellations on the Donegal to Dublin bus route. Donegal Deputy Thomas Pringle told the Dail that on one day, a total of six buses were cancelled – many being shelved just minutes before the planned departure. Deputy Pringle told Minister Eamon Ryan these cancellations wouldn’t be

The Taoiseach says he hopes Ireland and the UK can reset its relationship after Boris Johnson’s resignation. The Government here isn’t sorry to see the British Prime Minister go after poor relations since the Brexit referendum. Taoiseach Micheál Martin says he thinks there is now a chance to repair that relationship:

The Housing Minister says he has no doubt Joe McHugh will continue to support the government. That’s despite the Donegal Deputy resigning the whip by voting against the government’s defective blocks bill last night. McHugh’s decision to vote against the redress scheme for impacted homeowners, means the government has lost its majority. Housing Minister Darragh

The leader of Sinn Fein has described Boris Johnson’s interactions with Ireland as ‘wholly negative’. It comes as Shailesh Vara replaces Brandon Lewis as the Northern Ireland Secretary, after Mr Lewis resigned in protest this morning. Mary Lou McDonald says the outgoing British prime minister has left a negative legacy in the North:

A survey of dental costs has uncovered significant variations between counties and even surgeries in the same area. Dublin had the highest price for a filling, costing patients 170 euro at a surgery in Blackrock, compared to 35 euro at a surgery in Donegal. The research from the Irish Independent also found some dentists were