Author name: highlandnews

A Donegal GP has said he doesn’t want to scare people into receiving Covid 19 booster vaccines, but the reality is without them, people may die. Dr Dennis McCauley, who chairs the IMO’s GP committee says there has been some Covid fatigue, and in some instances, people have been explaining symptoms away as summer colds, […]

In the British Parliament, controversial Troubles legacy legislation has been voted through another stage. MPs voted 282 votes to 217 – that’s a majority of 65 – to give it a third reading. It would stop inquests into Troubles killings that haven’t got to an advanced stage – and prevent new ones from happening. DUP

The Irish Fiscal Advisory Council says the government’s decision to increase spending by 6.5 per cent in the budget was needed, but we’re still a long way from chasing inflation. A 6.7 billion euro package for Budget 2023 was announced in the Summer Economic Statement yesterday. Chairperson Sebastian Barnes says previously a 5 per cent

Over 400 Personal Assistants working for the Irish Wheelchair Association are on strike today, in a dispute over pay. No Donegal carers are participating in today’s action, with Carrick on Shannon the closest affected area. Today’s industrial action is part of wider campaign across the care and community sector, which is set to see further

Ireland is at risk of not meeting a 51 per cent cut in carbon emissions by 2030. The government has been warned in a new report that the target will not be achieved unless there is a complete transformation of the planning system. The report published by Wind Energy Ireland points out that some progress

A Donegal Councillor says a recent opportunity to visit the European Parliament and raise important issues with MEPs was worthwhile. Cllr Barry Sweeny was one of 21 Irish councillors invited to Brussels by Fine Gael Midlands North-West MEP Maria Walsh, where they participated in committee meetings and were able to directly raise issues with MEPs,

Core Government spending will increase by 6.5 per cent this year in what’s been described as a bumper cost of living budget. Ministers have confirmed September 27th will be the day they announce Budget 2023. In total 6.7 billion euro extra will be spent next year – with 2.7 billion available for new measures. A

Irish Water say traffic management measures will be in place in Letterkenny tonight and tomorrow night, as essential works are carried out. In a statement, Irish Water and Donegal County Council say they will have crews on site from 7pm this evening, Monday 4th July, to 7am tomorrow morning 5th July, at the Station Roundabout

    Siptu members at a Community Employment Scheme in South Donegal are to take part in a 24 hour work stoppage on Wednesday. The workers at the South Donegal Deanery will join colleagues in Galway and Waterford in the stoppage as part of a national dispute over the fact that workers on such schemes

A proper footpath on one of Letterkenny’s busiest roads may be a step closer. Donegal County Council has been allocated €250,000 undeer the Active Travel programme for preparatory studies on the footpath between Lower Main Street and Ballymacool, via Aura Leisure Centre. Cllr Gerry McMonagle is hopeful that more money will be forthcoming……..

  A Glenties Councillor has called on Donegal County Council to do more to aid traffic flow through Burtonport. Currently long-awaited works are underway to the pier at the town, but Cllr Michael Cholm Mac Giolla Easbuig says this has caused chaos for tourists as well as locals. Many cars are parked illegally along the

A local Councillor has raised the issue of inadequate parking facilities at Letterkenny Town Park. Cllr Jimmy Kavanagh says that as the busy Summer months get underway, many people are having to turn away from the park due to a lack of parking spaces – despite there being an overflow car park in use for

  One third of all jobs providing services for children with disabilities are vacant. Protests have taken place across the country during the last few months as families sit on waiting lists. 2,000 posts should be filled for a fully staffed workforce – the Government says the area’s being heavily invested in. Minister of State

The HSE Chief Clinical Officer says he’s hopeful we are more than halfway through the current surge in Covid-19. There are 826 people in hospital with the illness, 33 of whom were being treated in ICU. Dr Colm Henry says the experience in Portugal with the new sub-variants has been one of a decline in

There have been calls from opposition for the Government to take measures to cut rents, and freeze them for a period of time. It’s one of the targeted emergency measures the Sinn Fein is recommending to help tackle the rising cost of living. The Government is expected to have up to 2 billion euro extra

A County Mayo deputy says we need to protect the rights of people who cut and use turf across the country. Fine Gael’s Michael Ring says the cost of fuel means many are relying on turf now, more than ever. He’s dismissed any suggestion that decisions on it being banned will be rushed through during

The Tanaiste says now is not an appropriate time for a border poll. Leo Varadkar says Government is focused on resolving the issues around the Northern Ireland Protocol, which have reached a stalemate. The Good Friday Agreement states that the Secretary of State for the North should call a referendum when it appears a majority

The Government’s being accused of sitting by and doing nothing about rising energy costs. The latest price hike from Electric Ireland will see electricity bills rise by 10.9 per cent and gas prices go up by 29.2 per cent. The increases will take effect from the 1st of August for over 1.2 million households. Consumers

A Donegal Deputy has asked for better protections and supports for all refugees fleeing war. Thomas Pringle was speaking during a Dail debate on the extension of special measures for Ukrainian refugees yesterday. According to Deputy Pringle – citizenship shouldn’t matter when you’re fleeing war:

There could be a ‘substantial reduction’ in petrol and diesel prices in the Budget. The government cut excise duty on both fuels in March – but prices have since climbed well above 2 euro a litre again. The date for the Budget will be finalised next week, amid calls for urgent action on the cost

The latest Covid wave is having a ‘significant impact’ on patients in emergency departments, according to the head of the Saolta Hospital Group. There are 812 patients in hospital with the virus – more than twice as many as three weeks ago. Of those, 35 Covid patients are at Letterkenny University Hospital, as it continues

The PRO of the Mica Action Group has called on Government to give more time to table amendments to the new defective blocks bill. Currently an Oireachtas committee discussing the new bill will be restricted to two hours – despite there being 80 total amendments to be discussed, as well as the contents of the

A local councillor says that a beach in Dunfanaghy has been vandalised for the second night in a row. Cllr Michael McClafferty says the beach at Killahoey has had signs pulled down and chairs smashed, with broken glass also being left on the beach.   Cllr McClafferty has appealed to those responsible to be respectful

The Public Expenditure Minister says a number of one-off measures will be put to government, to help tackle the cost-of-living crisis. It comes as the Irish Independent suggests a second 200-euro energy credit will be offered this autumn, as electricity bills grow further. Minister Michael McGrath says his focus will also be helping on those