Author name: highlandnews

How to watch last night’s Defective Blocks Bill debate

The whole of last night’s debate can be watched on the Oireachtas website. Click on this link –  https://www.oireachtas.ie/hourly/ Scroll down to Wednesday Jul 6th 2022, and click it. When that opens, scroll down until you see 16.24 on the ‘Last modified’ file. Click the ‘Play Video’ link which is highlighted, and the debate begins […]

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Opposition rejects minister’s claim that new bill offers 100% redress

The new Defective Blocks Bill passed through the Dail last night as dozens of amendments were voted down by the government. Ceann Comhairle Sean O’Fearaghail confirmed the decision shortly before 8 o’clock last night……….. This means that at present, foundations will not be included in the scheme, IS465 will remain as the standard, and there

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Latest: Amendments to Mica bill voted down in Dail by Government

The Government has faced intense scrutiny from opposition as amendments to the new defective blocks bill have been debated in the Dail this evening. Amongst the amendments, issues with foundations not being included in the scheme and relying on building standard IS465 were raised – but those amendments were voted down by Government. This means

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BREAKING: Government to lose Dail majority as McHugh votes against Mica bill

The Government is about to lose its Dáil majority , after Donegal Deputy Joe McHugh voted against the new Mica redress legislation in the Dail this evening. It’s believed that McHugh will lose the party whip and be suspended for voting against Government – bringing it to a total of 79 TDs, one short of

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Strabane Police appeal after pedestrians hit in collision yesterday

Police in Strabane are looking for information after a collision in the town yesterday, where two pedestrians were struck by a car. They say the incident occurred in the Fountain Street area of Strabane yesterday afternoon, around a half past four. It’s believed a white Skoda Octavia crashed into a parked car, which subsequently hit

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Review finds no impropriety in purchase of five houses by DCC

Highland Radio News understands that an external review into the purchase of five houses in Buncrana by Donegal County Council has found the transaction was conducted properly, and there was no impropriety in the actions of council officials. The five houses at the An Crannla estate were later found to be affected by mica. The

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‘One Family’ CEO says Back to School measures don’t go far enough

Almost 1 in 3 parents are getting into debt because of back to school costs. The latest survey from the Irish League of Credit Unions shows parents are spending 1,518 euro on secondary school children, and 1,195 euro for those at primary school. It comes as the back-to-school allowance is set to increase by 100

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Community-focused approach needed for wind farms – Cllr Gallagher

A Donegal Councillor says a community-focused approach is needed when creating new regulations for wind farms in the county. Sinn Fein’s Marie Therese Gallagher says that community views must take precedence when it comes to the construction of new wind energy developments – but that there must be a focus on the environment also. The

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Defective block affected homeowners to form a political party

Mica campaigners have today declared their intention to register as a political party. They are signing the preliminary papers today, and have 28 days to finalise details, including the name of the party. In tandem with that, they are challenging all members of Donegal County Council to publicly declare their support for the campaign, and

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Fiscal Advisory Council chair backs ‘exceptional’ spending increases

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

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Siptu steps up pay campaign for care and community workers

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

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Dail to discuss time allocated to Mica Bill debate

Part of the discussion on the Order of Business  in the Dail this afternoon will focus on how much time should be given to debating the Remediation of Dwellings Affected by Defective Conll debatecrete Blocks Bill 2022 which was published last week. By Thursday’s deadline, 80 amendments had been proposed following lengthy discussions involving opposition

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Donegal Cllr raises fishing and energy topics in European Parliament visit

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,

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Traffic management in place for essential Letterkenny water works

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

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DCC receives funding for Ballymacool footpath in Letterkenny

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……..

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