Author name: highlandnews

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

Donegal TD Joe McHugh has resigned the Fine Gael party whip, eliminating the Government’s Dáil majority in the process. Tánaiste Leo Varadkar told a meeting of party TDs last night he believes Deputy McHugh will continue to support the coalition from the opposition benches. It means the Government has just 79 votes to 80 on

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

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

People in the Finn Valley and surrounding areas are being invited to attend Covid-19 pop-up vaccination clinics will be held at St Mary’s Parish Centre in Stranorlar on Friday and Saturday. First and second boosters are being offered to those who are eligible, with walk ins are welcome. It’s also planned to offer further pop

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

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

The UK bill on the Northern Ireland Protocol will be debated in the European Parliament today. MEPs will discuss the proposed bill, which passed the second reading stage in the British House of Commons last month. If passed, it would allow the UK government to unilaterally ignore EU-UK arrangements for Northern Ireland after Brexit. And

There’s a warning more people will live in poverty when they retire, as home ownership rates among young working adults have collapsed. New ESRI research shows 65 per cent of people aged 35-44 are likely to become homeowners by retirement, compared to the current 90 per cent of those over 65. The number of 25-34

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

A Donegal Deputy has again called on Government to reconsider the amount of time set to be given to discuss amendments to the new defective blocks bill. This evening, the Dail is scheduled to debate the bill, for two hours, and consider as many of the 80 tabled amendments as possible. Once those two hours

The leader of Sinn Fein says Government plans to only table two hours of discussion on 80 proposed amendments to the new mica bill are “scandalous”. Mary Lou McDonald was speaking in the Dail during this afternoon’s Order of Business where she called for more time to discuss the defective blocks legislation. She says that

64 sheep have been stolen from the Fahan area of Inishowen, with gardai in Buncrana investigating the incident. On the Community Garda Slot on today’s Nine til Noon Show, Sergeant Eunan Walshe issued this appeal for information…………..

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

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……..