Author name: highlandnews

Donegal Deputy Thomas Pringle says a way forward can be found to solve the Killybegs fish weighing controversy, if all sides are willing to collaborate. He was one of three Donegal deputies to attend the SFPA’s Oireachtas committee meeting earlier this week, where they claimed the EU has enforced harsher weighing inspections on pelagic fish […]

The European Commission’s proposed allowing member states to pay a one-off lump sum to farmers and agri-food businesses impacted by rising costs. Increases in prices, notably for energy, fertiliser and animal feed are disrupting the agricultural sector and rural communities, according to the commission. It says this is leading to liquidity and cash flow problems

The Foreign Affairs Minister has said the UK can’t continue to threaten the EU in Brexit talks. Simon Coveney was speaking after discussions with the British Foreign Secretary, Liz Truss. While Taoiseach Micheál Martin has been meeting all the main parties in Northern Ireland in Belfast today. Speaking to Euronews, Simon Coveney said it’s the

Taoiseach Micheál Martin is in Northern Ireland for meetings with the main political parties today. He’s urging them to work together to form an Executive Government. Micheál Martin also intends to discuss the British Government’s plans to legislate for amnesty for perpetrators of Troubles-era killings and other offenses, as well as other outstanding legacy issues.

The Blue Flag which was lost in Lisfannon some years ago has not been regained as problems with sewage in the area remain. Buncrana based Cllr Rena Donaghey is anxious that this is resolved, as well as the issues in nearby Lady’s Bay, which saw the beach on the Shore Front given a water quality

Donegal County Council has opened the public consultation on the Letterkenny 2040 Regeneration Strategy, which sets out detailed design concepts for 11 key regeneration sites and initiatives across Letterkenny town centre. This is the third and final phase of consultation, and runs until June 6th, with plans available to view at letterkenny2040.com. Letterkenny Milford MD

A Midlands North West MEP says the rise in remote working can help alleviate some of the pressures being imposed on people in Donegal and other Western counties. Maria Walshe says it will help cut back on transport costs, and other work associated expenses. However, she told Greg Hughes on today’s Nine til Noon Show

A group representing hotel owners estimates there are 9-thousand job vacancies in the sector. The Irish Hotels Federation is encouraging people to consider a career in hospitality as Failte Ireland looks to attract new staff to the tourism industry. Almost 25 percent of people employed in the tourism sector in 2019 worked in hotels and

The Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney will meet with the British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss on the margins of a Council of Europe meeting in Turin today. The two will discuss the current impasse around the Northern Ireland Protocol. Separately the Taoiseach will meet party leaders in Belfast, where discussions will focus on the

Mary Lou McDonald says she believes there could be a united Ireland within ten years. Sinn Fein became the largest party in Northern Ireland at the recent election and is poised to nominate Michelle O’Neil as first minister if and when power-sharing is restored. Mary Lou McDonald says it raises the issue of a border

A Donegal Deputy has criticised the Government over the disproportionate impact Carbon Tax increases and the rising cost of fuels has had on people in Donegal. Deputy Padraig MacLochlainn raised the issue in the Dail earlier this week, during a debate on providing a “Just Transition” to combat the climate crisis. Deputy MacLochlainn says that

Donegal Deputy Pearse Doherty and Leo Varadkar clashed in the Dail again today, over the cost of living crisis. Deputy Doherty called on the Government to take further action to reduce the cost of fuels and childcare costs, while also demanding an increase to social welfare rates. In response to Deputy Doherty’s opening statement in

The Green Party leader has denied any pressure was put on him to sanction rebel TDs. Eamon Ryan says he spoke with his coalition colleagues before Neasa Hourigan and Patrick Costello voted against the government last night. Both have been suspended from the Green Parliamentary Party for six months as a result. Minister Ryan said

People who intend to be cremated may soon have an opportunity to have their ashes interred in the grounds of Ards Friary. The community at Ards is in discussion with Eternum Columbarium, a Belfast based company which specialises in building columbaria, vaults in which urns can be interred in keeping with ancient Christian traditions. The

An Inishowen councillor is calling for a full briefing on plans for the implementation of the Tús Nua Regeneration Programme announced last year for Carndonagh. Cllr Albert Doherty says the plan will see millions invested in the town and its environs, but it was not referenced at a special meeting last Friday to agree a

One of Donegal’s representatives on the HSE’s Western Regional Forum is calling for immediate clarity on the future of the angiogram service in Donegal, and recognition that the Cath Lab at Letterkenny University Hospital should be fully commissioned. The Friends of the Hospital have raised €750,000 as a local contribution to provide the service, with

A Fine Gael TD says a border poll could be called at any time in the next decade, and is urging government to begin preparations. Neale Richmond says now’s the time to set up an Oireachtas Committee to work through the detail of what a United Ireland would look like. He says the fallout of

A Foyle MLA has called for action to be taken regarding flooding in the Foyle Road area of Derry City. Padraig Delargy says that due to recent heavy rain, houses in the Foyle Road area were flooded – an occurrence he says is regular for those living there. He says that it has now become

Tensions flared at an Oireachtas committee meeting last night, during which representatives of the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority were questioned regarding the Killybegs fish weighing controversy. The representatives of the SFPA present at the meeting were challenged to explain the reasons why a proportion of pelagic fish landed in Killybegs have had to be weighed

Ulster Bank say that customers will be offered a ‘suite of measures’ if their account is closed while they have remaining overdrafts. The bank is withdrawing from Ireland and is issuing a 6 month notice to customers before closing their account, with a 30 day extension period. An Oireachtas Committee on Finance heard today 70,000

Employees could save on average 93 hours per year if they gave up commuting and worked from home full time. A new government study also found if employees were to work the hours at home that they once spent on getting to and from work, they could earn an extra 1,103 euro annually. It also

The Dail has been told there are no plans to establish a Passport Office in the North West, but the situation will be kept under review. Minister Ossian Smith was speaking after Donegal Deputy Joe McHugh called for the establishment of an office in the region, preferably Letterkenny, given its North West City Region status

Saolta CEO Tony Canavan says the one day action being taken by medical scientists is having an impact on Letterkenny University Hospital. On today’s Nine til Noon Show, Mr Canavan said several procedures have already been cancelled, and there will be a knock on effect on the Emergency Department………    

Britain’s foreign secretary says ‘sensible pragmatic’ changes are needed to the Northern Ireland protocol. Liz Truss confirmed yesterday that the British government would legislate to change the protocol unilaterally in order to encourage the DUP to re-enter power sharing in the north. She says the UK’s proposed changes will also work to the advantage of

The son of murdered lawyer Pat Finucane is calling on the British government to abandon its amnesty plans. The UK yesterday announced legislation to deal with over 1,000 unsolved killings in the North. It proposes an amnesty from prosecution for those who co-operate with a panel that investigates the deaths. John Finucane, now a Sinn

The HSE says industrial action will have a ‘very disabling impact’ on Letterkenny University Hospital and other hospitals throughout the country today. Over 2,100 medical scientists are stopping routine lab services for 12 hours – ending at 8 o’clock tonight. Their pay dispute has led to inpatient and day-case procedures being cancelled. Terry Casey is

Minister Charlie McConalogue says that work is ongoing to secure the angiogram service at Letterkenny University Hospital. In a statement, Minister McConalogue says the Department of health, Saolta and the HSE are working to assess appropriate means for angiogram services to continue at LUH, after the announcement that the mobile cardiology unit currently there will

Postmasters are warning 12 million euro in annual funding is needed to prevent “large scale” closures across the post office network. The Irish Postmasters Union will tell today’s Oireachtas Transport and Communications Committee meeting that services are at a “critical juncture” and could have to shut without government support. Almost 95 per cent of post

A Donegal Deputy has slammed the Government after it passed legislation yesterday allowing for the new National Maternity Hospital to be built. Deputy Thomas Pringle raised the issue directly to the Taoiseach in the Dail during Leaders’ Questions, focusing on the term “clinically appropriate” that has caused controversy for many, raising concerns if the new

An Inishowen Councillor has welcomed the provision of a new wheelchair that will be made available at Culdaff Beach – but says currently the beach is impassable for users with disabilities. Cllr Johnny McGuinness says that while it’s great to have a wheelchair provided in the area of the beach free of charge for anyone