Author name: highlandnews

  The Sinn Fein leader says that UK Government plans to implement an amnesty for Troubles-related killings, in return for co-operation in a Police panel investigation, are “akin to a rogue state”. The British Government is set to introduce the legislation this evening, and are also planning to ban any and all civil action from […]

The British Foreign Secretary has confirmed the Government plans to legislate to unilaterally change the Northern Ireland protocol. Liz Truss says that amendments must be made to the trade deal to get a Government up and running in Northern Ireland. She’s also said that the British Government’s preferred outcome is a negotiated agreement with the

The Taoiseach says the EU and British government need to engage in talks over the Northern Ireland protocol. It comes as the British Foreign minister Liz Truss will outline in the House of Commons how the UK plans to change the post-Brexit trade deal in a bid to restore power sharing at Stormont. Michael Martin

Cabinet has signed off on plans for the new National Maternity Hospital. Ministers approved the governance deal at their meeting this morning which will see the hospital relocated from Holles St to the campus of St Vincent’s University Hospital. The government faced concerns about the phrase ‘clinically appropriate’ as set out in the legal documents.

A Lifford Stranorlar area councillor says the continued delays with the Twin Towns by-pass are frustrating, but Donegal County Council will continue to push it, and the other two Ten-T road projects in Donegal – the Letterkenny Link Road and the Manorcunningham to Lifford Road. It’s after a recent meeting of the council’s Roads Strategic

Gardai in Letterkenny are investigating the theft of silver Silver Mercedes car from a house on the High Road between 8.30pm and 9.30pm last night. The car was subsequently found on fire on the Ballyraine Road shortly after 3 o’clock this morning. On the Community Garda Slot on today’s Nine til Noon Show, Sergeant Eunan

The British Government’s expected to unveil plans to bin parts of the Northern Ireland protocol today; a move which could trigger a trade war with the EU. The DUP’s refusing to take part in power-sharing until its issues with the post-Brexit trading arrangement are scrapped. It’s understood UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss will make an

A Donegal Deputy has warned that the Government cannot continue to churn out legislation with no intention to uphold and implement it Deputy Thomas Pringle was speaking in the Dail in recent days during statements on the Defamation Act during which he said flaws in the Defamation Act should be viewed as a threat to

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is in Belfast this afternoon for talks on the restoration of power-sharing, amid souring tensions with the EU and suggestions that Westminster will act unilaterally to change the post Brexit protocol. Stormont Sinn Fein leader Michelle O’Neill, who is effectively first minister in-waiting, met the Taoiseach in Dublin this morning

Leaving Cert students are being urged not to panic about when they will receive their results. Concerns have been raised about possible delays due to a second sitting of the exams which will take place this year. This will be reserved for students who have had a bereavement, or are advised to stay at home

The Chair of Donegal County Council’s Mica Redress Committee says he believes the government will have no choice but to subject any future bill on Mica redress to pre-legislative scrutiny. Cllr Martin McDermott was speaking on today’s Nine til Noon Show as the Mica Action Group restated its belief that it is necessary. Last week,

Ukranian families are being given help in securing school places for their children. The Department of Education says REALT is supporting schools to meet their needs as they emerge. It’s confirmed 5,843 Ukrainian pupils are currently enrolled in education across the country.Of those, 259 are in Donegal, 176 of them in Primary Schools and 83

Boris Johnson’s travelling to Belfast today to try to persuade the DUP to enter power sharing government again. The British Prime Minister will be holding talks with party leaders, as concerns grow over the political deadlock at Stormont. In advance of his visit he’s written in the Belfast Telegraph suggesting that the EU and UK

National Volunteering week gets underway today and continues until next Saturday. A specific focus each day will highlight areas such as health, wellbeing and the environment. The week will see events take place across the country and will include special events honouring those who volunteered in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. John Curran is Manager

A Letterkenny councillor says there needs to be a mechanism whereby some arrangement has to be reached which will allow Donegal County Council implement road safety measures in estates which are not yet in council control. At a recent Letterkenny Milford Municipal District meeting, Cllr Gerry McMonagle proposed that ramps be installed on the road

AA Ireland says it’s hard to predict when fuel will stabilise in price or come down. It says diesel in particular is likely to stay quite high into the short to medium term due to an EU ban on diesel from Russia. The national cost of diesel is around 1 euro 95 and in Dublin’s

A junior minister says it’s a ‘red herring’ to suggest the new National Maternity Hospital will have religious influence. Niall Collins expects the cabinet to sign off on the 800 million euro project on Tuesday, despite concerns from the public. Abortion rights groups have expressed concern that due to St Vincent’s Healthcare Group still owning

A lunar eclipse during which the moon will turn a deep blood red colour, will be visible in the early hours of tomorrow morning. Astronomy Ireland is inviting everyone to go outdoors and take a look at the skies from 3 am early on Monday morning to watch the phenomenon. David Moore of Astronomy Ireland

The Foreign Affairs Minister says he’s ‘deeply concerned’ about Ireland’s future partnership with the UK. It’s due to the row over the Northern Ireland Protocol, which has led to the collapse of power-sharing at Stormont yet again. The British government is threatening to remove parts of the protocol, to try to resolve Unionist concerns –

Diesel prices are likely to hit 2 euro per litre in the coming days, according to an Irish Independent survey. The surge in cost is expected to negate the government’s cut of 20 cent on petrol and 15 cent per litre of diesel. Average price of one litre in Ireland currently stands at 1 euro

Sinn Fein’s health spokesperson says the new National Maternity Hospital should be built on public land, in full public ownership. David Cullinane says that would be the best outcome not just for staff and patients but also for the taxpayer who’ll pay for the new hospital. It comes ahead of St. Vincent’s Healthcare Group appearing

The British government has been accused of engaging in “nothing more than a stunt” over the Northern Ireland Protocol. The comments by the Fine Gael spokesperson on European Affairs come as the British prime minister, Boris Johnson, will visit Northern Ireland on Monday to try to resolve the political crisis. The Stormont Assembly failed to

The Cathaoirleach of the Letterkenny Milford Municipal District says the government would save money by making more funds available for small repair work, especially in relation to footpaths. Officials say the public light and footpath programme, which is co funded by Irish Public Bodies, is available for improvement works and upgrades to the existing footpath

“Supply is the answer” to Ireland’s housing crisis, according to the Taoiseach. It follows a recent report which showed rent prices continue to rise as well as supply becoming lowered. Rents in Donegal increased 22.7% to €857 according to the laste Daft.ie report. Micheal Martin’s confirmed over 24,600 homes are to be completed this year,

A high visibility road crossing pilot scheme is being rolled out in the Twin Towns this week. Ballybofey and Stranorlar were selected for the pilot scheme as both towns have been identified as high collision locations and having a history of pedestrian collisions. Two High Visibility Pedestrian Crossings have been established in Ballybofey and two