Author name: highlandnews

The latest British Government Protocol campaign has been described as nothing short of propaganda. A Fine Gael TD said the information campaign launched by the Government’s Northern Ireland Office is extremely concerning. The campaign claims to explain how the British Government is fixing the post-Brexit Protocol. The party’s spokesperson on European Affairs, Neale Richmond said […]

There are fears the rise in the cost of living is now a longer term problem than first forecast. The inflation figures have now extended beyond rising energy costs, with food inflation now significant. Economist Jim Power doesn’t believe the pressure on prices will ease quickly:

A call has been made for remedial works to be carried out at a Letterkenny housing estate amid fears that vacant houses may attract anti-social behaviour. Works had previously been carried out at Fairgreen Hill to improve the condition of the green area, walls in the estate and also the general appearance of vacant homes.

A Donegal County Councillor believes a new playground in Portsalon would be a great asset to the area. Councillor John O’Donnell is calling for such a facility to be installed at the newly upgraded car park at the beach in Portsalon. The motion has previously been brought before Council and it was confirmed that there

Legislation giving effect to the Mica redress scheme has passed its final stage in the Seanad. It now goes to the President for signing. Senators backed the scheme by 30 votes to 12. Its passage through the Dail saw Donegal Deputy Joe McHugh vote against the government and lose the party whip. That in turn

The Taoiseach has been criticised for not condemning the burning of effigies on 11th night bonfires in Northern Ireland. Effigies of Michelle O’Neill, Naomi Long appeared on bonfires earlier this week along with the Irish flag. In the Dail, Donegal Deputy Pearse Doherty hit out at Micheal Martin’s silence. The events however, have been condemned

Donegal could be one of the locations for an advanced new Radar Defence System that is to be commissioned by government. It’s part of a new six year action plan for the Defence Forces announced by government this week. Foreign Affairs and Defence Minister Simon Coveney told Highland Radio today that there is no question

A mica campaigner says it is disheartening that the government is pushing the ‘unfit for purpose’ mica bill through the Seanad today but the campaign for 100 percent redress will continue after the summer. The government’s bill goes to final stage in the Seanad today and is expected to be passed ahead of the summer

Weather forecasters say the latest charts this morning still show temperatures potentially exceeding 30 degrees from Sunday. Met Eireann’s issued a high temperature advisory, and says it could trigger a high temperature warning over the weekend and into the early days of next week. Nighttime is expected to be uncomfortably warm. Cathal Nolan from Ireland’s

Companies in Donegal are being encouraged to avail of a new €85 million scheme aimed at increasing the use digital technology to improve online business. As part of the national Grow Digital campaign, the €85 million Digital Transition Fund is now in place to help companies use digital technologies like AI, cloud computing and big

The State has run out of beds to house incoming refugees. The accommodation centre in Citywest in Dublin has reached full capacity, with 1,000 people currently living there. It means some new arrivals could be stranded at Dublin airport in the coming days, with no alternative contingency plan in place. Government ministers will meet today

MPs have voted against a range of ways to water down laws that’ll tear up parts of the Northern Ireland protocol. Labour wanted to prevent deviating from the agreement without UK AND EU backing, while the SDLP wanted to protect a part of the protocol that’s linked to democratic consent. DUP MP Ian Paisley now

The Taoiseach says new regulations on the sale of turf will have no effect on those with cutting rights. Speaking at a meeting of his party last night, Micheal Martin said the traditional trading of turf in rural areas will be maintained. Rural Fianna Fail and Fine Gael TD’s have backed the changes, after a

The mica defective building blocks legislation goes to final stage in the Seanad later. It comes as government looks to get it passed ahead of the summer recess. However affected homeowners say the bill isn’t fit for purpose, and that changes they’re proposing aren’t being given the time needed to be considered. Michael Doherty from

No overtaking signs have been requested on busy roads on the outskirts of Letterkenny due to a number of near misses. Cllr Donal Coyle requested that appropriate signs be erected at the Listillion and Cullion Road junctions on the N13 for traffic approaching Letterkenny. He says something needs to be done before there is a

The Government has been warned that the rent reduction bill would have a huge impact on people in Donegal. In support of a bill calling for a rent reduction and a National Rent Authority, Donegal Deputy Thomas Pringle told the Dail that people are struggling to get by and keep up with continuous spiralling costs.

A special tribute has been paid in the Seanad to Councillor Ian McGarvey who celebrates his 92nd birthday today. Councillor McGarvey is Ireland’s oldest serving councillor having been elected to Donegal County Council in 2004. Senator Robbie Gallagher, a native of the county described Councillor McGarvey as a truly remarkable man. He says he is

A Donegal Deputy has called for better transparency and a human rights-based approach in dealing with people seeking asylum. Deputy Thomas Pringle was speaking in the Dail and says while he agrees with the principles of the amendment to the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund he is concerned that it will only further reinforce European

Debate of the Defective Concrete Blocks Bill is continuing in the Seanad this afternoon. The legislations is expected to pass through the house after which it will then go to the President to be signed into law. Donegal Senator Niall Blaney believes a constructive debate today is vital. He also called for the regulation of

The next week could see the peak of our summer weather. There’s a few scorchers on the way, with highest temperatures forecast around thirty degrees. The heat wave will continue until Wednesday of next week, when temperatures will dip and showers will become more frequent. Met Eireann’s Paul Downes is predicting we’ll see some of

  A Donegal Minister who has come under fire for his support for the government’s defective block scheme says he does not fear for his political future, despite the prospect of mica campaigners forming a political party. TD Charlie McConalogue has supported the government’s handling of the defective block scheme and he is happy that

Fresh fears have arisen for cardiac services at Letterkenny University Hospital. Donegal Td Pádraig Mac Lochlainn has called for government assurances on the retention of cardiac services at Letterkenny University Hospital, after Deputy Marc McSharry confirmed that he had recieved assurances that sligo hospital would retain their cardiac services. The call has been sparked by

Two indigenous businesses are seeking to expand and set up manufacturing bases at Strabane Business Park. Castlederg-based Omega Crushing and Screening has lodged plans for a new 60,000 sq ft factory on the site while company Fabplus has submitted planning seeking to develop a new facility on 6.5 acres of the Invest NI site. Sinn

A hospital consultant’s warning restrictions may need to be reintroduced this autumn if covid infections continue to rise. The number of cases in public hospitals has crossed the 1,000 mark for the second time this week at 1,035. Roughly three in four of those receiving treatment are over the age of 65. Consultant, Bill Tormey,