Author name: highlandnews

SF will not accept a ‘pep talk’ from Boris Johnson – O’Neill

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

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Pressure mounts for pre-legislative scrutiny on future Mica bills

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,

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Donegal Volunteer Centre marking National Volunteering Week

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

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Traffic safety protocols needed on non-council controlled estates – McMonagle

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

Traffic safety protocols needed on non-council controlled estates – McMonagle Read More »

Community Groups invited to apply to 2022 Minor Tourism Works Grant Scheme

Donegal County Council is inviting local community groups to apply for this year’s Minor Tourism Related Works Grant Scheme. The scheme has been in place for a number of years, assisting community groups in the county to invest in local infrastructure with the Council covering the cost. The Council say this scheme will fund works

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Junior Minister claims NMH church concerns are a “red herring”

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

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Foreign Affairs Minister concerned by UK “red flags” over NI Protocol

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 –

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Questions to be asked of National Maternity Hospital management on Monday

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

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Letterkenny Gardaí catch disqualified and drug drivers

Gardaí from the Letterkenny Roads Policing Unit caught a number of motorists yesterday evening while conducting routine checkpoints in the Letterkenny area. One driver was caught driving while disqualified and court proceedings are to follow for them. Another driver was detected driving under the influence of cannabis, Gardaí say they’ll also face court actions.

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Waiting lists at Letterkenny University Hospital drop slightly

The number of people on waiting lists at Letterkenny University Hospital has dropped over the past year. 16,492 people were awaiting an outpatient appointment at LUH as of April. According to figures from the National Treatment Purchase Fund, that figure is down 7% when compared to the same period the previous year. Of those waiting

Waiting lists at Letterkenny University Hospital drop slightly Read More »

British Govt using NI Protocol as “distraction” – FG EU Spokesperson

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

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Cathaoirleach calls for footpath investment due to insurance claim costs

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

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“Supply is the answer” to housing crisis – Taoiseach

“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,

“Supply is the answer” to housing crisis – Taoiseach Read More »

Mulroy College students to compete in Brussels following national victory

Celebrations are in full swing at Mulroy College following the victory of Livvy Curran, Lucy Van Ruiven and Millie McCourt, Transition Year students, known collectively as L&M Books. The trio were crowned first place in the NFTE Social Enterprise National Finals with their concept of an activity book for children aged 6 to 12, to

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Efforts ongoing to locate missing man believes to have travelled to Donegal

Searches are continuing today for a missing man believed to have travelled to Donegal 55 year old Donal Kelly is believed to have travelled to the county on Tuesday morning. He’s described as being 5ft 7 in height, of a slim build and wears glasses. Donal was last seen wearing a grey fleece top and

Efforts ongoing to locate missing man believes to have travelled to Donegal Read More »

Donegal County Council agrees €20 million loan to fund capital projects

Donegal County Council is to borrow €20 million over to fund capital developments across the county. Members sanctioned the loan at a special meeting this morning. The council’s Director of Finance Richard Gibson told members the loan will be used to secure grants of around €80 million, allowing the council to spend €100 million on

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Access funding announced for three Coillte sites in Donegal

€180,000 is to be spent on improvements at three Coillte sites in Donegal. €100,000 will go towards improvements to the entrance road at Ards Forest Park in Creeslough, €55,000 towards improved car parking and access at Drumboe, Stranorlar, and €25,000 for similar work at Coravaddy outside Letterkenny. It’s part of a new five year strategic

Access funding announced for three Coillte sites in Donegal Read More »

€20 million scheme being launched to preserve blanket bogs

Steps are being taken to restore blanket bog habitat in the northwest of the country. The Junior Minister for Heritage Malcolm Noonan has unveiled a 20.6 million euro Bog Conservation Project today. The project has 35 sites covering a total of more than 250,000 hectares along the Western seaboard from south Galway to north Donegal

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DUP won’t facilitate speaker nomination as new Assembly meets

The DUP says it won’t support the nomination a Speaker for the Northern Ireland Assembly as it meets for the first time since last week’s historic election result. In a Statement to The Belfast Newsletter, Jeffrey Donaldson says the party will keep its promise to the electorate and demand ‘decisive action’ on the Northern Ireland

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Bathing water quality at Lady’s Bay, Buncrana deemed to be ‘poor’

Lady’s Bay in Buncrana is one of two beaches in the country where the quality of bathing water ìs deemed to be poor. The other is in Balbriggan, Dublin. It follows the publication of the EPA’s annual bathing water survey, which finds that generally, water quality continues to improve. The EPA says the main sources

Bathing water quality at Lady’s Bay, Buncrana deemed to be ‘poor’ Read More »

Councils launch website to promote digital transformation in NW

A new website has been launched to promote the development of a digital transformation plan for the North West City Region. Developed by the ERNACT network, the website will facilitate information to interested parties about digital transformation, with an emphasis on the various initiatives and action plans in the cross-border area. Derry City and Strabane

Councils launch website to promote digital transformation in NW Read More »

Donaldson resigns Assembly seat as EU-UK tensions rise

The DUP leader has resigned his assembly seat today, saying he expects the UK government to act on the Brexit protocol ‘fairly soon’, with former MP and MLA Emma Little-Pengeley taking his seat. Tensions between Britain and the EU over the post Brexit deal have increased today. EU Commission Vice President Maros Sefcovic insists the

Donaldson resigns Assembly seat as EU-UK tensions rise Read More »

Blanket of Hope launched at Errigal College

A ‘Blanket of Hope’ was launched today, featuring hundreds of individual squares knitted and crocheted by people all over Donegal and further afield. The project, which was launched earlier this year was coordinated by the Letterkenny Youth and Family Service Knitting and Crochet Group, the Donegal Social Prescribing Network and Errigal College. The squares have

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Donegal will mark Africa Day on Saturday

This Saturday marks Africa Day in Donegal. Donegal County Council and Donegal Intercultural Platform will jointly present an Africa Day celebration at the Regional Cultural Centre and An Grianán Theatre, Letterkenny. Celebrations commence at 11am with a series of exhibitions, discussions and creative writing workshops. The day will also include a Family Fun Day and

Donegal will mark Africa Day on Saturday Read More »