Author name: highlandnews

The Taoiseach says he doesn’t believe TDs and Senators sleeping in their cars in Dublin is a widespread problem. Reports suggest a small number of public representatives are struggling to find hotel rooms in the capital, with some resorting to sleeping in their cars. The high cost of hotel rooms and the influx of Ukrainian

Keeping up to date with booster vaccines is key to combating the latest Covid variant, according to a leading immunologist. Two cases of the new BA.4 and BA.5 variants have been identified in Ireland this month, though there is no indication that it causes more severe infections than previous mutations. Professor of Immunology at DCU

Campaigner Michael Doherty has urged the government to get the final details of the Mica redress scheme right ahead of a party leaders meeting tonight. Details of the redress scheme are expected to be at heart of the discussions tonight ahead of the presentation of the full Mica bill and memo to Cabinet next Tuesday,

  A report to be launched at the Donegal ATU’s Letterkenny Campus tomorrow finds that 58% of students and 53% of adults sometimes drink in a hazardous manner. The report, titled ‘Building a Safer Donegal’, is based on research carried out by a team from Queens in Belfast, and is being published by Alcohol Forum

Derry City and Strabane District Council is to debate a motion calling for a dedicated Irish passport office in Northern Ireland. The motion is being moved by Cllr Emma McGinley, who says a similar motion was passed in 2018, but given the surge in demand for Irish passports in the wake of Brexit, it’s time

A South Inishowen councillor says there is light at the end of the tunnel for Newtowncunningham. Cllr Paul Canning says a steering group has been established by Donegal County Council following confirmation of funding earlier this year for a masterplan. Meanwhile, a Tourist Information Kiosk will be officially launched at Kernans’ later this week. Cllr

An influential group of US politicians including Richard Neal will visit Dublin today to discuss the Northern Ireland Protocol. The Ways and Means Committee which he chairs have concerns over the British government’s stance on the issue. They will then travel on to Belfast as part of a four day visit to the island. Mr

A group of ten influential US politicians has arrived in Ireland this afternoon, with the Northern Ireland Protocol set to dominate discussions. The bipartisan group, headed by congressman Richard Neal, is in Kerry today before visits to Dublin and Belfast during the week. Mr Neal is chair of the US Ways and Means Committee, which

  The World Health Organisation’s warning of a further rise in Monkeypox cases. It says 80 have now been confirmed across 11 countries, with a further 50 being investigated in Europe. The infection was first identified in monkeys and up to now had rarely spread outside Africa. Infectious diseases expert, Professor Samuel McConkey, believes it’s

Tens of thousands of people supporting the “An Dream Dearg” movement are expected to attend a march in Belfast today calling for the delayed Irish language act to be enacted in the North. Legislation to protect the rights of Irish speakers and make the language have equal status to English in Northern Ireland have been

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