Author name: highlandnews

Amendments to the Defective Concrete Block bill has received government approval and is set to be debated in the Dail this evening. However Deputy Charles Ward says he and other TDs only received a copy of the amendments at 10 o’clock this morning. The changes seek to improve flexibility in the case of semi-detached houses

It’s emerged that of 23 historic dumps in Donegal, only 3, or 13%, have been submitted to the EPA for certification. That’s slightly above the national average of 10%. Certification is designed to minimise the risk of pollution to local ecosystems and waterways. However, a Journal Investigates report has found a number of these sites

Atlantic Technological University is to receive over €10 million under the Technological Enhancement Fund. A total of €65.8 million has been announced by Minister James Lawless, of which €10.5 million will be shared by the ATU campuses in Donegal, Sligo, Mayo and Galway. Minister Charlie McConalogue says this is extra funding which gives the campuses

  The Public Expenditure Minister says ‘narrow vested interests’ are slowing down critical infrastructure projects. Jack Chambers is bringing a memo to Government in a bid to cut through the red tape in order to deliver more homes, roads and other crucial infrastructure. The 30 recommendation report will include specific legislation to fast-track key projects

Gardai are investigating a hit and run incident in Letterkenny on Sunday evening. Shortly before 7.30, a collision occurred between a white Audi and a silver Toyota Vitz at the roundabout on the Kilmacrennan Road. Both cars were travelling from Letterkenny and exiting the roundabout to travel towards Kilmacrennan. Gardai say no injuries were reported,

Gardaí are appealing for witnesses in connection with a number of incidents that occurred in the area of the Beeches, Ballybofey on Wednesday night last. The sequence of events incidents started in the estate at 11.30pm. On today’s Nine til Noon Show, Garda Sean Sweeney made this appeal for information……………..    

Farmers say a recall of Brazilian beef from EU markets raises very serious questions about its production standards. The recall follows the discovery of hormones in beef exported from Brazil to the EU. It coincides with a report on the findings of an IFA /Irish Farmers Journal investigation on production standards for Brazilian beef. Adam

Former Donegal County Council Manager Michael McLoone who passed away at the weekend has been remembered as a pioneer, who totally transformed the authority. Mr McLoone served as County Manager in Lifford from 1994 until 2010, and oversaw a number of groundbreaking initiatives, including the construction of Public Services Centres in Carndonagh, Donegal Town, Dungloe, 

The Stormont Assembly has heard calls for observer status for political representatives in Northern Ireland. It’s after 14 MEPs wrote to the President of the European Parliament seeking the status. Foyle MLA Ciara Ferguson was speaking to First Minister Michelle O’Neill on the issue, saying the letter also noted that, in the case of a

The government has announced the Christmas Bonus will be paid to over 1 point 5 million social welfare recipients this week, 54,900 of them in Donegal. Eligible recipients include pensioners, carers, people with disabilities, and lone parents. The bonus will be issued alongside regular weekly payments. Minister for Social Protection, Dara Calleary says over a

An Inishowen Councillor has raised his concerns around the timeline and funding for the Fort Dunree regeneration project. This was following a presentation on Capital Projects at a Special Plenary Meeting of Donegal County Council. It was revealed that the Fort Dunree project, which was initially granted almost €12.5m, will now need an estimated €22m

Chairperson of the Regional Health Forum Cllr Gerry McMonagle says children in Donegal with a physical or mental disability are being let down and denied proper health care by the Government. During a recent Regional Health Forum West meeting, Cllr McMonagle asked questions in relation to the scarcity of respite beds and the vacant Consultant

Two men have died following a crash in Enniskillen in Co. Fermanagh on Friday night. The PSNI has confirmed both were occupants of a Ford Kuga car when the collision occurred with a Bus Eireann coach on the Derrylin Road shortly after 7pm. There are no reports of any injuries to passengers on the bus

Cllr Gerry McMonagle says the number of individuals coming to councillors with eviction notices is significantly increasing. This follows the Government’s announcement that there will be rental reforms introduced during early next year which they say will protect and improve security for tenants. Under the Tenancy SITU scheme, council can purchase a home from a

The Health Minister is pleading with people to get the flu vaccine. The HSE is predicting 1,500 people could be in hospital with flu at Christmas. The vaccine is available for free to certain age groups, including those over 60, children under 17 and people with certain medical conditions. Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill says this

A Donegal councillor says the grants available for developing new wells need to be increased, and the terms and conditions need to be changed to reflect current realities. Cllr Michael Naughton told a meeting this week that at present, people have to live in the home for a set period before they can get the