Author name: highlandnews

Donegal Deputy Charles Ward has challenged the Government’s record on defective concrete and quarry oversight in the Dáil. He questioned Tánaiste Simon Harris on a long-running complaint to the European Commission by Donegal homeowners concerning failures in construction product regulation and market surveillance, saying information he’d received relating to quarry audits raised serious concerns. With […]

A Midlands North West MEP says a proposed overhaul of EU funding could compromise Leader companies by stripping decision making from local communities and centralising control at national level. The warning was delivered this week at the European Parliament’s Regional Development Committee by Ciaran Mullooly. He’s also concerned that the allocations available for local development

The Taoiseach says he does not ‘in any shape or form’ feel under threat from his party, despite growing criticism of the Government’s handling of the fuel protests. It follows a fiery week within Dail Eireann, with Kerry TDs Danny and Michael Healy Rae turning their back on the coalition, while three Fianna Fail backbenchers

Lifford Stranorlar Municipal District has been told not enough is being done to advertise tourism in East Donegal. Cllr Patrick McGowan says he has proposed a number of times for a map to highlight the landmarks in the MD. He queried why his motions were not progressed, and said it’s low hanging fruit that could

A local Cllr has raised the possibility of providing serviced sites to facilitate the building of affordable homes in the Letterkenny-Milford Municipal District. Cllr Gerry McMonagle says this issue would help those whose earnings are too high to qualify for the social housing list, but are not enough to buy a house privately. He cited

  Failte Ireland has confirmed it will fund the submission of a new planning application for the Fort Dunree project in Inishowen. In July of last year, An Coimisiún Pleanála refused planning permission for the project, saying it was not satisfied that effluent could be satisfactorily treated on site without a risk of pollution. Donegal

  The Government is set to make the Public Services Card a valid form of age verification. The Minister for Social Protection has secured sign-off for the priority drafting of the bill, allowing the card to be used as ID. The move has drawn serious criticism due to past controversies around the card’s alleged breach

The Assembly has been told that failure to fully pursue renewable energy possibilities and construct the North South Electricity Interconnector has contributed to the current high cost of fuel. Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan acknowledged that international factors such as the US Iran conflict are beyond the control of Stormont and London, but said failure

A South Donegal councillor is urging the Government to take immediate action to address what he described as the “growing failure” of home energy retrofit schemes to meet the needs of households in Donegal. Cllr. Jimmy Brogan told a Donegal Municipal District meeting that while national policy has focused heavily on climate targets, it is

The Dail has been told that a corner has been turned in the relationship between Donegal and the current government. Speaking during last evening’s confidence motion, which the government won by 92 votes to 78, 100% Redress Deputy Charles Ward said there is a sense in the county that the people have been abandoned. He

Foyle MLA Julie Middleton has made her first speech in Assembly, using it to pay tribute to all those working in the provision of mental health services in the constituency, and urging anyone who is experiencing mental health issues to seek help. The DUP representative was co-opted on to the assembly following the resignation of

Michael Healy Rae has resigned as a Junior Minister to vote no confidence in the Government. The Kerry TD says he couldn’t back the coalition after its response to the fuel protests of the past week. His brother Danny will also pull his support for the coalition, reducing the Government’s majority to five. The Dáil

A Lifford Stranorlar councillor says there needs to be a MABs and Citizens’ Information service established in the Lifford Stranorlar Municipal District, with a focus on answering cross border questions. Cllr Patrick McGowan says given the number of people who cross the border on a daily basis for work, education and healthcare, people have very

Farmers in Donegal are being offered grants for the conservation of traditional farm buildings in the county. Grants of between €4,000 and €30,000 are available under the Traditional Farm Buildings Grant Scheme administered by The Heritage Council. Farmers interested in applying to this year’s scheme are encouraged to attend an online information briefing at 12

All motorways across the country are now clear of protests, according to Transport Infrastructure Ireland. The winding down of the action follows a package of more than half a billion euro which was agreed between the Government, hauliers and the agriculture sector yesterday. However, opposition parties say the measures don’t go far enough and Sinn

The Drumboe Walkway is to officially reopen this afternoon after more than a decade closed to the public. The scenic route in Lower Drumboe has been shut for 13 years, following years of local lobbying to have it restored. The Cathaoirleach, of the Lifford–Stranorlar Municipal District, Cllr Martin Harley will formally open the walkway at

A West Tyrone MLA has hit out at Sinn Fein, accusing the party of taking one approach on the Donegal side of the border, but a completely different one in Tyrone. Speaking in the Assembly today, Daniel McCrossan claimed there are around a hundred million pounds available in supports to the executive, they are not

The HSE have accepted a meeting with a local delegation regarding the status of Buncrana Community Hospital. This comes following engagement from Cllr Fionán Bradley, who insists the meeting must involve local people. The meeting is due to take place next Monday. Cllr Bradley says if satisfactory answers are not given there will need to

The Communications Minister is calling for Coimisiún na Meán to investigate media coverage of the fuel protests. Patrick O’Donovan says the content from RTE and other national broadcasters needs to be assessed to determine if it was ‘balanced or skewed’. He told Live 95 he feels the Government should have been given more opportunities to

Fuel protestors blocking Foynes Port in Limerick are standing down this afternoon. The decision was made following a vote among protestors earlier. It was anticipated members of the Garda Public Order Unit, who cleared blockades at Whitegate oil refinery in Cork yesterday and Galway Docks this morning, would travel to Foynes next. Fuels for Ireland

Sinn Féin says it will table a motion of no confidence in the government when the Dáil returns next week, citing its handling of the fuel and cost of living crisis. The party says the scale of the protests seen in recent days shows the government has lost the confidence of the public and is

Hundreds of people gathered on the Dual Carriageway, outside Letterkenny, yesterday for a go-slow protest. It comes as service stations across Donegal have reported shortages of petrol and diesel. Among those in attendance was 100% Redress Party TD Charles Ward. Deputy Ward says he hopes protests like the one that took place yesterday sends a