Author name: highlandnews

Sinn Fein’s Finance Spokesperson and the Green Party leader have clashed in the Dail over cost of living measures announced last week. Minister Eamon Ryan accused Sinn Fein of constantly changing their approach after Donegal Deputy Pearse Doherty hit out at what he said was Minister Ryan’s determination to increase already soaring energy prices with

Schools in Donegal are to close tomorrow as Storm Eunice arrives. The Department of Education has confirmed that due to the extreme nature of Storm Eunice and the threat of multi-hazard weather events as confirmed by Met Éireann, it is advising that schools in counties where Status Red wind warnings and status Orange snow warnings

The laws enforcing masks in shops and on public transport are due to expire at the end of the month. Minister Simon Harris says the rule is likely to be dropped if that’s what the public health advice is……. Letterkenny Hair stylist Patrick Gildea they will continue to wear face coverings in his premises after

  Momentum is said to be building around the idea of establishing an Educate Together secondary school in Letterkenny. Currently, there is an Educate Together primary school in the town but it’s thought that there could be an appetite locally for pupils to have the option to progress to a similar school at second level.

The European Consumer Centre says some people are still awaiting refunds from certain airlines for cancelled flights almost two years after their travel plans were affected by Covid 19. The ECC says some airlines have not returned all monies owed, even though they are obliged to do so under the law. ECC Spokesperson Dr Cyril

  Garda management should be using the Garda Reserve more, particularly at community level. That’s according to a former member of the Reserve, who spoke to Greg Hughes on the Nine til Noon Show today following calls yesterday from Cllr Albert Doherty for more gardai to address antisocial behaviour in Carndonagh.   Donal, who had

  The Minister for the OPW says the Corn & Flax Mills in Newmills will not be given any significant funding unless visitor numbers increase. The OPW owned facility on the outskirts of Letterkenny is said to have huge tourism potential, with calls for it to be promoted better on a national stage. A number

A Donegal County Councillor is urging people to take part in a public consultation on how the Board of Údarás na Gaeltachta should be selected. The public and interested organisations are being invited to share their opinions and suggestions in writing with the Department in relation to the matter between now and 25 March 2022.

The State’s emergency weather response team’s warning of potential power cuts ahead of the arrival of Storm Eunice. The storm’s expected to arrive early tomorrow morning, bringing strong winds and coastal flooding. A Status Orange Wind Warning’s will be in place in seven southern counties, while a yellow alert for wind, rain and snow will

  The Dail will today hear calls for hospital parking to be made free for people with outpatient appointments. Aontu leader Peadar Tobin and Independent TD Cathal Berry are putting forward a bill that’s proposing three hours of free parking for every hospital visit. A government spokesperson says it has no plans to oppose the

  A Donegal Deputy has accused the Taoiseach of refusing to hear statements from opposition parties in the Dail. Deputy Padraig MacLochlainn claims for two weeks in a row Government has refused to hear any statements requested by those in the opposition. He says this is despite Micheal Martin previously committing to two debates on

  The Dail has been told that the transport system in Ireland is a system of inequality, and immediate action is needed to replace services and allowances which have been scaled down, or are no longer available. Deputy Thomas Pringle was speaking during a debate on mobility and transport supports for people with disabilities. He

  Hefty penalties could be on the way for anyone found to be interfering with defibrillators or life buoys. The Seanad will today debate the Life Saving Equipment Bill 2017, as part of its journey through the Oireachtas. It would impose a maximum five year sentence, a 50,000 euro fine or both for anyone convicted.

The strength of sterling and interest from Northern Ireland, could be contributing to high house prices in the border region. That’s according to the Institute of Professional Auctioneers and Valuers. It comes as CSO figures show residential property prices nationally went up by 14.4 per cent in 2021. However, homes near the border saw increases

The Taoiseach has been pressed to ensure an investigation into HSE management in the North West is carried out. Donegal Deputy Thomas Pringle called on Micheal Martin in the Dail today to investigate what he’s described as “ongoing patterns of failure” in residential centres in the region. It comes following details contained in the Brandon

Latest figures show people in Dublin have the highest disposable incomes in the state, while people in Donegal have the fourth lowest. Preliminary CSO statistics for 2020 show disposable income in Dublin was €27,913 compared to a national average of €23,615. The lowest regional disposable income was €18,378, recorded in the Midlands, while the Border

The government should be providing more cash to pig farmers in “dire” need. That’s according to a Midlands North West MEP. According to the Irish Farmers Association, other European countries have used post-pandemic funding to increase aid to their farmers. The IFA says farmers are facing “spiralling costs” which are outside their control. MEP, Chris

  The Director of Emergency Services at Donegal County Council is urging people to be on the alert on foot of severe weather warnings issued by Met Éireann. Storm Dudley will bring long spells of rain, spot flooding and very strong winds over the next 24 hours. A Status Yellow Wind Warning is in effect

Regulations mandating facemasks to be worn in shops, public transport and schools are expected to be dropped. NPHET will meet tomorrow, and is expected to replace the rules with guidance urging people to continue wearing face coverings. Stranorlar based Dr Denis McAuley chairs the Irish Medical Organisation’s GP Committee – He believes this would be

  Serious concern has been raised over what’s been described as a lack of Gardai to deal with antisocial behaviour in Carndonagh. It’s understood that there were several incidents in the town over the weekend and Gardai from elsewhere had to be called in to deal with the situation. Cllr Albert Doherty says he has

The St. Patrick’s Day parade 2022 in Donegal Town has been given the ‘green’ light. The festivities were thrown into doubt in recent weeks after a poor turnout at an initial planning meeting – just six people attended, three of which were from the same family. However there was a much bigger attendance at a

  Farmers say they’ll hold a further meeting with Dunnes Stores on food prices in the next week. The retailer’s currently considering proposals put forward yesterday by farmers, who’re concerned at rising production costs. President of the Irish Farmers Association, Tim Cullinan, believes their asks are reasonable:

  Sinn Fein’s Finance Spokesperson is calling for an end to tax advantages gifted to investment funds. Donegal Deputy Pearse Doherty moved a motion on the matter in the Dail last evening with an aim of protecting renters and homebuyers. The motion also calls on the Government to bring forward measures to empower local authorities

  The Sinn Fein leader has described the latest developments as it relates to HSE management in the North West as disturbing. It’s after the Health Watchdog noted “a very serious incident” regarding the online behaviour of a resident at one residential disability centre in the region which is believed to relate to a resident

  Irish Water has come under fire yet again over what’s been described as a lack of engagement with Donegal County Council. Despite numerous invitations for Irish Water to attend Council meetings, the utility rarely sends a representative to discuss the various concerns of the day. Cllr Donal Kelly says there are a number of

  A review into the future of GP services will get under way this year, according to the Health Minister. Stephen Donnelly says the government committed to it in 2019, but it was delayed due to the Covid pandemic. The Irish College of GPs is warning 2,000 doctors need to be recruited over the next

People in the North West deserve better from health services. That’s according to Donegal Deputy Pearse Doherty who was reacting to concerns raised by HIQA over the HSE’s fitness as a registered provider of centres for people with disabilities in the region. Concern was expressed by HIQA about the HSE’s management of its services in

The Taoiseach has been told that people cannot afford to wait until the Budget for additional measures to tackle the cost of living. Sinn Fein Leader Mary Lou McDonald has accused Michael Martin of showing no urgency and ‘dithering’ when it comes to addressing the issue. The party says the package announced by Government last