Author name: highlandnews

The Northern Ireland Assembly that the failure of the A5 to proceed was not a matter of bad luck, but the outcome of system failure on the part of the Department for Infrastructure and the Executive. Foyle MLA Sinead McLaughlin said the department took shortcuts, and that’s been made clear in the ruling made earlier […]

The Just Transition Commission has published its first report, urging the government to ensure that as Ireland moves towards a carbon neutral society, the changes do not impact unfairly on any groups in society. Donegal based Michelle Murphy, a research and policy analyst with Social Justice Ireland, is part of the 11-member commission. She says the aim is

Sinn Féin and the Government have clashed in fiery exchanges over the redevelopment of the GPO. The Cabinet this week signed off on the implementation of a plan for improving Dublin, which includes redeveloping the GPO with cultural, office and shopping space. Pearse Doherty accused the Government of having something against the soldiers of 1916……………..

The Health Minister has confirmed this morning that she has still not received the business case for the North West Surgical Hub. There has been much backlash since it emerged that Sligo University Hospital was being put forward as the preferred location for the facility as opposed to Letterkenny. HSE Regional Manager, Tony Canavan, last

The Government has voted down an amendment brought before the Dail by Donegal Deputies Pearse Doherty and Padraig MacLochlainn that would have exempted thousands of defective block homeowners from having to pay Local Property Tax. The amendment called on the Finance Minister to, within three months of the passing of the act, prepare and bring

An Inishowen Councillor says there needs to be an end to water being supplied to other parts of Donegal from the peninsula until infrastructure issues are addressed. It comes as people in Carndonagh are without water for a second day, while businesses have been forced to close as parts of Clonmany experienced four water mains

The HSE has confirmed that the Capital Investment Plan for Letterkenny University Hospital will run in parallel with proposals for Sligo University Hospital. Councillor Ciaran Brogan has welcomed the confirmation that, going forward, both hospitals will be seen as a level playing field. A Capital Programme Oversight Board has been established, which will facilitate input

Letterkenny Chamber of Commerce has echoed the national call to action from Chambers Ireland for delivering the State’s key infrastructure. Letterkenny Chamber’s submission to the National Development Plan 2026-2035 review calls for the immediate delivery of the long-delayed TEN-T project and the prioritisation of housing delivery to unlock growth and address workforce shortages. The group

The Donegal Disabled Persons Organisation DPO has blamed regional imbalance for the lack of accessible footpaths, roads, buildings, transport and internet connectivity in Donegal. The group recently held two workshops on issues disabled people want the United Nations Committee for the Rights of Persons’ with Disabilities to ask the Irish state in September. One participant

Deputy Charles Ward has told the Dáil that people are looking to move on with their lives and be rid of the burden that the defective concrete crisis has put on them and their families. The Donegal Deputy was speaking on a Motion regarding Legislative and Structural Reforms to Accelerate Housing Delivery. He said the

The Seanad has been told that a new plan governing Local Link services and other public transport is being drawn up to cover the period from 2026 to 2030. The issue was raised by Senator Manus Boyle, who was calling for improvements in local rural transport systems, particularly in the vicinity of Ardara, Glenties, Mountcharles

  The Chairperson of the cross border A5/N2 Committee says he believes the A5 can be brought back on track, but Stormont Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins will have a difficult task negotiating with Executive colleagues on issues of climate change and emissions. Donegal Councillor Paul Canning says a close reading of the judgement suggests if

The new Chair of the HSE’s Regional Health Forum says securing a surgical hub for Donegal will be a key target of his tenure, and he will be using his place at the top table to push the case with the HSE’s regional chief Tony Canavan and other officials. Cllr Gerry McMonagle also says the

The Dail’s been told that the quashing of approval for the A5 improvement plans is a blow, but the government is hopeful the issue raised in the Belfast High Court will be addressed speedily. The issue was raised in the Dail last night by Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher. Junior Minister Jerry Buttimer assured the

A Donegal Deputy says a decision to extend the right for people from Northern Ireland to vote in the Presidential election is long overdue. Speaking in the Dail yesterday evening, Sinn Féin TD Padraig Mac Lochlainn said people in the North have been contributing to achievements in Irish sport for years, yet cannot vote for

Cllr Declan Meehan has criticised the HSE, accusing it of operating a “policy of neglect” towards Letterkenny University Hospital. At a Regional Health Forum West meeting yesterday, he said it is part of a persistent pattern of underinvestment that has left Donegal patients at a distinct disadvantage compared to their counterparts in neighbouring counties. Cllr

A Donegal Deputy says a new school building must be facilitated for Scoil Mhuire Milford. Speaking to Taoiseach Micheal Martin in the Dail, Deputy Charles Ward from the 100% Redress Party says the school has been denied permission to build despite having land to do so. He says, along with numerous safety issues within the