Author name: highlandnews

Criticism has been levelled at the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority at a meeting of the Joint Committee of Fisheries and Maritime Affairs. Among the critiques was the level of surveillance that Irish fishers are subjected to by the SFPA, which one member says affects their reputation internationally. Donegal Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher says at […]

Members of Inishowen Municipal District have sought a workshop with council officials and the Donegal Roads Office to discuss the need to complete the Buncrana Inner- Relief Road. An MD meeting was told that €30,000 has been allocated for initial preparatory work this year, but Cllr Fionan Bradley says even if four times that amount

The Taoiseach’s told the Dail there is price gouging happening in terms of fuel prices in Ireland. Stock markets around the world have tumbled over concerns about soaring energy prices. The cost of oil and gas has risen sharply on international markets, as the conflict in the Middle East continues. There have been reports of

Campaigners from Gaeltacht housing groups are protesting outside Leinster House this afternoon – over what they’re calling ‘a housing and language crisis’. Its organised by Tinteán, which is demanding the government take immediate action to save housing in Gaeltacht areas. Representatives from Bánú and CATU are joining the demonstration, calling for more funding and a

Two-thirds of people prefer to go on stay-cations during off-peak seasons, according to Fáilte Ireland. It comes as the tourism authority launches its ‘Find Yourself on a Short Break’ campaign, aimed at encouraging more people to holiday at home especially outside the summer months, with the sector in Donegal hoping to benefit from the campaign.

The issue of regulation has been raised at a meeting of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Fisheries and Maritime Affairs. The amount of processes Irish fishers have to comply with compared to other European nations was one of the issues highlighted. Deputy Padraig MacLochlainn quoted from a post made by the Irish Fish Processors and

A potential county-wide review into parking charges has sparked concern amongst residents and traders in Buncrana around the free half-hour parking period. This issue has arisen due to parking systems across towns in Donegal operating differently, and the contrasts in the price of parking. It’s been highlighted how crucial the free parking period is for

The Department of Education has told Letterkenny Milford that the accommodation needs of St Eunan’s College will continue to be assessed and considered along with other schools on a case-by-case basis. Following a meeting last month, the MD wrote to the department seeking a meeting with the minister to make the case for the school

The Assembly has been told that girls and boys born between 2022 and 2024 in the Derry City and Strabane Council area will have a lower healthy life expectancy than children born four years earlier. Foyle MLA Sinead McLaughlin quoted figures from the Office of National Statistics showing that girls can expect 54.2 years of

The Justice Minister says he will meet with the bereaved families and survivors of the Creeslough tragedy, but only after other processes are completed first. Ten people were killed in the explosion on October 7th 2022. Speaking to reporters in Cavan at a cross-border policing event, Minister Jim O’Callaghan acknowledged the families deserve answers, but

The Donegal woman who spent the past 28 days at the Bord Bia offices in Dublin says if Larry Murrin returns to the chair of the food advisory board, their protest will recommence. Christine Friel was speaking after the protest ended tonight pending a governance review. Agriculture Minister Martin Heydon has welcomed today’s agreement. He

The Justice Minister says he will ‘consider’ an enquiry into the Creeslough tragedy. 10 people were killed in the explosion in County Donegal, on October seventh 2022. Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan also says he has “no difficulty” in meeting the families affected. He says they deserve answers, but repeated his belief that other processes must

Representatives of Donegal Youth Council are to be invited to address the county’s Local Community Safety Partnership. At the body’s first public meeting recently, Tusla, Letterkenny Chamber and other agencies said it’s important that when the interests of young people are being discussed, they have a direct input into the conversaation. Michael McDevitt, the Youth

Across the weekend, two separate dog attacks on flocks of sheep were recorded in the Falcarragh area. This has resulted in the deaths of sheep ahead of the lambing period, which is set to begin, causing distress to both the farmers and the sheep alike. The financial loss to the farmers has been highlighted due

A Donegal Councillor has called for clarity from the HSE in relation to full time contracts for national ambulance workers. According to SIPTU, 80 newly-qualified graduates will not be offered permanent roles following their three years of training. The HSE says this is due to their lack of budgetary capacity to take on new members.

The National Ambulance Service has decided to no longer offer full-time contracts to graduating students. According to SIPTU, around 80 newly-qualified graduates will not be offered permanent roles following their three years of training. It says the HSE has told its members they don’t have the budgetary capacity to take on new members. SIPTU is

Letterkenny Cabs has announced its intention to reduce the provision of wheelchair transport directly. They say, because of rising costs, they are ceasing investment in their own fleet and reducing the quantity of wheelchair accessible transport. However, they hope to continue using a mixture of direct employees and agent drivers. Sean Gallagher, Managing Director of

Donegal Cancer Flights and Services have welcomed a formal reply that they have received from the Minister for Health, in relation to the Donegal – Dublin PSO timetable. Minister Jennifer Carroll Mac Neill said the Department acknowledges the serious concern and potential impact on cancer patients and other medical travellers in the North West. The

Local Enterprise Week begins on Monday with lots of events scheduled around Donegal to support local and small businesses. This event takes place across the 31 Local Enterprise Office branches nationwide. Head of Enterprise at the Donegal Local Enterprise Office, Brenda Hegarty, says there are lots of events scheduled. She’s detailed this week’s events:

The issue of seaweed harvesting was raised at a meeting of Donegal County Council’s Economic Strategic Policy Committee. Large corporations seeking licenses to harvest seaweed have been a cause for concern within coastal communities. This is particularly in relation to the effect mechanical harvesting can have on the ecosystem. Cllr Albert Doherty says marine regulation is