Author name: highlandnews

Opposition parties “firmly united” against “outrageous” attempts to give Regional Independents more speaking time

Opposition parties say they’re “firmly united” against “outrageous” attempts by the government to give the Regional Independent TDs more speaking time in the Dáil. Following an almost four hour meeting last night, the Dáil reform committee passed a Government proposal to allow the TDs to use Opposition speaking time, but support the government, by 10

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Almost €5m paid in Donegal bringing 93 homes back into use

New figures published by the Department for Housing, Local Government and Heritage show that almost €5 million has been paid in bringing 93 homes back into use. Since the launch of the vacant property refurbishment grant in July 2022, Donegal County Council holds the highest number, there have been 1,042 applications, 715 approvals and 93

Almost €5m paid in Donegal bringing 93 homes back into use Read More »

OPW developing national monitoring programme to study impacts of coastal erosion

Inishowen Municipal District has been told that the OPW is developing a national monitoring programme to study the impact of coastal erosion right across the Irish coast. It’s envisaged the process will be complete in the next few years. The issue was raised at a meeting this week by Cllr Martin McDermott, who says the

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South Donegal TD urges Government to put pressure on telecommunications companies to restore coverage following Storm Éowyn

A South Donegal TD is urging the government to put pressure on telecommunications companies to ensure that all people who lost mobile, landline, and broadband coverage have it restored as quickly as possible. Responding, Taoiseach Michael Martin said there is a comprehensive review of the national response to Storm Eowyn underway, and communication will play

South Donegal TD urges Government to put pressure on telecommunications companies to restore coverage following Storm Éowyn Read More »

Ceann Comhairle doesn’t expect consesus on Dáil speaking time row

The Ceann Comhairle says she doesn’t expect any consensus on the ongoing Dáil speaking time row. In a letter to opposition parties, Verona Murphy says it isn’t possible to give speaking opportunities solely to the opposition during Leaders’ Questions and Priority Questions. She insists that’s a matter for the standing orders of the house, and

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Justice Minister expresses concerns about establishing separate inquiry into Omagh bombing

The Justice Minister says he has concerns about establishing a separate inquiry into the Omagh bombing. 29 people were killed in the atrocity by dissident republicans in 1998. A UK inquiry has been hearing evidence from witnesses on that day, and the DUP leader feels an Irish inquiry should also be carried out. But Jim

Justice Minister expresses concerns about establishing separate inquiry into Omagh bombing Read More »

Taoiseach accused of ‘behaving like a child’ following clash with Pearse Doherty in chamber

The Taoiseach’s been accused of behaving like a child in the Dail. It’s after Micheal Martin clashed with Sinn Fein’s Pearse Doherty in the chamber. Doherty raised questions about Independent Tipperary TD Michael Lowry’s involvement with a UK football club. Rowdy scenes prompted Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy to intervene:

Taoiseach accused of ‘behaving like a child’ following clash with Pearse Doherty in chamber Read More »

Donegal Hospice set to relocate to Letterkenny Community Nursing Unit later this year for construction works

Donegal Hospice is set to relocate into the new Letterkenny Community Nursing Unit later this year as a temporary accommodation to allow for a major construction project. Additional accommodation is being provided at the facility, and at a meeting of the Regional Health Forum this week, Cllr Ciaran Brogan was told that HSE owned accommodation

Donegal Hospice set to relocate to Letterkenny Community Nursing Unit later this year for construction works Read More »

Irish language and Gaeltacht groups protesting Foras na Gaeilge cuts

40 Irish language and Gaeltacht groups across the country were protesting cuts announced by Foras na Gaeilge. The strike was organised to call on Governments in the north and south to reverse the latest cuts of €820,000 by providing the appropriate funding to Foras na Gaeilge now, and to urgently develop a long-term solution for

Irish language and Gaeltacht groups protesting Foras na Gaeilge cuts Read More »

Drivers caught reading letters and watching TV shows as National Slow Down Day continues

Drivers reading letters, writing in diaries and watching TV shows on their phones are just some of the behaviours being caught by Roads Policing Units across the country. National Slow Down Day continues until midnight tonight, with motorists being asked to consider if it’s worth losing their job or even their life due to speeding.

Drivers caught reading letters and watching TV shows as National Slow Down Day continues Read More »

Ward tells Dail the DCB scheme is not working

100% Redress Party Charles Ward has welcomed confirmation that the government plans to introduce a bill amending the Defective Concrete Redress Scheme during the current Dail term. Questioning Taoiseach Michael Martin, he asked what the nature of the changes would be, saying at present, the scheme is unworkable, citing a number of reasons, including what

Ward tells Dail the DCB scheme is not working Read More »

33 admitted patients awaiting beds at LUH this morning, 55 in Sligo

571 admitted patients were awaiting beds in hospitals around the country today. The INMO says University Hospital Limerick accounts for the largest number of those, with 112, followed by Cork University Hospital with 57 and Sligo University Hospital with 55. The figure for Letterkenny University Hospital was 33, six of them on Emergency Department trolleys.

33 admitted patients awaiting beds at LUH this morning, 55 in Sligo Read More »

Section of Derry’s Strand Road to close tonight to allow for further investigations into fatality 15 days ago

The PSNI say officers from the Collision Investigation Unit are returning to the scene of a fatal road traffic collision on Strand Road in Derry on Sunday, February 11th. A 42 year old male pedestrian died as a result of the incident. Testing at the scene will be carried out this evening and tonight, with

Section of Derry’s Strand Road to close tonight to allow for further investigations into fatality 15 days ago Read More »

Minister Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran being invited to Inishowen to review lack of progress on flood defences

A meeting of Inishowen Municipal District has been told that Storm Eowyn and its aftermath brought back memories for many people of the floods of 2017, and also reignited fear in many people who were badly impacted by the floods almost eight years ago, but still haven’t seen necessary flood prevention measures implemented. All members

Minister Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran being invited to Inishowen to review lack of progress on flood defences Read More »

Only 31% of LUH cancer patients begin treatment within the recommended period

It’s emerged that only 31% of newly diagnosed cancer patients at Letterkenny University Hospital begin their cancer treatment within the recommended time of 15 working days. This compared to 62% in University Hospital Galway, 76% in Sligo and 100% in Mayo. The figures were provided to Cllr Declan Meehan, who described the situation as an

Only 31% of LUH cancer patients begin treatment within the recommended period Read More »

Dooley meets representatives from the fishing, processing and aquaculture sectors

Junior Marine Minister Timmy Dooley has held his first meeting with seafood sector groups. He says he wants to work with the industry so they can identify solutions and opportunities, and build a sustainable future for coastal communities. The meeting brought together representatives from the catching, aquaculture and processing sectors, as well as the co-operatives,

Dooley meets representatives from the fishing, processing and aquaculture sectors Read More »

NI Justice Department planning a sugnificannt refurbishment and extension programme at Derry Courthouse

The North’s Justice Minister Naomi Longhas confirmed that a significant refurbishment is being planned for the courthouse on Derry’s Bishop Street. It had been thought that a new courthouse building would have been necessary because of the constraints presented at the current site, but that has now changed. The issue was raised in the Assembly

NI Justice Department planning a sugnificannt refurbishment and extension programme at Derry Courthouse Read More »

Gloster defends HSE’s response to ED trolley crisis

The head of the HSE is defending their efforts to tackle rising trolley figures. 669 patients were waiting for a bed in hospitals around the country this morning, according to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation, 28 of them at Letterkenny University Hospital and 61 in Sligo. However, Bernard Gloster claims there are discrepancies between

Gloster defends HSE’s response to ED trolley crisis Read More »

1,042 applications made to refurbish vacant properties in Donegal

Donegal County Council continues to hold the top spot for the highest number of vacant property grant applications. The Council has received 1,042 applications since the launch of the vacant property refurbishment grant in July 2022. 715 of them have been approved and 93 grants paid out. To date, over €77 million has been paid

1,042 applications made to refurbish vacant properties in Donegal Read More »

Over €76,000 awarded for water quality projects in Donegal

Over €76,000 in funding has been allocated for water quality projects in Donegal. Seven projects across the county are to benefit from the allocation from the Local Authority Waters Programme to support the delivery of projects and initiatives to enhance local water bodies and benefit water quality and biodiversity. Kilcar Parish Council has received the

Over €76,000 awarded for water quality projects in Donegal Read More »

Windows smashed during criminal damage incidents in Lifford and Letterkenny

Gardai are appealing for information in relation to two criminal damage incidents during which the windows of two houses were smashed in recent days. At around 9:50pm on Sunday, stones were thrown at a house in Cabhsa Cluain Lao, Gallows Lane, Lifford while earlier on Sunday, at around 6am the front sitting room window of

Windows smashed during criminal damage incidents in Lifford and Letterkenny Read More »

Investigations continuing after child seriously injured in crash in Killybegs

Investigations are continuing into a crash in Killybegs in which a 5 year old was seriously injured. The boy was struck by a car shortly before 5pm on Friday evening last at Largy. He remains in hospital. Gardai are continuing to appeal to anyone who witnessed the crash or who has any footage to contact

Investigations continuing after child seriously injured in crash in Killybegs Read More »

Victim of fatal workplace accident in Newtowncunningham named

The victim of a fatal workplace accident in Donegal has been named locally as Newtowncunningham man John Roulston. Mr Roulston who was in his 60s was pronounced dead at the scene following the accident at around 1pm yesterday afternoon in the Newtowncunningham area. Gardai and the Health and Safety Authority are continuing their investigations.

Victim of fatal workplace accident in Newtowncunningham named Read More »

Efforts ongoing to tackle littering at Ballymacool House, Letterkenny

Efforts are being made to establish who has responsibility for access to Ballymacool House in Letterkenny. It’s after the site was discovered laden with rubbish over the weekend including household items and toys. Chairperson of Letterkenny Tidy Towns Committee, Gerard McCormick says he will be holding discussions with Donegal County Council. He says while action

Efforts ongoing to tackle littering at Ballymacool House, Letterkenny Read More »