Author name: oisinkelly

Sinn Féin plans to move a Dáil motion next week calling for enhancements to the Mica redress scheme. The current scheme allows for up to 90 per cent of the cost of works needed due to defective construction blocks containing the mineral Mica. Around 5 or 6 thousand homes in Donegal and Mayo are thought

Farmers have taken to the streets of Raphoe today, to demonstrate over EU CAP reform proposals and the Government’s climate action plan. Rallies were held in 30 towns across the country. The Irish Farmers’ Association says the future of commercial farming is under threat, which would have a massive impact on rural Ireland. While they

The CEO of the Saolta Hospital Group has warned that a month on from the cyber attack on the HSE, patient services continue to feel the impact in hospitals, including Letterkenny University Hospital. Tony Canavan, says since IT systems were shut down by the cyber attack, there has been a significant impact on patient care

The astonishment on the face of the Taoiseach was clear as he held debris from Mica affected blocks in his hand yesterday. That’s according to the Chair of the Mica Action Group who met with Micheal Martin yesterday. Michael Doherty says Mica is on a scale that the Taoiseach did not realise prior to his

The Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council says the €12.5m investment in Fort Dunree will help it reach its full potential. Plans include the bringing back to life some of the buildings at the site as well as the refurbishment of the museum and the creation of new walkways. The development of a funicular cable railway

The European Parliament has called for a ban on caged animal farming. The vote comes in response to a petition signed by more than 1.3 million people. MEPs want the EU to carry out an analysis of the use of cages with the aim of setting phasing out dates species by species. Midlands North-West MEP,

An Inishowen Councillor has expressed concern at the high number of refusals when council houses are offered to people on the waiting list. Members were told this week that between 35% and 40% of offers are turned down, a slight increase on recent years. Cllr Nicholas Crossan says while there may be genuine reasons for

Donegal County Council says restoration works at The Old Abbey in Kilmacrennan and the old Church building at Gartan Graveyard should be complete by the end of the year. Questions were raised on the issue this week by Cllr Michael McBride. Donegal County Council says both Kilmacrennan Abbey and St. Colmcille’s Chapel in Gartan are

A Raphoe Councillor has heavily criticised the Taoiseach’s visit to the county yesterday. Councillor Frank McBrearty believes at present, the government is circling the wagons. He has called on opposition leaders and independents to come together to move Dail motions seeking a 100% redress scheme with no cap or hidden costs, and that all properties

Arlene Foster’s last official engagement as the North’s First Minister is taking place today. She’ll attend the British-Irish Council meeting in Co Fermanagh, in its first non-virtual gathering since the start of the pandemic. She’s likely to step down as First Minister after the event – with Paul Givan due to take over on Monday.

Farmers will take to the streets in towns across the country today for a nationwide rally. They’ll be highlighting the importance of commercial farming to the rural economy and will warn against the dangers of current CAP proposals. Farmers will be gathering at Raphoe Mart this morning at 10am before travelling through the town in

The number of people with Covid-19 in ICU is at its lowest level this year. 23 patients with the virus are currently in intensive care, while 59 people are in hospital – the lowest in nearly 9 months. 398 new cases of the disease have been confirmed in the Republic. Trinity College Dublin Professor of

The Taoiseach says one million people should be fully vaccinated against Covid 19 by the end of the day. So far over 3 million people have been given a dose of a jab. Micheál Martin says 70 per cent of adults should be fully vaccinated against the virus by the end of July. Meanwhile, the

€12.5m in funding has been announced for the development of Dunree Military Fort and Museum. The funding under Failte Ireland’s Platform for Growth Programme 2021 will have a transformative impact on the site with amendments and improvements to many aspects of the site including new walkways, pathways and additional car parking. 25% of the funding

A Donegal Deputy believes the current Mica Redress Scheme can be overhauled rather than being thrown out completely. Deputy Thomas Pringle says homeowners were encouraged to build big houses by the Government and banks and that a redress scheme that recognises that is needed. He told today’s Nine til Noon Show that it is ultimately

There are further calls for the threshold for eligibility for social housing to be increased. Concerns have repeatedly been raised that as a result of the low threshold people cannot access the council’s social housing waiting list. A family must earn €30,000 or less in order to be eligible to apply for social housing. Councillor

Donegal County Council is being asked to put in a funding application for a Village Renewal Project in Newtowncunningham. At this week’s meeting of Inishowen Municipal District, Cllr Paul Canning said because of a number of projects, including social housing and a new Primary Care Centre, it hasn’t been possible to carry out resurfacing and

Cases of Covid-19 will drop significantly once over-30s are vaccinated, according to a former head of the HSE. 30 to 39 year olds are expected to be able to register for a jab next week. The HSE says the online portal will open ‘shortly’ for this age-group, as people in their 40s continue to be

The five-day moving average of Covid-19 cases has dropped by 24% since last Saturday. It now stands at 327, after 259 cases were reported yesterday – the lowest in nearly six months. 76 Covid patients are in hospital, with 27 in intensive care. Dr Mary Favier, a member of NPHET, is urging people to be

A South Donegal Deputy is calling for members of his own party to resign for their involvement in a polling controversy. Fianna Fáil last night admitted party activists posed as market researchers to carry out polling, prior to 2007. Sinn Féin and Fine Gael have both admitted to a similar practice – but say it

US president Joe Biden believes the UK-EU trade row must not endanger peace in Northern Ireland. He’ll express his concerns when he meets Boris Johnson today, ahead of tomorrow’s G7 summit of world leaders in Cornwall. The EU and the UK are rowing over the Northern Ireland protocol – which involves how goods trade between