Author name: oisinkelly

  A Donegal Senator has rowed back on comments he previously made regarding the Mica Redress Scheme. On Friday, Senator Niall Blaney said he disagreed that a 100% redress scheme should be sanctioned and that such a scheme wouldn’t address all the issues facing affected homeowners from the current 90 – 10 format. His comments […]

Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue says he will continue to be the Donegal voice at the cabinet table for affected homeowners. Issues arising from the Mica Redress Scheme have come to the fore in recent times with Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien coming under pressure to sanction a 100% redress scheme. In a post on social media

Mica is set to dominate today’s meeting of Donegal County Council. Five motions will come before the sitting of full council including calls for a 100% redress scheme and for the local authority to acknowledge the frustration, anger and heartbreak of the affected homeowners. The campaign by homeowners affected by the defective block issue has

Postmasters are threatening to ballot members on a work stoppage in June, if the Government doesn’t give them a financial boost. The Irish Postmasters Union’s warning that the state needs to act urgently to maintain the Post Office Network. It says post offices across the country need financial intervention within weeks or the Network will

A Donegal Deputy has hit out at the lack of progress in commissioning a new purpose built ferry for Tory Island. A commitment was given three years ago after a campaign by those on Tory Island that a new ferry would be delivered. The Minister for Rural and Community Development now says a new breakwater

There are calls for smart technology to be used to monitor life ring buoys in Donegal. Councillor Jimmy Kavanagh is proposing Donegal County Council consider the initiative which would alert someone as soon as a ring buoy is missing from its holder. It comes following reports in recent times of the life saving equipment going

The European Commission Vice President says the bloc’s committed to finding the “best solution” for Northern Ireland regarding the Brexit protocol. It follows claims from DUP leader Edwin Poots that the North’s being used as a “plaything” to punish the UK for Brexit. He says having checks on goods arriving into the North from Britain’s

The Donegal IFA say the government and local authorities must act immediately to resolve the Mica block issue in the county. The County Chairman believes the government and local authorities must now step up with a scheme that covers 100% of the redress cost on all homes and farm buildings. He added they should also

A Donegal TD has called on the Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue to appear before the Dáil to explain his stance on CAP negotiations. CAP negotiations that were expected to conclude this week, ended without agreement between the European parliament and the blocks agriculture ministers. Donegal is one of the counties set to benefit the

People are being urged to take care in the sun today as the UV index will be moderate to high. Temperatures are set to reach 22 degrees in places this afternoon. It with be cooler along coastal areas and some showers may develop over the northern half of the country. Alan O’Reilly of Carlow Weather

Four people have been arrested in Dublin city centre after large crowds gathered on the streets overnight. Gardai say the arrests for public order offences were made on South William Street. They say officers from the Public Order Unit and the Dog Unit dispersed the crowd from the area, along with crowds in Temple Bar

Arlene Foster says the direction of unionism under new DUP leader Edwin Poots is “quite nasty”. Speaking to the Financial Times, the former leader of party says they’re “regressing and becoming more narrow”. During the week, Edwin Poots claimed the Irish Government will cut Northern Ireland off from food. John Downing, political columnist for the

Advice to work from home could ease through August under re-opening plans being considered by government. Yesterday a re-opening through the summer was announced for live events, international travel and indoor dining. Instructions for people to continue to stay away from the office were due to last until September. But Tánaiste and Minister for Business

The number of Covid patients in hospital is at its lowest level in over eight months. The figure has dropped to 99 – with 38 in intensive care. New figures show also Ireland has the seventh lowest 14-day incidence rate of Covid in the EU – with Malta being the best. Dr Denis McCauley, from

Temperatures could reach at least 21 degrees tomorrow – in what’s likely to be the warmest weekend of the year so far. Today won’t be quite as sunny, but it’s expected to be at least 16 degrees in all areas. Met Eireann says the dry and warm weather will continue into next week. Alan O’Reilly,

The North’s Infrastructure Minister says rail links to and from the North West will be examined as part of a comprehensive strategy that she is drawing up. Nicola Mallon was responding to questions in the Assembly from Foyle MLA Gary Middleton, who asked if a feasibility study would be carried out into the reopening of