Author name: oisinkelly

A Donegal TD says there needs to be progress on the setting up of a working group to examine defective housing, saying after announcing the initiative in February, the government has missed all its deadlines. The group was to have been established by the end of April, with an initial report expected in July. However,

Ireland as a country has the fifth lowest incidence rate of Covid-19 in the EU. Only Finland, Malta, Portugal and Norway had lower rates over the past two weeks. The new data has been compiled by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.

A Midlands North West MEP says small farmers are in line for increased payments under the new Common Agricultural Policy. EU countries are negotiating the new CAP budget, which will take effect in 2023. The Irish Farmers Journal says over 54,000 farmers with high entitlements face a ‘wipeout’ of their direct payments. But Midlands Northwest

The Chief Medical Officer says it’s time for people to be hopeful and to start planning for the summer. Dr Tony Holohan says he wants next week to be a ‘significant turning point’ in the pandemic, as restrictions ease. It comes as 393 new cases of Covid-19 and eight deaths were reported yesterday, 26 of

The National Museum of Ireland is urging people in Donegal with memories of boats and boat building in their community to submit their stories to an online archive of Irish heritage. As part of the Bealtaine Festival, the museum is collecting memories to accompany a new exhibition at the NMI – Country Life facility in

The HSE has asked the government for flexibility to use the Johnson and Johnson Covid vaccine in people aged under 50. It’s currently being used in those over 50 after advice from the National Immunisation Advisory Committee. The HSE has submitted an updated rollout plan to the Department of Health for how doses should be

Donegal Deputy Thomas Pringle has moved a bill in the Dail today, calling for a referendum on lowering the voting age to 16. The Bill if passed would allow the amending of Article 16 of the Constitution to reduce the age eligibility of people to vote from 18 to 16. A report on the Convention

People are being urged to avail of the walk-in Covid test centre at Milford Mart. The centre was established as part of an enhanced response by the HSE to Covid-19 in Donegal but so far there has been a slow uptake of the testing centre. Anyone who is asymptomatic but thinks they may have been

The Deputy Chief Medical Officer has today been praising the efforts of people in Donegal in driving down the rate of Covid-19 in the community. There was a huge backlash after the Chief Medical Officer of Friday said non-compliance to public health guidelines in Donegal was resulting in dangerously high levels of the virus in

The Housing Minister has heard how Mica affected homeowners in Donegal feel let down with the current redress scheme. Concerns have once again be relayed in the Dail over the 10% contribution cost of the scheme that homeowners are being asked to pay which for some is running into hundreds of thousands of euro. Donegal

Comments from the Chief Medical Officer are still having a knock-on effect on businesses in Donegal. There was widespread anger among the business community in the county after Dr Tony Holohan said Covid-19 was circulating at dangerously high levels in Donegal which he says was down to non compliance of public health guidelines. The CEO

Further concern has been raised over the future of St Conal’s Hospital Day Centre in Letterkenny. It’s emerged that a man who was attending the centre for over 20 years has recently received correspondence stating that he was no longer under the care of the mental health team and the vital support he was receiving

British soldiers who served in Northern Ireland during the Troubles are to be exempt from prosecution. Reports in the UK media suggest it is to be announced by Queen Elizabeth in a speech next week. It’s believed new legislation would create a statute of limitations on any alleged offences committed before the signing of the

Donegal Deputy Thomas Pringle is bringing a bill before the Dail today, calling for a referendum on lowering the voting age to 16. The Bill if passed would allow the amending of Article 16 of the Constitution to reduce the age eligibility of people to vote from 18 to 16. A report on the Convention

The number of Covid-19 patients in public hospitals is at the lowest level in over seven months. It dropped to 122 last night, and it hasn’t been any lower since October 2nd. 37 Covid patients were in intensive care yesterday, the lowest this year. At Letterkenny University Hospital, the number of infectious cases remains static

The Taoiseach insists the country remains ‘on track’ for the widespread easing of restrictions in the coming weeks. Nationwide travel will be allowed from next Monday, while all retail outlets can fully reopen seven days later. Micheál Martin also told his parliamentary party last night he wants to restore international travel as soon as it’s

A Donegal TD says following confirmation that the breakwater at Greencastle Harbour is to be completed, more investment will be needed to ensure the full potential of the area is realised. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn, Sinn Féin’s Spokesperson on Fisheries and the Marine has praised the Greencastle Harbour Users Group and the local community for

At an online media briefing this afternoon, the Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Ronan Glynn pointed out that yesterday, there were over 200 referrals by GPs of people for testing, a rise on previous days. He said that may be a factor of the bank holiday, and also an indication that more people are coming