Author name: oisinkelly

Scoil Íosagáin has moved a step closer to completing their major school project. It’s been announced today that the project is now progressing to Stage 3 Tender Stage. Donegal Deputy Joe McHugh says the news is greatly welcomed for the school which he says has been on a long journey to get the project over

A number of Councillors have raised concern over proposed variations to the County Development Plan. The plan was before Donegal County Council this afternoon for approval. It aims to ensure alignment with the National Planning Framework and the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy. Speaking in the Council Chamber, Cllr Patrick McGowan says while he supports

  A Donegal Pharmacist says ‘identity politics’ need to be put to one side with both Governments north and south working as one until the Covid crisis is over. There are ongoing calls for both the North and Republic to adopt a so-called zero Covid strategy, which would aim to eliminate domestic travel, similar to

  A Donegal Deputy is claiming that there’s been no communication from the Irish Government with their Northern Ireland and UK counterparts over a Zero Covid strategy. It would mean a ban non-essential travel into Ireland and implementing a mandatory 14-day quarantine period for those who must travel here. It’s thought that the strategy would

  Concerns have been raised by residents in Ard O’Donnell, Letterkenny over reports that some investors are buying properties in the area and changing them into apartments. During a recent Letterkenny/Milford Municipal District meeting, Councillor Kevin Bradley highlighted that the council should ensure proper planning is in place for street parking. It’s understood that residents

  Discussions on reopening class for children with additional education needs will continue this week – however a full return of schools is not expected until around St Patrick’s Day. The Taoiseach said over the weekend the Government is planning for a phased re-opening due to the high rates of Covid-19 transmission in the community.

  The Cabinet sub-Committee on Covid-19 will meet today to discuss extending Level 5 Covid-19 restrictions into next month. They will also look at proposals around travel, including five day quarantine for people who arrive into the country without a negative PCR test. It comes as 1,378 more people have tested positive for the virus,

  There are further calls to revisit a previous proposal to install a footbridge from Letterkenny Retail Park to Leck Graveyard. It’s expected the plan for a relief road scheme will not be finalised for some time for the Leck Road with Cllr Gerry McMonagle suggesting a footbridge be considered again. Speaking in the Council

The Mayor of the Letterkenny/ Milford Municipal District is calling for the Winter Maintenance Programme to be updated. Councillor Donal Coyle, has called for a workshop to be held in order to highlight additional routes that he believes should be added to the gritting programme. Speaking in the Council Chamber he says as a recently

Northern Ireland’s First Minister says she can argue for a United Kingdom “every day of the week”. It’s after a survey found more than half of voters in the North want a referendum on a united Ireland in the next five years. The research, commissioned by the Sunday Times, shows 47 percent want to remain

The Minister for European Affairs says it’s too early to say if Ireland will be able to meet its vaccination targets by the end of March. It’s after AstraZeneca said deliveries of its soon-to-be-approved jab will be 60 percent less than planned in the next two months due to a production glitch. The President of

Motorists are being urged to take care on the roads throughout the day due to snow and ice. The conditions, currently affecting much of the north and north-west, will to impact the entire country later. A nationwide Status Yellow alert takes effect from 6pm and remain until midday tomorrow, with falls of hail, sleet and

People travelling into Ireland could be held in quarantine for at least five days if they don’t present a negative Covid-19 test upon arrival. The Taoiseach has told the Irish Independent that hotels, including Citywest in Dublin, could be used as quarantine centres. The new restriction’s expected to be announced next week, along with a

The Taoiseach has said the government’s priority is getting children with special educational needs back to school. Micheál Martin has refused to be drawn on whether he thinks a full reopening of schools can happen as planned on February 1st. Level five restrictions will be extended until likely the end of February and reviewed every

Property values in Donegal are up 9%. Nationally, property values rose by 3% across Ireland over the last year, despite the effect of the pandemic. That’s according to the Irish Independent’s “How much is your house worth” report, which surveyed estate agents in every part of the country. Mark Keenan, the newspaper’s property editor, says

Donegal Deputy Thomas Pringle says unless there is political will, a fisheries task force won’t help to fight for the Irish fishing industry. Minister Charlie McConalogue has announced that a task force will be set up to address issues within the fishing industry. Speaking at this week’s Oireachtas Committee on Brexit and it’s impact on

Plans are in motion to upgrade the Sweet Factory play area and lighting in the Bernard McGlinchey Town Park. Local Councillor Jimmy Kavanagh raised concerns in the Council Chamber this week that the park has been left without a play area after it was closed for safety reasons. Donegal County Council has confirmed that tenders

A Midlands North West MEP says the Western Rail Corridor should be a priority as the EU revises its transport funding programme. MEPs debated the Trans-European Transport Network this week. Chris MacManus says projects included in the plan receive 85 per cent of EU funding, meaning the cost for the Irish Government would be small.

The Agriculture Minister will establish a taskforce to address issues in the fisheries industry. Fishing organisations say Ireland got a bad deal following Brexit, claiming there is no fairness from Europe. Fishing organisations say the issues they’re facing regarding reduced quotas and income needs to be dealt with now. Sean O’Donoghue from Killybegs Fisherman’s Organisation:

  A Donegal Deputy believes that both the Education Minister and Minister of State for Special Education should resign. Children with special needs were supposed to return to school on Thursday, but this was delayed as the Department and unions couldn’t reach an agreement. Education Minister Norma Foley is to brief the cabinet on the

A Stranorlar GP says while the level of Covid-19 in the community is improving, it’s dropping from an exceptionally high rate. Dr. Denis McCauley says the tide of the significant third wave has peaked; but its impact is still very prevalent in Letterkenny University Hospital and in other healthcare settings. Dr McCauley, who’s also chair

    Northern Ireland’s First Minister has defended the extension of its fourth lockdown saying the war against Covid-19 isn’t won. The restrictions which were imposed on St Stephen’s Day will now run until at least March 5th. A review of the measures will take place on February 18th. Arlene Foster says people in the

  The Transport Minister says the open border with Northern Ireland is the main reason the Government will not consider mandatory quarantine for people arriving into the country. It comes as the European Union says Non-essential domestic and international travel should be “strongly discouraged”. It is proposing a more coordinated approach to travel restrictions across

  Donegal Deputy Pearse Doherty has relayed concerns to the Education Minister over the impact the decision not to reopen schools and special education settings is having on those affected in Donegal. He has also criticised the Government’s lack of contingency planning and over what he claims as a lack of engagement with concerns raised