Author name: oisinkelly

A Donegal TD is urging the government to implement a proper stimulus package for regional airports in line with the recommendations of the Taskforce for Aviation Recovery. Deputy Thomas Pringle was speaking during a Dail debate on the level of support for regional airports. Deputy Pringle pointed out that Donegal is highly dependant on the

In Northern Ireland, Stormont ministers remain in deadlock over whether the current circuit breaker measures should be eased from Friday. In a meeting this afternoon, the DUP Economy Minister, Diane Dodds, proposed the hospitality sector should partially reopen – but the majority of the executive voted against that plan. In a bid to end the

Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney says it wouldn’t shock him if Brexit talks fell apart, he still believes they can succeed. Intensive discussions are continuing in London in a bid to secure a trade deal between Britain and the EU in time for the end of the transition period on January 1st. Key stumbling blocks

The Chairman of Donegal International Airport has told the Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications Networks that a five year plan for the facility’s development will be crucial in recovering from the impact of Covid-19. Steve O’Culain said getting back to pre-Covid numbers will be a challenge………… Meanwhile, it’s been confirmed that it’s unlikely that

  The Green Party Leader is being urged to take decisive action to tackle the massive driving test backlog. It comes as recent figures show that there are over 1,800 Donegal people on the waiting list. Almost 700 people are waiting in Letterkenny, while there are over 360 waiting for a test in Donegal Town.

  The family solicitor of a woman who died at following what’s been described as a failure to properly diagnose and treat a blood clot at Letterkenny University Hospital has said that the HSE urgently need support teams to ensure that this never happens again. The High Court was told yesterday that 54 year old

  A travel expert says we’re a long way off air travel as we used to know it, despite the introduction of the EU traffic light system. It will come into effect on November 29th and will mean people won’t have to self isolate once they pass a covid test, five days after their arrival.

  There’s some confusion over proposed traffic calming measures for Manorcunningham. Residents have long campaigned for the safety measures to be installed on Main Street, including a pedestrian crossing and ramps. However Donegal County Council says that current plans only include a pedestrian crossing. An on-site meeting between engineers, local representatives and members of the

  There’s big concern that planned upgrade works to the road and improved facilities at Murder Hole Beach won’t be finished ahead of the 2021 tourism season. The road leading to the hugely popular attraction is said to be too narrow while there’s also no parking, with scenes of gridlock along route numerous times over

  The country’s 14-day incidence rate is estimated to be half of its peak on October 25th. It is now 151 – down from 309 after 270 new cases of the virus were reported yesterday – 21 of them in Donegal, as well as 16 additional deaths. Donegal, Limerick and Meath have the highest rates

  Stormont ministers have again failed to agree new Covid-19 restrictions for Northern Ireland. It was the second night in a row the Executive broke up without agreement and will meet later this afternoon. The current four-week lockdown ends at midnight tomorrow. Former UUP Leader Mike Nesbitt criticised the approach of the DUP and Sinn

  Representatives from Donegal International Airport will appear before the Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications Networks this morning, along with colleagues from Ireland West Airport and Kerry Airport. Committee Chair Deputy Kieran O’Donnell says in light of the adoption of the EU traffic light system and the desire of the diaspora to return home

The government has approved 48 million euro in additional funding to support the aviation sector. 22 million in operational and capital funding for Cork and Shannon airports has been approved on top of Budget 2021 commitments. While there will be a further 6 million for Knock, Kerry and Donegal under the Regional Airports Programme. A

The North’s First Minister says she hopes a consensus can be reached today on whether Covid-19 restrictions there can be relaxed. The current measures, which have been in place for four weeks, are due to expire on Thursday night. The Stormont executive met yesterday but failed to agree whether pubs, restaurants and other hospitality businesses

  There’s a call for better lighting to be installed in the Bernard McGlinchey Park to improve safety. This year more than ever, the park has become a vital amenity to the community of Letterkenny however there’s concern over current lighting as the evenings grow darker. While there are lights installed along the various routes

  A leading doctor in the North has issued a stark warning against lifting Covid-19 restrictions there later this week. Talks are resuming this morning at Stormont on whether Northern Ireland’s restrictions should be extended for two weeks after talks last night failed to reach an agreement. A four-week circuit breaker lockdown is due to

  The Chief Medical Officer says there’s “nothing inevitable” about a third wave of Covid-19 after Christmas. New guidelines on how people can socialise over the festive season, while keeping the virus at low levels, are being drawn up by NPHET. A further 270 cases of the virus were confirmed last night, 20 of them

  The Tánaiste is expected to survive a motion of no confidence in the Dáil this evening. Sinn Féin have tabled the motion over the leaking of a confidential GP contract by Leo Varadkar. Last week he apologised in the Dáil for his actions, saying they were not best practice, but denied they were criminal

  The Stormont Executive has failed to reach agreement on a potential extension of Covid-19 restrictions in Northern Ireland. Talks are to resume discussions this morning after they ended last night without a breakthrough. A four-week circuit-break lockdown that’s forced the closure of much of the hospitality sector is due to end at midnight on

  The Department of Education will tell TD’s and Senators later that it’s ‘determined’ to see the conventional Leaving Cert exams go ahead in 2021. Assistant Secretary General, Dalton Tattan, will go before the Education Committee to discuss the plan and give updates on the calculated grades process. It comes as the postponed Leaving Cert

  Irish Water has begun replacing approximately 350 metres of old water mains in Bunnamayne, Bridgend. The pipes, which were prone to frequent bursts and leakage, are being replaced with new high density plastic pipes. The work has been welcomed by Cllr Jack Murray, who says this is very necessary work for the people of