Author name: oisinkelly

Planning is underway for a potential second wave of the Coronavirus this autumn that could coincide with flu season. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said the virus has been effectively suppressed in the community and the current data is positive. A decision on whether or not to move to phase two of the plan to ease

The EU is backing an amendment to the Irish Protocol in the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement, which would see rights guaranteed to Irish workers in Northern Ireland post Brexit extended to all EU citizens. Midlands North West MEP Chris Mc Manus has been one of those backing the amendment, which has been accepted by the EU

The Malin Head Coast Guard has warned of the potential impact a team coming into contact with a casualty with suspected Covid-19 would have on the provision of the service in Donegal. Paul Gill Divisional Controller with Malin Head Coast Guard was speaking today after the Rescue 118 helicopter and Greencastle Coast Guard were tasked

The Education Minister has confirmed that he and his department are working to deliver an alternative July Education Programme for children with needs who have missed out on specialist help because of school closures. Minister McHugh hopes a programme will be available during July and August, permitting public health advice allows. He has committed to

A South Donegal Deputy has hit out over extortionate penalty clauses being imposed by utility providers on businesses forced to close as a result of Covid-19. Energy, telephone and internet providers are charging customers as much as €400 to terminate their contract early. Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe confirmed to Sligo, Leitrim and South Donegal Deputy

Over €84 million of damage could be caused by coastal flooding in Donegal over the next three decades with 2.6% of the county’s homes and businesses at risk. A total of €2 billion euro in damage could be caused by coastal flooding impacting more than 70,000 Irish properties by 2050. The analysis, by data and

The Covid-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on the Donegal Donkey Sanctuary, they fear they are on the brink of a financial crisis. The manager of the sanctuary says there has been a huge increase in the number of animals needing assistance and this, coupled with the prospect of no visitors in the summer

Cross border workers have been ‘left blow in the wind’ by the Government during the pandemic. That’s according to Donegal Deputy Padraig MacLochlainn who claims a clause in the Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment, meaning those working in the Republic of Ireland but living in the North are not eligible, is a defiance of EU regulation.

Schools are due to be issued with detailed guidance on the Leaving Cert’s predictive marking system today. It will set out how teachers will be expected to grade students and the criteria they should use. The Education Minister Joe McHugh says a students’ results won’t be based on any single exam including the mocks. Minister

New checks will be needed on some goods entering Northern Ireland from Britain, as part of the Irish protocol of the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement. The British Government’s unveiled how it will implement the measure, which takes effect on January 1st, regardless of whether a trade deal is struck with the EU. The North will still

  Gardai in Donegal and elsewhere have begun wearing masks this week in situations where they cannot maintain social distancing. The majority of Gardai will be wearing the masks in patrol cars, shops or in someone’s home from now on. But they haven’t been deemed necessary for open air policing, such as foot or bike

  A petition, opposing plans for an asphalt plant in Burnfoot has been launched. Plans have been submitted to Donegal County Council in February for the plant to be developed behind a large quarry at the foot of Scalp Mountain. Some residents in the area have serious health and safety concern regarding the proposals and

  House prices could fall by 5 per cent due to the pandemic, according to a leading expert. It comes after the Construction Industry Federation warned Covid-19 safety measures could add 5 to 10 per cent to the cost of a house While KBC bank says prices could fall by up to 20 per cent.

  The owner of a bus company in Donegal says there is major concern within in the industry as to how public transport will be feasible into the future. A typical coach would normally carry up to 50 passengers from Donegal to Dublin but now under social distancing guidelines, will only be permitted to transport

  The government needs to consider slowly reopening schools, according to a member of the World Health Organisation. There are now over 24,200 confirmed cases of coronavirus here and 1,561 people have died. There are currently 477 confirmed cases in Donegal. Children aren’t expected back at school until September because of the pandemic. But Dr

  There’s been an increase in the littering of disposable gloves and wipes across the county. Donegal County Council says people are discarding their rubbish on the likes of footpaths, in car-parks, at bring banks and along hedges in rural areas. With phase one of easing restrictions now well underway, local Cllr Paul Canning says

  The Data Protection Commissioner’s in discussions with the HSE over its release of workers Covid-19 test results to employers. Yesterday it confirmed the practice had been taking place in ‘exceptional’ circumstances for public health reasons. However, it now says it’s reconsidering the move following criticism – the Chief Medical Officer described it as a

    Ibec has launched a major new campaign to support the North West’s recovery and future growth in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. The Reboot and Reimagine campaign proposes a €15 billion reboot plan for the first 100 days of a new Government and an increase of €25 billion in the lifetime of the

  An Inishowen Cllr says there’s been a big increase in joy riding incidents on the peninsula. Gardai are aware of the issue and are monitoring the routes in question. It’s understood that not all the culprits are from north of the border. Cllr Terry Crossan says the force is under enough pressure with the

    The emergency phase of COVID-19 may be with us for months or years according to the head of the Department of Health. Jim Breslin has said the virus will be an ever-present danger for the foreseeable future. The Dáil’s new COVID-19 committee is holding a series of sessions today. Secretary General of the

  The Foundation Dean of the school of medicine at Magee College in Derry hasn’t ruled out the possibility of medical students coming to Donegal for placement in the years ahead. The Magee Medical School has officially been given the green light with the first intake of 70 students expected in September. The Northern Ireland

The Communications Officer for the North West Greenway project says cycling directly from Inishowen into Derry City Centre would be unheard of – until now. Yesterday it was announced that a planning application has been lodged which would see the construction of a new shared 62-metre long cycle and footbridge between Donegal and Derry. It’s

  A Donegal County Councillor is calling for the powers that be to come up with a creative way in tackling the backlog in driving tests. Tests have been suspended indefinitely since April with over 27,500 learner drivers nationwide now left in limbo. The Transport Minister may further extend the validity period for expired learner

  The Magee Medical School in Derry has officially been given the green light. The Northern Ireland Executive has agreed to establish the graduate entry medical school with the first intake of 70 students expected in September. Foyle MLA Karen Mullan has been welcoming the news. She says, not only will the Medical School positively

  There are calls for a cross-party agreement to end the exclusion of women returning from maternity leave from the Wage Subsidy Scheme. Currently, women returning from maternity leave are excluded on the grounds that, despite being employees, they were not on their employer’s payroll on February 29th. Donegal Deputy Padraig MacLochlainn says the Finance

  The chief medical officer and the HSE chief executive will appear before a special Oireachtas Covid-19 committee later, to answer questions over their handling of the crisis so far. It comes as last night’s Department of Health figures show the lowest daily death toll increase since March 27th. 1,547 people have so far lost

Some churches in Northern Ireland will reopen for private prayer today. Some services will also be allowed, as long as those attending don’t get out of their cars. It’s after the Stormont Assembly relaxed more of the Covid-19 restrictions yesterday. First Minister Arlene Foster says it was important to allow churches reopen.