Author name: oisinkelly

Irish farmers are furious over a new free-trade deal with South America. The Mercosur agreement paves the way for imports of cheaper beef from south America across the EU. IFA President Joe Healy says it’s bad news for Ireland, for consumers and for the environment:

The Government is being urged to reduce the cost of public transport as part of their climate action plan. While there are major decarbonisation targets to be met by 2030, it’s understood that there are no current plans to cut the fares for bus and rail services going forward. Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín says public

A new €2.7 million TrailGazers project has been launched in Donegal. The project being led by Donegal County Council will see the county benefit from around €600,000 and will look at new and innovative ways walks and recreational trails can better link with the surrounding local and rural communities to enhance economic and social development. Funded

A 3-day strike by 10, 000 health workers next week has been called off. It follows a preliminary hearing at the Labour Court between union and government officials as part of an ongoing pay dispute. More talks have been scheduled for Wednesday when a full hearing will get underway. Here’s SIPTU’s Paul Bell:

A decision to provide a five day per week respite service at Sea View House in Mountcharles has been described as ‘penny pinching’. The move comes following a recently completed procurement process which saw the contract for the service awarded to the Rehab Care Group. It’s understood that despite the HSE having received tenders from

  A total of 279 HSE staff members have been assaulted in Irish hospitals so far this year. The majority of attacks occurred in the hospitals in the North West Hospital Group, which includes Letterkenny and Sligo University Hospitals. The figures show the majority of attacks were made against nurses and midwives. Legislation which would

  People are being encouraged to participate in a consultation over plans to chance the visitor experience at Ards Forest Park. Plans for the park include improvements to the orientation as well as the development of a cycle trail and enhanced play areas. A public consultation is getting underway in Ards Forest car park tomorrow

  The MICA Action Group say they are fed up waiting and frustrated at yet further delays to the roll out of the Mica redress scheme in Donegal. The scheme was approved by Cabinet last month with the condition that 90% of repair costs would be covered by Government and the worst affected homes are

  The post office in Kilcar is due to close this weekend, unless there is a last minute intervention by An Post. A Dail debate this week saw the government say this was a matter solely for An Post, with no reason for Communications Minister Richard Bruton to become involved. However, that’s been rejected by

All sides involved in the health-workers’ dispute will go to the Labour Court this morning. The HSE and Siptu failed to reach an agreement yesterday in talks with the Workplace Relations Commission. 10-thousand health support staff are involved in a row over pay. A preliminary hearing will take place in the Labour Court this morning

  21 Donegal building contractors have qualified for the Construction Industry Register of Ireland competence in construction quality mark. The CIRI mark has been granted to 850 companies across the country after they met standards which have been approved by government. CIRI Spokesperson Lorraine Hosty says the mark is a guarantee of quality:

The Dail has been told that the closure of Kilcar Post Office at the end of this week is unnecessary, and contrary to the agreement announced last year by An Post and the IPU. A Topical Issues motion was taken by Deputies Pat The Cope Gallagher and Pearse Doherty heard that the community in Kilcar

Donegal businessman Jim Ferry has been jailed for nine weeks by the High Court. Mr Ferry was imprisoned for contempt on what’s believed to have been the 14th time the matter of his illegal dumping at Rossbracken was before Mr Justice Max Barrett. Mr Ferry has failed to adhere to orders, granted to Donegal County

  It’s been claimed that ongoing delays in Social Welfare appeals are leaving many people in the North West waiting months for a decision and consequently out of pocket. While successful applicants will be back dated, it could take up to six months before they are even considered. The issue has led to serious concern