Author name: oisinkelly

West Tyrone MLA Daniel McCrossan has denied that a motion to recall the assembly today to discuss School safety in light of Covid 19 was politically motivated because Education Minister Michelle McIlveen is a DUP representative. Mr McCrossan, the SDLP’s Education Spokesperson, was speaking in the Assembly this afternoon. He told the assembly he wrote

DUP threats to withdraw ministers from Stormont have been paused. The party is to meet with Britain’s Foreign Secretary Liz Truss – who’s now fronting negotiations for the UK following the resignation of David Frost. She’s threatened to Trigger Article 16 if a deal can’t be reached on the Northern Ireland protocol. But First Minister

Almost 1,100 staff at An Post are absent due to Covid. The company says it has been a challenging time since Christmas and the situation is continuing this week. Head of Corporate Communication at An Post, Anna Mc Hugh, says despite the challenges just four post offices across the country are closed as a result:

A Donegal Deputy has hit out at Government for what he claims is the failure to protect businesses and allowing taxpayers to subsidise the insurance industry. Last year, Minister of State at the Department of Finance Sean Fleming warned that insurance companies who deducted state supports paid to businesses from valid claims under their policy

Concerns have been raised yet again over sheep worrying. Annually during lambing season, farmers fear for the safety of their flock. Councillor Michael McClafferty says there’s heightened alarm however, over dogs straying from owners while out walking. He is appealing to dog owners to be responsible:

A Letterkenny Councillor has called upon Donegal County Council to draw up a comprehensive timeframe plan to tackle the housing demands in Letterkenny as a result of the Mica crisis. Councillor Gerry McMonagle will be bringing the motion before tomorrow’s sitting of the Letterkenny Milford Municipal District. He’s urging the local authority to look outside

NPHET’s set to consider whether mandatory vaccination should be introduced. The Irish Times reports it’ll look at the measure after it receives details from the Department of Health on legal and ethical aspects of such a move. Ireland has one of the highest vaccination rates in Europe, with almost four million people vaccinated and more

Health and safety concerns have been raised over boardwalks in Donegal. Councillor Michael Cholm Mac Giolla Easbuig is calling for safety audits to be carried out on boardwalks across the county. He claims the wooden structure on some boardwalks has deteriorated in recent times. Cllr MacGiolla Easbuig says urgent checks are required on a county-wide

It’s reported the government has agreed to administer new Covid-19 antiviral pills here before they’re officially approved by European regulators. The Sunday Independent reports the cabinet has agreed to forgo the need for clearance from the European Medicines Agency to use new the new antiviral treatment from Pfizer, GSK and MSD. However, the Health Minister

A local councillor is welcoming the go-ahead for an airline to operate flights between Donegal and Dublin Airport. Emerald Airlines has been awarded the contract to run the PSO air service from the county from February 26th. Donegal Municipal District Councillor Tom Conaghan says the flights are important, given the lack of transport options in

As demand for PCR tests continues, the HSE this week estimated that up to 150,000 Covid-19 infections may have escaped official confirmation. From last week, symptomatic people aged between 4 and 39 were advised to contact the HSE and request for antigen tests to be sent out to them. CEO of the HSE, Paul Reid

The Education Minister says teachers should open windows “at a lower level” if their classrooms are cold. Ventilation requirements for pandemic safety have seen some classroom temperatures dip below seven degrees Celsius this week, due to open windows and a lack of HEPA-like air filtering. Health and safety rules require teaching to be suspended if

Online registration for Covid-19 vaccination for all children aged five to eleven is now open. Parents and guardians can register their children through the HSE’s website. The Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan is encouraging parents to engage with the trusted medical advice from the health service before making their decision. Dr Lucy Jessop, Director

Angling clubs in Donegal are being encouraged to apply for sponsorship funding. Inland Fisheries Ireland is reminding people that the deadline for its 2022 sponsorship programme on January 21st. This year’s €30,000 fund will have a particular focus on initiatives aimed at beginners and young anglers, as well as events that promote sustainable angling tourism.