Author name: oisinkelly

The Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council says positive strategic approaches led to a smooth running of Budget Day in Lifford. Councillors voted overwhelmingly in favour of the budget yesterday with 28 for and 2 against. The budget will see no change to commercial rates and a fall in Council expenditure by just over €2.8 million […]

The Health Minister has reaffirmed a commitment given by Minister Joe McHugh that funding would be forthcoming to facilitate the reopening of the Short Stay Ward at Letterkenny University Hospital. Donegal Deputy Charlie McConalogue told Minister Simon Harris in the Dail that the hospital and the reopening of the 19 bed ward has been gravely

The British government’s signaling that the Brexit deal will be approved at this Sunday’s EU summit. Theresa May is going to return to Brussels for more talks ahead of the main event to try and finalise a deal. She met the European Commission president last night, but says issues still need to be resolved. At

The Old Army Barracks in Lifford could finally get a new lease of life. The historic building has been in Council ownership since 2016 however, to date the building, while maintained, is currently not in use. A new proposal is now up for consideration which would see the Department of employment affairs use a section

Main Evening News, Sport and Obituaries Wednesday November 21st:

Investigations are continuing in Tyrone following a major oil spill into the Drumragh and Strule River. Authorities have confirmed that they have identified the source and stopped the leakage into the river which has already caused significant contamination and pollution of the watercourse. West Tyrone MLA Daniel McCrossan says there is much concern as to

Sinn Fein has expressed some concerns surrounding the draft budget. It follows reports that Irish Water staff are to be cut in two municipal districts in the county however the proposed budget does not contain any detail on the matter. Cllr. Marie Therese Gallagher is seeking clarity on the issue before any budget is passed:

Fianna Fail has largely welcomed the proposed Budget for 2019. Discussions are continuing this afternoon in Lifford as members of Donegal County Council consider Budget 2019 with the council set to spend almost €146 million. If adopted, it will represent a fall of just over €2.8 million on the amount spent this year. Fianna Fail

€30,000 in funding has been secured for Amharclann Ghaoth Dobhair. €15,000 has been allocated by Donegal County Council and match funded by Údarás na Gaeltachta. Cathaoirleach of the Glenties Municipal District Councillor John Sheamais Ó Fearraigh says the funding is a huge boost for the theatre and will pave the way for further investment:

Pressure on the relevant Ministers is mounting to ensure funding for iCare and the Bluestack Foundation is secured for 2019 and for future years under a HSE Service Level Agreement. Donegal Senator Padraig MacLochlainn will be raising the issue in the Seanad tomorrow. There was much anger earlier this year when a decision was taken

The British Prime Minister insists the EU made concessions on the backstop measure in the draft Brexit divorce deal. Theresa May is meeting European Commission President Jean Claude Juncker in Brussels later this afternoon to discuss the withdrawal agreement. The Dáil will also debate the document this evening, before EU leaders gather on Sunday to

There were 23 boil notices issued to private water supplies in Donegal last year by the EPA, with 1,607 people affected. The agency’s Report into Private Supplies in 2017 says there were no directions issued, and no audits carried out in the county last year. Nationally, the report finds E.Coli was found in 51 private

An independents auditors report into the tender process for the states rural broadband contract is expected to find that the process has NOT been fatally damaged by the sole remaining bidder and the former communications minister Denis Naughten. The report, by auditor Peter Smyth, has been delivered to government and is expected to be published

A delegation of Sinn Fein representatives from the North West travelled to Dublin yesterday to meet with officials from the Irish Government to express the need for urgent action on a number of vital projects for the region. The delivery of the Strategic Growth Deal which includes a City Deal and financial assistance from the

A Donegal Deputy has told the Dail that the people of rural Ireland have been conned by the Government. Speaking in the Dail last evening during topical issues on the closure of Post Offices in Donegal and Tipperary, Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher told Minister Sean Canney that the protocol from An Post accepted by

Main Evening News, Sport and Obituaries Tuesday November 20th:

Residents in South Inishowen are being advised to expect disruptions to their water supply this evening. Irish Water in partnership with Donegal County Council will be carrying out repairs on a large leak on the Pollen Dam supply line from 6pm this evening. The utility is advising householders that water pressure will drop away in

The Minister for Agriculture is being urged to ensure that all GLAS payments are made to farmers before Christmas. New information released to Fianna Fáil has revealed that almost 13% of farmers across the North West are still waiting for their balancing payment to be made. The figure is highest in Donegal, where almost 20%

There are further calls for tour guides to be established at An Grianan of Aileach and other historic sites in the county. The iconic landmark, situated in Burt has seen a huge increase in visitor numbers in recent years while it also featured heavily on coverage of the Irish Open in July. Despite numerous calls

  People in Donegal are being reminded that they only have a few days left to get on the electoral register with thousands of residents in the county still deemed unable to vote. The deadline for registration with Donegal County Council is this Friday. Cllr. Paul Canning says the process now is very straight forward

  A Donegal Deputy is calling on the Minister for Disabilities to ensure funding is delivered for the Cleary Centre and the Bluestack Foundation in Budget 2019. Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher says he has met with Minister Finian McGrath in an effort to secure mainstream funding for the Bluestack Foundation. Its after it missed

  Theresa May is facing a new challenge over Brexit – after the DUP refused to back a finance bill in protest at her deal with Brussels. The party – which props up the British Prime Minister’s government in the Commons – has warned her not to expect “business as usual”. Theresa May will hold