Author name: oisinkelly

A new EU pandemics authority has been welcomed by Midlands North West MEP Colm Markey. The European Health Emergency preparedness and Response Authority will monitor for possible future health dangers around the globe. And if there worst happens again, the authority will co-ordinate the buying up of medical supplies like vaccines to be distributed as

Donegal County Council is to write to the government seeking the establishment of a dedicated task force to address the social impact of Mica in Donegal. The issue was raised by Councillor Albert Doherty, who said its vital that the government initiate, coordinate, fund and promote a North West housing, health and family welfare response

A Donegal Deputy say families affected by Mica are not going away and shouldn’t be forced to come to Dublin to protest tomorrow. It comes as the Housing Minister has described the Mica issue as an absolute tragedy and has committed again to enhance the current redress scheme. In the Dail, Deputy Padraig MacLochlainn called

A Donegal Deputy says to label children as potential criminals is not the way forward as a crime preventative measure. It comes as The National Youth Justice Strategy was debated in the Dail yesterday evening which aims to promote positive behavioural change in children. It also includes a wide range of issues relevant to children

D-Day is on the horizon as a second 100% Mica redress demonstration gets underway in the Capital tomorrow. The demonstration begins at 12 noon at the Garden of Remembrance in Parnell Square with protesters then making their way through the city. PRO of the Mica Action Group, Michael Doherty says it’s critical that people turn

A Status Yellow Weather Warning is in effect for five western coastal counties. Up to 50 millimetres of rain is forecast for parts of Donegal, Galway, Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim over the next 48 hours. A similar alert’s due to take effect in Cork and Kerry from midday, with all warning’s set to expire at

  The Attorney General is looking at ways to penalise quarries which sold defective mica blocks. Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien has said he believes those responsible should play a role in fixing the problem. The Minister hasn’t ruled out a 100 per cent redress scheme, despite a report last week advising against it. Minister O’Brien

  A Donegal Deputy has moved to clarify questions on local property tax forms. It’s after the tax forms were said to be causing some confusion locally. In the forms, Revenue is asking people to use Revenue’s online property valuation tool and to add the band number the online tool generates to their payment form.

  The Government’s being accused of sleepwalking into an energy crisis. The Dail has been debating a People Before Profit motion on the rising cost of electricity, gas and fuel prices. The party says many people won’t be able to heat their homes this Winter as a result. TD Jennifer Whitmore from the Social Democrats

Donegal County Council has adjourned its reconvened July meeting which had been taking place the the Aura Leisure Centre, and will reconvene the meeting online this afternoon, with Cllr Frank McBrearty excluded. It follows heated exchanges during a discussion on whether the council can legally refuse to do business with companies who have supplied blocks

The Housing Minister has reiterated again that nothing is off the table as a revision of the Mica redress scheme continues. Minister Darragh O’Brien has confirmed that the removal of upfront costs, including rent and planning exemptions has been agreed while significant progress is also said to have been made on a guarantee on second

Former Housing Minister Damian English says a 100% Mica Redress Scheme is very close. He says a Government decision on a revised Mica Redress Scheme, and a solution, he believes can be secured which addresses the deficiencies in the current scheme. While admitting the 90/10 scheme was not fit for purpose, Minister English told today’s

An onsite meeting has been held over whats been described as several road traffic issues in the Bogside area. Constant gridlock at peak times is leading to parking issues for residents while air pollution is also said to be worsening. Despite a ‘keep clear’ box being installed in the area two years ago, problems are

Sinn Fein are to table a motion calling on the government to reduce childcare fees by delivering a state childcare system in Budget 2022. The Private Member’s Bill, set to be introduced in the Dáil today (WED), will also provide fair wages for staff and provide a sustainability fund for providers. Fees in Donegal cost

The Central Bank is expecting the domestic economy to grow by over 5% this year – more than previously thought. It’s also revised upwards its projections for GDP growth – which includes multinationals – to over 15%. The unemployment rate is forecast to fall to around 7% next year – with wage growth of around

Hotel and guesthouse operators in Donegal are urging the government to maintain Covid supports for the sector until June of next year, and to make the 9% VAT rate permanent. Paul Diver, the Irish Hotels Federation Donegal Chair says while the past four months have been positive, 2021 as a whole will see occupancy rates

Derry City and Strabane District Council has voted to give its full support to Donegal families affected by Mica. A motion was passed this week, calling on the Council to offer its support to affected homeowners in their fight for 100% redress. Derry City and Strabane District Council is now to write to Housing Minister

The Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau is warning that anyone is only one click, tap or swipe away from being the victim of a cyber crime. There’s been a noted increase in the number of cyber crimes in Ireland since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic. Gardai say there has been a rise also in

The Association to Improve Maternity Services (AIMS) is calling on the Minister for Health to publish the risk assessments underpinning the continuing maternity care restrictions for partners in labour. It says that some units have ensured the continuous support of a nominated birth partner all the way through labour but other units are not compliant

  Met Eireann has issued a weather advisory for wet conditions along western coasts until Saturday morning. The alert is in place for Clare, Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Donegal and Connacht. The forecaster is predicting a band of rain to come in from the Atlantic, which is expected to stall over western counties on Thursday and

Donegal Joint Policing Committee has become the first in Ireland to launch Cyber Awareness Week. As part of the initiative a number of social media campaign adverts have been developed to highlight to children and parents, the dangers of social media. Chair of the Donegal JPC, Councillor Gerry McMonagle says all in society need to