McConalogue keeps an eye on Brexit with UK counterpart


BILATERAL trade between Ireland and the UK is worth about €2.4 billion a week, and Donegal Minister Charlie McConalogue has met his UK counterpart to ensure that Brexit issues don’t jeopardise the status quo. British Secretary of State Steve Barclay is responsible for border controls applying to agri food goods imported to the UK from […]


McConalogue happy with commitment of Fisheries Commissioner at Bruges talks


The commitment by Fisheries Commissioner, Virginijus Sinkevičius, to undertake a full evaluation of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) at today’s informal meeting of fisheries ministers in Belgium has been welcomed by Donegal minister, Charlie McConalogue.  Speaking in Bruges, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine said Brexit has been the most significant and ongoing […]


Sheep Sector Crisis Deepening, Urgent Action Needed – IFA


IFA Sheep Chairman Kevin Comiskey said the crisis in the sheep sector is deepening as prices continue well below last year’s levels. He said prices this year are still 70c/kg behind last year with input costs on sheep farms showing no signs of reducing. “Last year’s margins of just €7/ewe as presented by Teagasc at […]


Fishermen demand immediate access to approved Brexit fund


A European fund established to compensate Irish fishermen adversely impacted by the permanent loss of quota due to Brexit, has yet to be distributed to the most affected sector some 17 months after it was first recommended. Killybegs Fishermen’s Organisation (KFO) Chief Executive, Seán O’Donoghue said his members are extremely frustrated at the inordinate and […]


‘It’s not champagne we’re selling here’


A Donegal businessman has expressed his dismay after been hit with high post-Brexit charges on goods bound for Glasgow. Since the start of the year consumers have been asked to pay up to one-third extra in customs duties, VAT and additional delivery charges once they arrive in the UK. “It’s unsustainable and the price will […]


Threat emerges for Donegal’s crabbing industry


THE Donegal crabbing fishing industry faces potential destruction due to new regulations from Europe which came into effect following Brexit. The warning was sounded this week after it emerged that 37 crabbing vessels around the Donegal coast can no longer land their catch at their local piers because they have British fishing licences. Some of […]


Expect ‘some turbulence’ as Brexit Day finally arrives


BUSINESSES in Donegal can expect some ‘turbulence’ as Brexit arrangements come into effect. New customs and regulatory controls apply from today. Conall Dunne, who runs his Chartered Accountancy practice in Letterkenny, has been busy helping businesses and individuals to prepare for the new procedures. Three months ago he set up a company, Easy Customs, which […]


KFO warns of port blockades and widespread chaos


The Chief Executive of the Killybegs Fishermen’s Organisation has issued a stark warning that failure to achieve an orderly Brexit will precipitate “chaos and conflict at sea” with port blockades across Europe being a very real prospect. Seán O’Donoghue also stated that should Irish and other EU fleets be denied access to UK waters after […]


Firefighters want Brexit plan


THE DONEGAL Firefighters’ Association have spoken out about major concerns they have about cross border fire services after Brexit claiming Donegal County Council has no plan in place. Speaking to the Donegal News, Chairperson Stephen McFadden, said the Council has a “let’s see what happens” approach when it comes to planning for Brexit in terms […]


Prepare for the worst while hoping for the best


THE possibility of the UK crashing out of the EU without a ‘deal’ increased significantly last week when the agreement reached between the UK and the EU was overwhelmingly rejected by the British parliament. If a ‘no deal’ exit does happen then motorists driving a Republic of Ireland (ROI) registered vehicle to Northern Ireland (NI) […]