Francess McDonnell

Francess McDonnell Profile Picture

Francess McDonnell is an award-winning journalist and producer with significant experience in covering agriculture, agri-business and business issues. She has worked with the Irish Times, Sunday Times Ireland, Sky News Ireland, BBC Northern Ireland and the Belfast Telegraph and Irish News. Her family has farmed for generations and is part of a rural, lough-shore community where her interest in farming, agri-business and rural issues first began. She is a graduate of De Montfort University, Leicester and the School of Journalism, Cardiff University.

Negotiations ongoing to secure ‘forgotten farmers’ scheme – McConalogue
Negotiations ongoing to secure ‘forgotten farmers’ scheme – McConalogue

A long-awaited scheme to support the ‘forgotten farmers’ is set to be unveiled by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and...

Supporting young farmers financially is a key priority – McConalogue
Supporting young farmers financially is a key priority – McConalogue

Supporting young farmers financially through “targeted and taxation supports” is a key priority, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the...

IFA to meet Minister for Justice on illegal hunting
IFA to meet Minister for Justice on illegal hunting

Representatives from the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) are scheduled to meet with the Minister for Justice early next week to...

Young farmers need access to ‘land and loans’ – Macra
Young farmers need access to ‘land and loans’ – Macra

Young farmers need access to a “land and loans” guarantee scheme to give them a foothold in agriculture, a rural...

No new employment permits for dairy farm assistants: DETE
No new employment permits for dairy farm assistants: DETE

The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE) has confirmed that it is currently not accepting any new employment permit applications...

GHG emissions fell in 2020 because of slump in air travel
GHG emissions fell in 2020 because of slump in air travel

Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions fell in general in Ireland in 2020 because of the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on air...

Fines for speeding to double to €160 from midnight
Fines for speeding to double to €160 from midnight

Fines are set to double for 16 road offences from midnight tonight (Wednesday, October 26) and will include a €120...

ICMSA not in agreement with Food Vision Dairy Group final report
ICMSA not in agreement with Food Vision Dairy Group final report

Irish farmers will “not be made fools” of by the government when it comes to proposals to reduce agricultural emissions,...

Food Vision Dairy Group proposals rejected by Macra
Food Vision Dairy Group proposals rejected by Macra

Proposals outlined in the Food Vision Dairy Group’s final report which details an exit or reduction scheme from the dairy...

Sunak pledges to embrace Brexit opportunities as PM
Sunak pledges to embrace Brexit opportunities as PM

Rishi Sunak has been confirmed as the new UK prime minister and has pledged to embrace the “opportunities of Brexit”...

Lack of clarity surrounds new solar PV scheme warns MREF
Lack of clarity surrounds new solar PV scheme warns MREF

There is frustration and confusion about restrictions built into a new scheme to encourage farmers to invest in solar photovoltaic...

Pro-Brexit Rishi Sunak confirmed as next UK PM
Pro-Brexit Rishi Sunak confirmed as next UK PM

The Taoiseach Micheál Martin has congratulated Rishi Sunak on winning the internal Conservative Party race to become the next prime...

New research shows people support planting more trees to fight climate change
New research shows people support planting more trees to fight climate change

There is an “almost universal view” among Irish people that forests are important in helping to fight the climate crisis,...

Concerns over Food Vision Dairy Group final report
Concerns over Food Vision Dairy Group final report

The final report from the Food Vision Dairy Group, which is expected to be delivered imminently to the Minister for...

Concrete prices jump 25% in 12 months to Sept – CSO
Concrete prices jump 25% in 12 months to Sept – CSO

Wholesale prices for concrete products including precast concrete jumped by 25.1% in the 12 months to September, according to latest...

Timber prices impacted by war in Ukraine according to industry survey
Timber prices impacted by war in Ukraine according to industry survey

Economic uncertainty due to the war in Ukraine and a decline in consumer confidence is impacting on timber prices in...

Tirlán continues to ‘review’ procedures with third party mailing provider
Tirlán continues to ‘review’ procedures with third party mailing provider

Tirlán has confirmed it is continuing to work with its “current” third-party printing and mailing provider following a data breach....

Raw sewage flowing into seas and rivers every day – EPA
Raw sewage flowing into seas and rivers every day – EPA

Clonakilty, Kinsale and Ballymote are among 32 towns and villages that discharge raw sewage into seas and rivers every day...