TDs, GPs, consultants and health leaders across Sligo, Leitrim, West Cavan and South Donegal are being urged to step up and make their voices heard in support of locating the new Regional Surgical Hub in Sligo.

A major campaign is underway in Donegal for the hub to be located in Letterkenny, despite a HSE business case being made for Sligo.

The latest from the Health Minister is that no decision has yet been made.

Fianna Fail Cllr Edel McSharry says there's been a deafening silence in Sligo from all concerned on the issue so far and that has to change as a matter of urgency:

There are renewed calls to prioritise CCTV in areas affected by anti-social behaviour in County Sligo.

There's said to be a number of towns and village in need of the equipment due to issues with crime and illegal dumping.

It comes the Joint Policing Committee is set to be replaced by the Sligo County Local Community Safety Partnership this year.

These new partnerships will bring together the Gardaí, the Council, the HSE, community groups, and local residents.

Local Fine Gael Cllr Dara Mulvey believes that providing reassurance to communities needs to be top of the agenda:

The Minister of Health will provide a long-term plan for the health service in Donegal at the end of the month.

The latest revelation comes as both the Minister and several local Government TDs have been urged to provide clarity on the controversy.

While yesterday, the Chief Executive of the HSE admitted that Donegal needs more capacity.

Bernard Gloster attended an Oireachtas Committee meeting on Wednesday where he faced questions from both TDs and Senators over the health service.

Donegal Senator Manus Boyle has full confidence in Minister Carroll McNeill to deliver for the people of Donegal:

A Junior Transport Minister says work is ongoing to decide which rail projects should be prioritised.

The All-Island Strategic Rail Review was published last summer, and includes plans for the Western Rail Corridor, as well as a service to Donegal and Navan.

Irish Rail says it is working on an investment plan for the project over the next 10 years.

Minister Sean Canney told the Dáil, public transport needs to be delivered:

The Government is being urged to row back on a decision to stall funding for over 60 social homes in Sligo.

It emerged in recent weeks that the delivery of a planned 63-unit social housing scheme in Finisklin has been put on hold after the Department of Housing decided not to proceed over concerns about the cost of the project.

It was one of six schemes nationwide, comprising 486 social housing units in total that was due to be delivered under a public private partnership.

The Housing Minister has paused the projects due to concerns surrounding costs.

But Sinn Fein Cllr Arthur Gibbons thinks they need to get on with it:

The youth wings of both Government parties have come out against the return to full student fees.

It was confirmed over the weekend the 1,000 euro cut, which has been present for three years, will be ended.

Ógra Fianna Fáil says the decision stands in direct opposition to the group's objectives and called for it to be kept.

International officer with Ogra Fianna Fail and Sligo native Padraig Cawley says they are reaffirming their position to push for a full abolition of student fees:

Frustration has been expressed locally over the government’s approach to Marine Protected Areas.

The legislation aims to protect, conserve and restore biodiversity in marine ecosystems by designating 30% of Ireland's by 2030.

In recent days, a bottlenose dolphin, affectionately known as ‘Bawn’, has chosen to raise her young calf inshore, right along the north west coast.

While the development could be seen as a heartwarming local wildlife story, one local eco-tourism operator has raised concern over the future of marine conservation locally.

Skipper of the Kiwi girl, Declan Kilgannon says if not implemented sooner, there could be severe knock-on effects:

There are calls for the location all registered defibrillators to be provided on Google Maps.

The lifesaving equipment is now available in the majority of towns and villages across the North West but can sometimes be stored in a place that may be unfamiliar with tourists or those visiting a particular area.

Given how commonly used the app is for navigation and location-based services, Fine Gael Senator Manus Boyle believes that both the HSE and Google should work together in a bid to enhance the service.

He says knowing where the equipment is located in a community could literally be the difference between life and death:

Further questions have been asked over whether Junior Minister Marian Harkin has been approached for clarity over the surgical hub controversy.

Minister Harkin has claimed that a promise for the hub to be situated in Sligo was made as part of Government formation talks.

The issue was raised in the Dail inside the last few minutes by Sinn Fein TDs Pearse Doherty and Padraig MacLochlainn who pushed for an answer over whether or not a ‘secret deal’ was done:

Neither the Health Minister nor Fianna Fail TD Pat the Cope Gallagher were present in the Dail as had been expected.

Minister for State Michael Moynihan stepped in for the Health Minister instead who reiterated that no decision has been made:

Tributes are being paid to Sister Magdalene Moore, who has sadly passed away.

Sister Moore, who was based in the Convent of Mercy in Ardeskin in Donegal Town, was instrumental the Solace Cancer Support Centre and was well-known among the local community for her charity work and helping others.

Her Funeral takes place St. Patricks Church in Donegal Town on Thursday.

Mayor of Donegal Town, Anna Gallagher who was a personal friend says Sister Magdalene had a huge impact during her lifetime and was a beacon on light for the local community: