Urgent clarity is being sought of the timeline for a surgical hub to be located in Sligo.

As it stands, the Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeil stated that no final decision has been reached on the hub.

It had originally been expected for Sligo, but there has since been an argument made that Letterkenny should be the preferred choice.

Sligo Labour Senator Nessa Cosgrove says there's too much confusion on the situation which doesn't help anyone:

99 point 8 per cent of public drinking water samples tested last year were compliant with EPA standards.

A report from the environmental agency found the number of "at risk" supplies and long-term boil water notices both fell last year.

It says almost all public water supplies are classified as safe to drink, while good progress has been made in the area of disinfection.

Noel Byrne from the EPA says there are still some areas that need to be addressed:

Minister Jack Chambers says the health minister, Jennifer Carroll McNeill continues to engage with all those involved:

A Government, Donegal TD has clashed with the Ceann Comhairle on the floor of the Dáil.

Fianna Fáil’s Pat “The Cope” Gallagher raised the issue of the proposed plans for surgical hub for Sligo and the lack there-of for one in Letterkenny.

Just last week, Minister Marian Harkin confirmed that the decision to site the surgical hub in Sligo formed part of her negotiations during the Programme for Government.

A meeting between Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll McNeil and a delegation of Consultants and General Practitioners from county Donegal is due to take place this evening.

While seeking clarity on the matter in the Dáil, Deputy Gallagher exceeded his speaking time, much to the irk of Verona Murphy:

The Government Chief Whip has failed to clarify to whether there a political deal was made to put the proposed surgical hub in Sligo.

It follows revelations made by Junior Minister Marian Harkin in recent days that a promise for the hub to be situated in Sligo was made as part of Government formation talks.

In the Dail inside the last few minutes, Donegal Sinn Fein TD Padraig MacLochlainn asked for urgent clarity on the matter from Government Chief Whip and Minister of State at the Department of Health Mary Butler.

Responding, Minister Butler says it's not a matter for the order of business but was open to having health statements on the issue:

Concern has been raised in the North West following the latest tourism figures from the CSO.

Tourism numbers in May were down 10 per cent on the previous year - while the amount spent by those visitors dropped by 21 per cent.

There are ongoing calls for the VAT rate to be cut to 9% for the hospitality sector as the tourism season is well and truly underway.

Independent Manorhamilton Cllr James Gilmartin says visitors can often be the lifeblood to rural communities:

Some long awaited safety measures on the N17 will not happen in the near future.

A number of pedestrian crossings are said to be progressing in various villages along the route but key areas like Ballinacarrow and Achonry have been shelved for the time being.

It's all said to be down to a lack of funding.

Cllr Michael Clarke says they will be reapplying for safety schemes but says that ultimately he's disappointed that there's not more improvements in the pipeline:

It's thought that housing targets in County Leitrim should be higher.

It comes as new figures show that Leitrim reached 98% of its overall housing target between 2022 and 2024.

Out of 82 social homes due to be built, 80 were completed.

But local Cllr Padraig Fallon believes that the targets are too low in the first place and that the local authority in Leitrim could build more, if the funding was there:

There's a further warning that a decision to hike up fees will hit Sligo students hard.

It comes just weeks after moves to end protections for student renters were also announced.

The Government is insisting that this year's budget will still help students and their families regardless.

But Sligo Leitrim Sinn Fein TD Martin Kenny says students are already facing multiple issues and this latest revelation will only make things worse.

He says with the severe shortage of student accommodation locally combined with the imminent fees hike will result in many not being to afford to attend third level:

The Defective Concrete Block Crisis, objectors and Irish Water have all been blamed for the lack of delivery of social housing in Donegal.

New figures show that Donegal delivered just 46% of its overall housing target figure between 2022-2024.

Overall, it's the worst performing local authority.

Sligo met 55% of its target over the same period.

Newly elected Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council and Fianna Fail Cllr Paul Canning says every effort will be made to get house building back on track in Donegal: