Speaking to MEP Mullooly in Brussels yesterday, Marco Panigalli, the EU's Head of Civil Protection Emergency Response, confirmed that emergency assistance could have been placed on standby, ready to be deployed:

It's been claimed that no North West venues were allocated funding under the Grassroots Music Venues Scheme.

This initiative, launched by the Department of Culture, aims to bolster the night-time economy by providing grants of up to €15,000 to small, established venues that showcase emerging musical talent.

However it's emerged that just one venue in Ulster was sanctioned funding as other applications from the North West were deemed ineligible.

The issue led to a row erupting in the Dail between Donegal Sinn Fein TD Pearse Doherty and Minister for Culture Patrick O'Donovan:

There has been no decision made on where the surgical hub will be located between Sligo and Donegal.

Although it was expected that the hub would be placed at Sligo University Hospital following a business case being submitted by the HSE, it's now been argued that Letterkenny University Hospital should be the priority.

Over 170 clinicians from Donegal issued a statement to the Department of Health, where they urged the Minister to reconsider their decision.

Speaking in the Dail today, Deputy Charles Ward and Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeil discussed the issue:

A Sligo Teaching Union official says the ASTI says it will seek an official resolution to teachers’ concerns about the Senior Cycle Redevelopment Programme.

It comes after 68 per cent of teachers voted against a package of measures to support them in the new curriculum.

The union says it will invoke "dispute resolution mechanisms" to try resolve the impasse.

General Secretary of the ASTI, Kieran Christie outlines some of teacher's concerns:

Regional imbalance has been blamed for accessibility issues among those with a disability in the North West.

The lack of accessible footpaths, roads, buildings, transport and internet connectivity in the region are all said to have been highlighted at two recent workshops in Donegal.

Pippa Black, Donegal Community Development worker for the Independent Living Movement of Ireland says it's clear that the underfunding in the North West is having a knock-in effect on those with a disability:

Sligo Cathedral is due to reopen this week.

It was shut for over six months for renovation works.

Liturgies for the duration of the closure were being celebrated in Nazareth Chapel.

Ocean FM paid a visit to the Cathedral ahead of the opening:

Work is finally set to start on the Fintra Bridge.

An official sod turning ceremony is set to take place tomorrow, marking the beginning of the construction stage.

The upgrade has been in the pipeline for many years.

Independent Cllr Jimmy Brogan says while it's positive that it's finally getting underway, the project should have been priority.

He also says it's time for other key pieces of infrastructure to progress as the North West has been suffering from a major deficit:

The Irish Government is being urged to intervene in the major setback on the A5 project.

The road upgrade has been deemed vital for the future needs of the North West region.

The Stormont Executive's decision to proceed with the upgrade was quashed at the High Court in Belfast this week as the Judge felt the proposed scheme breached elements of the Climate Change Act 2022.

There have been more than 50 deaths on the road and its felt locally that the route in its current state is putting lives at risk.

Speaking in the Seanad, Fianna Fail Donegal Senator Blaney urged the Government here to do what it can in a bid to rescue the situation:

The Irish Government is being urged to intervene in the major setback on the A5 project.

The road upgrade has been deemed vital for the future needs of the North West region.

The Stormont Executive's decision to proceed with the upgrade was quashed at the High Court in Belfast this week as the Judge felt the proposed scheme breached elements of the Climate Change Act 2022.

There have been more than 50 deaths on the road and its felt locally that the route in its current state is putting lives at risk.

Speaking in the Seanad, Fianna Fail Donegal Senator Blaney urged the Government here to do what it can in a bid to rescue the situation:

'Wee pockets' said to be left behind by the local link in south Donegal.

While the bus service caters to vast areas of the county, it's thought there could be improvements in places like Ardara, Lough Eske, Mountcharles and Glenties.

Service reviews of the area are due to take place shortly.

Speaking in the Seanad earlier, Fine Gael Senator Manus Boyle says it should be a scheme that caters to everyone: