A Donegal TD has once again appealed to the Taoiseach over defective block payments.

There are hopes for a 100% redress for all impacted homeowners along the west coast and nationwide.

It’s understood that many people are struggling to afford the work needed on their homes, unless legislation is changed.

Speaking in the Dail this afternoon, Sinn Fein Deputy Padraig Maclochlainn called on Micheal Martin to act:

The High Court in Belfast’s decision to halt proceedings to upgrades on the A5 has been considered a devastating blow for the North West.

The A5 developments would have improved conditions linking counties Donegal to Monaghan through counties Tyrone and Derry

Last year the Irish government committed €600 million to the project.

Donegal Minister of State, Charlie McConalogue, says this must only be setback and the impasse has to be resolved:

A former local election for the Green party in Leitrim says community led schemes can help the country reach its targets in establishing a cleaner environment.

A new report says community led climate action will offer a powerful model for delivering a fairer climate transition.

Independent research evaluated 19 projects funded under the Community Climate Action Programme and outlines how these models can be scaled and replicated across the country.

Adam Ó Ceallaigh says the report offers plenty of evidence how communities in both and urban and rural areas can play their part.

A major road safety campaign has begun, calling for a speed reduction outside a Sligo School.

Located on the Breeoge Road, Ransboro National school is advocating for a reduction in the current speed limit outside its gates from 60km/h to 30km/h.

The 'Love 30' campaign aims to improve safety for students, parents, and other vulnerable road users.

As part of the campaign, students have also begun collecting signatures from the wider school community to support a formal request for the speed limit reduction.

Local Fine Gael Cllr Fergal Nealon is hopeful that the students will achieve what they have set out to do:

The possibility of those living north of the border being able to vote in Presidential elections could move a step closer after today

The Dáil will debate extending the right to vote in Presidential elections to citizens in Northern Ireland later.

Sinn Féin is seeking to pass a motion to extend the franchise.

Meanwhile, a bill, initially introduced to the Oireachtas 11 years ago, has been resubmitted to today's agenda, which would extend voting in Presidential elections to all Irish citizens over the age of 16, regardless of where they live.

Leader of Aontú, Peadar Tóibín has been telling Ocean FM New that everyone on the Island should have a say in who occupies the office of President.

Sligo's Domestic Violence service DVAs has expanded its services.

The charity is also said to be busy with recent figures showing a year on year rise in those contacting them.

Nationally, Women's Aid national and regional frontline services were contacted 32,144 times in 2024, an increase of 12% on 2023.

Carmel McNamee, DVAs Manager says an increase in those accessing the service is a positive thing:

It's hoped that the notorious abandoned apartment complex in Ballisodare will be moved to the derelict sites register.

The site is said to be one of a number currently under investigation by Sligo County Council.

Should the building qualify, the local authority will be able to slap hefty levies on the owners or allow it to carry out a compulsory purchase order.

It comes as a sign with the slogan 'derelict Ireland, everybody should have a home' appeared outside the complex in recent days.

Fine Gael Cllr Thomas Walsh believes that the derelict register holds the key to finally seeing some progress with the property:

A Sligo Councillor has strongly criticised Fine Gael over report that the party is opposing weekly welfare hikes for jobseekers.

It was reported by the Irish Independent that Fine Gael were not in favour of granting the same increases as those for pensioners and the disabled in the Budget.

There is speculation that the moves are likely to cause tensions with Coalition partners Fianna Fáil, who currently hold the Social Protection portfolio.

 It's understood that Fine Gael are against what it sees a rewarding of people 'who refuse to work Nearly 48,000 people have been on the dole for a year or longer and the party believes they should receive lower weekly increases to incentivise them to work.

Sligo based, People Before Profit Councillor, Gino O Boyle says such moves will cause division within society

The ability of Gardaí to tackle the issue of rural crime is not being helped by the reduced number of serving front-line members.

That's according to the Garda Representative Association, who say just 70 per cent of available vacancies for trainee Gardaí are being filled.

A new report by the Policing and Community Safety Authority has flagged recruitment and retention as a key issue for the force.

Inadequate resources, a lagging ICT system and training are also some of the areas highlighted to be improved.

Tara McManus, Assistant General Secretary of the GRA, says the last few recruitment drives haven't helped staffing issues locally:

The Government has come under fire for its approach in easing the housing crisis locally.

It comes as prices in the north west were on average 7.4% higher in the second quarter of 2025 than a year previously, according to latest report from Daft.ie.

Prices in Leitrim rose by 8.7% over the same period while Donegal and Sligo rose by 8.3 and 5.2% respectively.

Sinn Féin Councillor Pádraig Fallon believes the Government could be doing more to support those locally looking to secure their first home: