The debate around the deployment of Irish soldiers, as peacekeepers in southern Lebanon is back in the public domain again today.

That’s after Irish Troops that were on a joint patrol with the Lebanese Armed Forces came under fire yesterday near the Blue Line in South Lebanon.

 There were no reported injuries and no damage to the armoured vehicles they were operating from.

As recently as last week, 94 personnel from the 28th Infantry Battalion in Finner Camp returned home completing a tour of duty.

 Retired Army Colonel, Andrew Kilfeather, from Ballygawley commanded a mission in the Lebanon in the past.

He says peacekeepers in Lebanon face many challenges,

He also feels having troops on such mission is a vital for Irish foreign policy:

Measures to tackle overcrowding at Sligo University Hospital appear to be working.

That's according to Fianna Fail Cllr Edel MacSharry, who has been reacting to the latest figures from the INMO, which for the first time in a long time, does not include Sligo in its top five most overcrowded facilities for the month.

There were a total of 370 people awaiting admission to the hospital during May, including 12 today.

Cllr MacSharry, who is also a member of the regional health forum says it's clear that the appropriate steps are being taken, but that there's still some way to go:

There are genuine concerns that the future of many Community employment schemes are being placed at risk over the shortage of workers that are available or meet the criteria to work on them.

The fact that participants on such schemes have no option other than to retire at the age of 66 is also thought to be another contributing factor to the number of reduced workers.

Leitrim Sinn Fein Councillor Padraig Fallon has classed the situation where workers have to retire at 66 an as ‘anomaly’ citing examples how civil servants and workers in the private sector now have the option to work up to at lease 70 if they so wish.

Cllr. Fallon says many workers on these schemes are single males and once their involvement is terminated, their only contact with society also disappears.

The Sinn Fein Councillor says concessions should be made to give workers a greater choice when they have to retire.  He says the level of pay for workers also needs to be increased.

There is a real threat to the future of the Rory Gallagher International Tribute Festival.

The 21st edition of the festival commenced yesterday in Ballyshannon and will run until Sunday, with 30 acts performing on 15 stages across the event.

The festival is organised by volunteers and brings between 4 to 5 million euros to the local economy annually.

Chairperson and Founder of the Rory Gallagher International Tribute Festival, Barry O'Neill, says that there's no guarantee the festival will return due to the rising operating costs:

A Holiday home owner in the North West has expressed concern over reports that the shortage of rental properties may lead to protests targeting those who own holiday residences.

Richard, who lives between the UK and the North West of Ireland has owned a holiday property in this region for the last 15 years.

 He says the local region feels like a second home and that many holiday home owners contribute to the local economy as well as supporting many local businesses and organisations.

 Richard says the thoughts of protests concern him.

 He says he had hoped that days of local's attempting to banish so called ‘outsiders’ from local communities were confined to the history books.

Motorists across the North West are being warned that Gardaí will be cracking down on drink driving this June Bank Holiday weekend.

70 per cent of driver deaths happen during off peak hours between 10pm and 6 o'clock in the morning.

A joint road safety appeal is being made by the force and the Road Safety Authority.

Chief Superintendent David Harrington is appealing to drivers to take care:

The Government has been accused of protecting communities only after the flood happens.

There's ongoing flooding concerns in a number of towns and villages across the North West and it's claimed that mitigation measures are only implemented when the damage is already done.

Speaking in the Dail, Sligo Leitrim Sinn Fein TD Martin Kenny says that Ireland should take inspiration from other countries in this regard:

Serious safety concerns have been raised over the Main Street in Riverstown.

It's a busy route, home to a number of businesses and a school and it's said to becoming increasingly difficult to cross the road, particularly for children.

Some motorists are also said to be travelling at excessive speeds through the village.

Last weekend, parents staged a protest, calling for traffic calming measures.

Fianna Fail Cllr Liam Brennan says it has to happen before something serious happens:

Echoing those comments, Fine Gael Cllr Gerard Mullaney is confident that Sligo County Council will take action:

MS Ireland have requested the establishment of a Community Worker Post in the Sligo-Leitrim area.

As it stands, this is the only region across Ireland without a dedicated support position in place.

On World MS Day today, MS Ireland are seeking more equity in terms of healthcare for local residents.

Alison Cotter, Advocacy Officer at MS Ireland, says the introduction of the role would have many benefits for patients:

The Sligo Senator who raised the issue of rail catering services at an Oireachtas Transport Committee this week has welcomed a government review into the matter.

Junior Transport Minister Sean Canney confirmed yesterday that he is now taking steps to resolve the issue.

As it stands, only the Dublin to Cork, and Dublin to Belfast trains can avail of the tea-trolley.

Labour Senator Nessa Cosgrove praised the development, but criticised the NTA suggestion that the rollout of catering services could come at a cost and may even result in the amount of funding being provided for the local link service being reduced.