A Leitrim Councillor has described as ‘laughable’ claims that the tourism sector may play an increasingly important role in supporting long-term economic growth.

The predictions were contained in a recent SME Monitor published by the Banking & Payments Federation Ireland.

 The report stated how Irish GDP grew by over 13 percent in the first quarter of the year, largely driven by medical and pharmaceutical exports.

 It’s says the tourism sector could help to keep employment high.

 Manorhamilton Councillor Felim Gurn says without tourism accommodation being available it’s difficult to see how the sector will thrive.

The National Transport Authority and Irish Rail say there's no money to provide catering services on all intercity trains, including the Sligo to Dublin line.

Catering services had been suspended across the network in March 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic after government restrictions on passenger numbers made the service commercially unviable.

Services, however, were reinstated on the Dublin to Cork and Belfast lines.

Last year, Irish Rail said it expected catering services to resume on all lines by the end of 2024 - however that didn't happen.

The NTA's Hugh Creegan explains that subsidising catering across the network could mean a lack of local link bus services elsewhere:

The issue of management over water and wastewater infrastructure in Leitrim has been raised in the Dail.

Leitrim County Council have taken control over 100 estates in the past eight years, however many residents “left in limbo” in relation to water services.

Uisce Eireann has taken over management of a portion of the estates, but it's hoped they will expand to cover all of them.

Speaking this afternoon, Sligo-Leitrim Fine Gael TD Frank Feighan called upon the Taoiseach to act:

The need for fibre optic broadband has been highlighted for all areas of Donegal.

It’s understood that a number of businesses in Donegal are struggling with connectivity, making them unable to accept card payments and losing out on customers.

Although the National Broadband Plan is being rolled out across Ireland, it’s thought some towns and villages are being left behind.

Sinn Fein Cllr Noel Jordan says the future of a number of businesses hang in the balance:

Met Éireann has issued a potato blight advisory for the north west for the coming days.

The national forecaster say that counties Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal will be at risk.

According to Teagasc, blight is still the most serious disease of potatoes in Ireland despite recent advances in fungicides, improved varieties and better disease forecasting.

There is still no means of eradicating an outbreak in a crop, meaning that disease prevention is key.

IFA Potato Chair Sean Ryan, says it's due to the warm and wet conditions forecast for the coming days:

A North West TD says the modus operandi of the HSE in prioritising healthcare services in Galway at the expense of counties such as Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal needs to be changed immediately in order for adequate health services to be put in place for a growing and aging population.

It’s estimated that the country will need at least 40 per cent more inpatient beds in our hospitals by 2040.

A new study by the ESRI suggests an additional 4,400 to 6,800 beds will be needed.

Emergency Department attendances are projected to grow from 1.6 million to around 2.1 million by 2040.

Donegal TD Padraig MacLochlainn, says the HSE has a tendency to locate many vital services in Galway and as a result, patients from as far as way Donegal to travel five hours to access treatment.

It’s emerged that elective orthopedic surgeries have been paused at Sligo University Hospital.

That’s due to ongoing concerns about the safety of the existing theatre infrastructure.

Nine patients had their procedures cancelled in the immediate aftermath of a water leak on

Good Friday.

Just last month, Consultant John Kelly described the department in Sligo as the worst in the country.

While Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll McNeill, confirmed in the Dáil that a new roof will be developed at the theatre later this year.

Local member of the Regional Health Forum West, Councillor Edel McSharry says the ball is in the HSE’s court:

A Sligo Leitrim TD says building changes that were announced yesterday which will allow Developers to apply for a 3-year planning permission extension should lead to more houses being constructed in the North West.

 Deputy Eamon Scanlon has confirmed that the new planning bill will also apply to one off builds.

The Fianna Fáil TD, says the moves are necessary to address the major demand that there is currently for housing in Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal.

The proposals will grant extra time to address delays associated with issues such as judicial reviews and financing issues.

The Sligo TD, who has a background in property sales says that there are often long delays when it comes to resolving complex planning issues.

Deputy Scanlon who has been proactive for many years as a TD says it’s time for a serious conservation to take place around the entire planning process in this Country.

Deputy Scanlon says it’s time for a serious conservation to take place around the entire planning process in this Country

The Local Authority in Leitrim has failed to meet their target of farming inspections in 2024.  They only managed to reach 11% of their allocation of inspections.

According to The Journal Investigates, Leitrim Council completed five inspections out of a target of forty six, and only one of these inspections passed on the first visit.

Sligo and Donegal also both failed to meet their targets, with Sligo reaching 85% and Donegal meeting 50%.

Conor O'Carroll, author of the report, says it’s important that farming regulations are being adhered to:

The Dáil has heard of the devastation caused to the family of a consultant at Sligo University Hospital.

Dr. Ali Al Najjar lost his nine of nieces and nephews in an Israeli airstrike on Friday.

His sister-in-law, Ala a pediatrician based at a local hospital was treating victims of Israeli attacks when her own children and husband were rushed to the hospital.

The children - the eldest aged 13 and the youngest just six months - were severely burned in the bombing.

Shortly before the strike, Najjar had left for work with her husband, Dr Hamdi al-Najjar, who then returned home.

Not long after, an Israeli bombardment struck their house, killing nine of their 10 children and wounding the 10th.

Dublin South-West Deputy Paul Murphy says action is needed:

Responding, Taoiseach Micheál Martin sympathised with the family with Doctor Al Najjar and says step are being taken by the Government: