Questions are being asked over a long awaited business case over the future of two fire stations in south Donegal.

The viability of both Bundoran and Ballyshannon fire stations has been an issue which has rumbled on for decades.

In recent months, it had been expected that it would finally come to a head with a business case, recommending the retention of both stations being made to the Department for consideration.

Now there's concern that that the case hasn't been made yet.

Cathaoirleach of the Donegal MD, Sinn Fein Cllr Noel Jordan says there needs to be a sense of urgency with moving it forward:

The rise in camper van culture needs to be embraced.

That's according to Independent Cllr Jimmy Brogan amid renewed concern over the high level of vehicles parked at scenic spots in south Donegal.

The issue is said to be particularly prevalent at the pier in Donegal Town again this year, with further calls for lands locally to be earmarked for the provision of campsites.

Cllr Brogan believes that the local authority need to get a proper handle on the situation:

It’s been confirmed that Rescue 118 will maintain a 24/7 service.

A decision was previously made in February to postpone the new operating system at its Strandhill base following safety concerns about the timing of the transition between two different contractors.

Bristow Ireland was awarded the ten-year contract in 2023, replacing the previous operator CHC Ireland.

While The Department of Transport confirmed that a full agreement is now in place for deployment from 2026, saying that it “involves no additional cost to the exchequer”.

Speaking in the Dáil, Donegal Deputy Pat ‘Cope’ Gallagher outlined that the situation has left many concerned in the north west:

In response, Minister Sean Canney says the non-interruption of current services is the priority.

It's emerged that funding for potential safety measures outside Dunkineely National School won't be sanctioned until 2026.

The revelations come as options for what could be installed there are still being assessed - over two years on from a serious near miss between children and a lorry.

The school is located along a national primary route meaning that there are certain constraints over what traffic calming measures could be considered.

The issue was raised in the Seanad by Fine Gael Senator Manus Boyle who says the situation couldn't be more urgent and these latest developments are totally unacceptable.

Responding on behalf of the Transport Minister, Junior Minister Marian Harkin has committed to see if things can be fast tracked:

The Housing Minister is under pressure to reflect and act following his recent visit to Donegal.

Minister James Browne was in the county earlier this week and met with those affected by the defective concrete block crisis.

Speaking in the Dail last night, 100% Redress Party TD Charles Ward says the occasion should spark a desire in the Minister to provide a better scheme than the one that's currently in place.

Deputy Ward says such a scheme should leave nobody behind:

The Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll McNeill has provided confirmation in the Dáil that the roof in the Orthopaedic Surgical Theatre at Sligo University Hospital will be replaced with a new roof later this year.

Minister McNeill confirmed the news in a Dáil exchange with local TD Martin Kenny last night.

 The theatre was closed and surgery cancelled for eight days because of the leak.

It’s understood that the Health Minister met yesterday with Regional CEO Tony Canavan to discuss the issue.

Minister McNeill has also confirmed that a new Surgical Bloc for Sligo University Hospital is currently at design stage.

Deputy Kenny has welcomed the development saying it was long overdue

Sinn Fein Cllr Michael McMahon says he is heartened by the support of his fellow colleagues and the local community in the wake of an anti-immigration protest descending on his home at the weekend.

It's claimed that some protestors terrorised the McMahon family during the course of Saturday’s incident.

Yesterday, members of the Donegal MD united in solidarity to condemn the incident, branding those involved as bullies.

Cllr McMahon has reiterated that he works hard for his community and what happened at his family home was completely unacceptable:

A new report from the EPA claims that Leitrim is one of the Counties with the highest failure rates when it comes Septic Tank inspections.

75 per cent of the tanks inspected failed.

It’s one of a number of counties where between 70-97per cent of inspected tanks failed.

The failure rate in Sligo stood at 54 per cent while in Donegal was slightly lower at 51 per cent.

Across the country more than half of sceptic tanks failed inspection last year.

 The report states more than 1,390 inspection were carried out by local authorities last year.

The figures from the Environmental Protection Agency also found that 82 per cent of failures between 2013 and 2024 were fixed by the end of last year.

Local Authorities targeted their inspections near rivers and household drinking water wells which are most at risk of contamination by faulty septic tanks.

56 per cent of those that failed did so because they were not built or maintained properly.

Programme Manager with the EPA Noel Byrne said the level failure was concerning.

Pay, the cost of living and working conditions are set to top the agenda of two conferences being held by the Forsa trade union in Donegal.

 The Organisation represents 30 thousand health and welfare workers.

10,000 local government and services workers will also be represented at the event which will run for two days.

Media relations director with Forsa Niall Shanahan said morale in the health service will also be the focus of debate.

Changes to notice requirements at Sligo train station has taken effect from today.

This means people with a disability who require assistance will need to inform Irish Rail one hour before travelling, instead of 12.

The changes take effect at 15 stations nationwide including Dublin Connolly and Galway.

Jane Cregan, of Irish Rail, explains the improvements in accessibility this will provide for passengers: