The need for a surgical hub locally has been raised on the floor on the floor of the Dáil.

Last week, it emerged that a greenfield site has been identified as a potential location in the north west.

While a business case is currently being updated with it expected to be submitted nationally be early April.

The Programme for Government previously committed to explore the provision of one additional surgical hub for the north west in a timely manner.

Sligo-Leitrim Fine Gael TD Frank Feighan requested an update on the matter.

Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll McNeil provided no new updates on the matter but did confirm submissions are welcome:

There are renewed calls on the National Transport Authority to expand the S2 bus route in Sligo.

With an ever-increasing number of businesses located around Sligo Airport, it's thought there is a big demand for the service particularly at peak times.

Fine Gael Councillor Fergal Nealon raised the matter and feels that there are large number of people locally who would gladly avail of this service if it was available:

Companies across Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal are bracing themselves for impact as Donald Trump prepares to bring in wide-ranging tariffs.

The EU and Irish Government are expecting the US President to announce taxes of 20 per cent on all goods imported into America.

President Trump is due to make his landmark 'Liberation Day' announcement at 9 o'clock tonight Irish time.

It's thought the tariffs will change world trade beyond recognition.

Junior Minister Marian Harkin says exporters here must be protected and that every effort must be made to ensure a trade war is prevented:

The first quarter of 2025 was the busiest on record at Ireland West Airport.

168,000 passengers travelled through the airport between January and March, representing a 6% increase in 2024 passenger numbers.

Both Aer Lingus and Ryanair recorded their busiest-ever first quarter for passenger numbers at the airport.

The figures have been released as the airport has also launched a record breaking 2025 summer schedule.

Donal Healy Head of Marketing at Ireland West Airport says it's a hugely positive time for the facility:

There are fears new charges for European visitors to the UK could hurt the tourism sector in Fermanagh.

They now have to get Electronic Travel Authorisation when travelling to Northern Ireland- which costs nearly 12 euro; soon going up to 19.

It's feared European tourists arriving to Ireland will be put off travelling to the North, because of the paperwork and cost.

Stormont's Economy Minister's Caoimhe Archibald, met with tourism representatives recently:

Odds continue to be defied at farms across the north west.

Following the birth of triplet calves in north Leitrim in mid-March, one south Donegal farmer has achieved his own remarkable story.

The Crawford brothers, based in Dowra welcomed triplet calves to their farm on March 16th.

The odds of having three calves of the same sex is a 1 in 400,000 chance.

However, Peter McGee, a sheep farmer based between Ballintra and Laghey welcomed sextuplet lambs born to two separate ewes in recent days.

Speaking to Ocean FM, Peter recounted the surprise at the possibility of sextuplet lambs being born on his farm.

It’s thought that there’s over 430 social homes urgently needed in south Donegal.

It comes as a special meeting between the Construction Industry Federation and Donegal County Council is taking place at the end of the month.

It's in response to the level of housing construction taking place in various parts of the county.

There were tense scenes at a recent meeting over the ongoing housing crisis in the County.

Fianna Fail Cllr Michael Naughton says the local authority need to meet developers halfway:

Serious concern has been raised over the amount of vacant occupational therapist positions in south Donegal.

Killybegs, Kilcar, Ardara and Bruckless are just some of the areas affected with fears that a large number of clients may not be receiving much needed treatment.

The situation is also said to be having a major knock on effect on hospital admissions in both Sligo and Letterkenny.

Speaking in the Seanad, Fine Gael Senator Manus Boyle says that no one is benefiting from the current system:

It's still not too late for the Education Minister to intervene in the Donegal Education Centre debacle.

That's according to Sinn Fein Cllr Noel Jordan, who has rowed in behind calls on the management committee to allow for a vote on the matter with all the information made available.

A highly controversial AGM held last Wednesday evening in Letterkenny saw a protest outside against the move and around 100 Donegal teachers walk out in disgust.

Cllr Jordan believes it is the Governments responsibility to hold the management committee to account:

It's been claimed that the Trump Administration has resulted in a drop in American tourists visiting Sligo and the North West.

There's said to be a significant decrease in the number of North Americans coming to Ireland in the first quarter of this year.

Neil Walton of Voya Seaweed Baths in Strandhill believes that there's a direct link.

He feels that there's a sense of apprehension now among Americans visiting here since Donald Trump went into the Oval Office and that that it's hugely concerning: