A Sligo Senator has criticised the Government over the exclusion of three local school projects from the Department of Education’s latest priority list.

Senator Nessa Cosgrove made the comments after  Ursuline College in Sligo, Gaelscoil Chnoc na Ré and Scoil Mhuire in Carrick-on-Shannon, all of which she says are in urgent need of new buildings were not included on the list.

The Labour Senator says students, staff and parents will feel deeply disappointed after years of waiting and repeated engagement with the Department.

Speaking in the Seanad, Senator Nessa Cosgrove says the scale of frustration locally cannot be underestimated.

The RNLI along with the Coast Guard and Water Safety Ireland, are urging people to check weather conditions before heading out for any Coastal Water Activities across the North West  this Bank Holiday weekend.

Strong winds are expected along coastal waters and members of the public are being advised waterside pathways may have been damaged during the recent storms and may be unsafe.

RNLI Regional Water Safety Lead Linda Gene-Byrne, has this advice for people walking on coasts.

A Bill being put forward on fossil gas infrastructure is being criticised.

Friends of the Irish Environment says accelerating LNG does not protect the country from geopolitical instability, price shocks or supply disruption.

The practice of fracking was banned after a successful campaign led by the former Sligo Leitrim Deputy Tony McLoughlin.

Director of Friends of the Irish Environment Tony Lowes says fracked gas is not secure:

A report published today by the Money Advice and Budgeting Service has highlighted how homeowners affected by defective concrete are falling behind on their mortgage payments.

The report has found that the issues are interlinked with homeowners affected being of higher risk of falling into arrears.

The body is calling for urgent support for people affected by the scandal with the establishment of a new scheme to aid in mortgage payments.

Karl Cronin - Area Manager at MABS North Connacht & Ulster says it's a perfect storm:

Inshore fishing groups are calling for urgent action to protect livelihoods along Ireland's coastline.

Donegal TD Pádraig Mac Lochlainn says a basic income scheme could support up to 900 fishermen facing rising costs and climate pressures.

He says the proposal has strong cross-party backing and needs to be delivered in the short term.

Speaking in the Dáil, Pádraig Mac Lochlainn said small inshore fishermen are central to the cultural and economic life of coastal Donegal.

Farmers in the North West have reacted angrily to the fact that those not registered for VAT have had a reduction in their "flat-rate addition" compensation when selling animals at marts.

A number of local Marts have also criticized the move.

The rate has been reduced from 5.1% in 2025 to 4.5% this year.

It means non-VAT registered farmers in Ireland will receive less VAT compensation on their sales, with calculations indicating a loss of approximately €2.86 for every €1,000 worth of livestock sold.

The changes will only effect mart sales and not factory sales.

Sligo Independent Councillor Michael Clarke says the marts will not gain from the increase, adding that it's the government will receive the funds.

A Leitrim Councillor has warned that rising construction prices will prevent many people from building and renovating properties.

Councillor Padraig Fallon made the comments while reacting to the latest GeoDirectory Residential Buildings Report which stated that Leitrim has the highest residential vacancy rate in the Country.

The Sinn Fein Councillor says ever increasing construction costs are deterring many people from building or renovating at present while securing finance is also an issue for many.

Cllr Fallon says rising costs coupled with planning laws will continue to result in less new builds or renovations:

Construction on a new playground and outdoor gym in Sligo Town has begun this week.

The work will see Mitchell Curley Park gain a calisthenics gym as well as the renovation and expansion of the exisitng playground in the park.

The funding for the works was announced in October under the Housing Finance Agency's Social Investment Fund.

Sligo Borough Councillor Fergal Nealon says it's good news for the town:

Despite an announcement expected in the coming days of new ambulance crew and staff for the local region, a Donegal councillor has again raised the urgent need for additional ambulances and crews to be provided for south Donegal.

Sinn Féin's Noel Jordan is warning that the likely allocation which will be announced this week is far from what is required to properly service the area.

A Palestine Solidarity public meeting will take place in Sligo this evening.

Poet Sarah Clancy, who participated in the recent Gaza Flotilla and Eoghan McNeill, co-founder and editor of The Ditch are amongst the guest speakers for this evening's event.

The meeting, organised by the Sligo Palestine Solidarity Committee, will be held in the Glasshouse Hotel at 8pm.

Former Sinn MEP and Councillor Chris McManus is one of the organisers of the public meeting.

He expects that the meeting will issue calls on the Irish Government to pass the Occupied Territories Bill in full and impose sanctions on Israel.