A public consultation has been announced to consider a proposed ban on inshore fishing by large trawlers.

Concern has been raised on the topic as it heavily impacts the livelihoods of those involved.

General Secretary of the Irish Fish Processors and Exporters Organisation, Brendan Byrne, wanted to clarify some of the misleading information.

The Taoiseach has been accused of deflecting from the housing crisis after commenting on strengthening Ireland's borders.

Speaking in Washington, Leo Varadkar warned that the government cannot guarantee accommodation to asylum seekers because of the rising numbers of arrivals.

He also says more migrants are entering the Republic from Northern Ireland, and that he is working on better control of the borders.

But Labour's local election candidate in Manorhamilton, Bernie Linnane, believes his comments are a distraction from more serious issues.

Ireland is facing legal action over turf cutting, as the European Commission has referred the country to the EU Court of Justice for failing to protect peat bogs. The Commission says the sites continue to be degraded through drainage and turf cutting activities.

Sinn Féin councillor Padraig Fallon feels that fuel poverty is part of the reason why the country failed to meet its targets.

Cllr Fallon labelled the importation of peat from around the world as "ridiculous".

The results of the latest Farmland Price Report have indicated stability for the North West.

The Farmer's Journal have published their annual report, with the average price of land now standing at 11,925 euro, a 3% dip on last year.

Prices dipped in Sligo and in Donegal by roughly 1%, with average prices at 8,300 euro and 10,600 euro respectively.

While in Leitrim, there was a recovery in the market to bring the average price to 6,800 euro.

Speaking to Ocean FM News, author of the report, Paul Mooney, says there is value to be got in the North West.

Around 1600 additional farmers across Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal are to be accepted onto the ACRES Scheme.

The scheme pays farmers to carry out environmental actions on their holdings up to a maximum €7,000 per year.
It was initially expected to cater for 30,000 farmers, however, demand led to 46,0000 places being made available.

Speaking to Ocean FM News, Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue acknowledged that there have been challenges with the scheme that put pressure on the payments system, but he's confident that these issues will be ironed out going forward:

Questions are being asked over a number of misplaced public bins in Ballyshannon.

It's understood that bins have been 'disappearing' in the town over the last few years and they haven't been replaced.

Donegal County Council says that it will investigate matter further but it has indicated that in some instances, the bins have been abused with domestic waste with people not disposing of their waste legally.

Local Fine Gael Councillor, Barry Sweeny, says they are badly needed in some areas and a solution must be found.

Local businesses could face fines of up to €2,000 for buying vapes from unregistered suppliers.

The warning comes from WEEE Ireland, who have recently launched their Vape Retailer Compliance Awareness Campaign.

Fines for any business not found to be compliant will be issued by the EPA, and can range from €500 to €2,000.

Currently, there are just over 600 retailers across the North West that could find themselves susceptible.

Local Fianna Fail Councillor, and member of the Regional Health Forum West, Donal Gilroy, says it's important that standards are adhered to.

Momentum is said to be building following last week's IFA protest outside the meetings of Sligo and Leitrim County Councils.

Farmers met with local representatives last week to voice their concerns in the “Enough is Enough” protests in Sligo and Kinlough.

Members highlighted farmer's complaints over a number of issues including over-regulations and payment delays.

Speaking following Tuesday night's Sligo branch IFA AGM at the Sligo Park Hotel, chairperson Michael O'Dowd says he's enthused by the response of the local authority.

Councillors in Leitrim have expressed disappointment that no funding is available to extend the current public wastewater collection network to new houses.

The issue will hold up the construction of new houses right across the county.

Currently, if a house wants to be added to the current scheme, it could run up costs of up to €70,000.

Leitrim County Council have said they will write to the Department of Housing on the issue, but Councillor Enda Stenson, who brought the motion forward, says that response won't wash.

The Social Democrats have confirmed that Rory Hearne is to contest a seat in the Midlands North West constituency for the upcoming European elections.

Mr Hearne is currently an Associate Professor in Social Policy at Maynooth University, and is also a best-selling author.

He has been quite vocal on the housing crisis in the past, and has been at the centre of a number of campaigns for better housing right across the country.

Speaking to Ocean FM News, Mr Hearne outlined the differences between himself and other candidates running in the constituency.