Uisce Eireann has been accused of disrespecting local representatives.

 There have been numerous outages in County Donegal in recent weeks, and it’s claimed that there’s a reluctance by Uisce Eireanns main office to provide information to Cllrs.

 Donegal County Councillor Michael Cholm Mac Giolla Easbuig says they should be able to speak to someone directly about various water issues.

 He believes that the model they have in place is not working:

A Leitrim Councillor says the regular updates from the office of Junior Minister Michael Healy Rae in relation to the work the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is doing for forestry owners is frustrating many people locally who were left without power and water after violent storms at the beginning of the year.

Ballinamore more MD Councillor Garry Prior was commentating after felling licences were issued to forestry owners that had trees damaged due to windblow issues.

The Fianna Fail councillor says that despite elected representatives from Leitrim having met with Minister Healy Rae on storm damage issues there has been little of no correspondence from his office in recent times

Driving test waiting times have reduced dramatically in the North West.

Donegal currently has the highest average waiting time at 11 weeks while the waiting time in both Sligo and Leitrim stands at nine weeks.

The overall goal is said to be an average of 10 weeks and once this is achieved Junior Transport Minister Sean Canney has committed to banning the rollover of learner permits.

Donegal road safety group Parc released the study which shows that many centres have successfully managed to reduce waiting times.

Its founder, Susan Gray has been speaking to Ocean FM news:

Customers in parts of Leitrim are being urged to conserve water by Uisce Eireann.

The calls have been made following a significant increase in demand in recent days.

Residents in a number of areas incluidng Drumshanbo are being asked to be “mindful of their usage

Speaking to Ocean FM News, Kevin Love, Treatment and Operations Manager for Uisce Eireann gave the following advice for customers.

The Executive of Fine Gael meets later to discuss the options for fielding a new Presidential election candidate.

Mairead McGuinness withdrew last week on health grounds.

Among those who could replace her on the party ticket are former GAA President and MEP Sean Kelly and former Minister Heather Humphrey's.

It’s thought that if Heather Humphrey’s does allow her name to go forward she will receive significant local support with Sligo Leitrim TD Frank Feighan already publically declaring his support for the former Minister for Social Protection.

Director from the Ireland Thinks polling company Kevin Cunningham says Heather Humphrey’s is nosing ahead:

It's being claimed the costs associated with returning to school have increased for many families with parents being pushed to purchase digital devices for their children.

The Department of Education recently confirmed that one in four secondary schools have asked parents to buy digital devices for students.

The information was contained in a School Data Collection Survey.

A total of twenty four percent of schools reported that they had asked parents to purchase or provide digital devices, such as laptops or tablets.

Leitrim County Councillor and secondary school teacher, James Gilmartin says over reliance on technology is not beneficial for students and he also expressed concern with the finical pressure such demands are placing on families at this time of year.

HSE and Parkrun Ireland launch dementia friendly programme in North West

Too much Irish quota being landed outside of state - says IFPEA CEO

Orange forest fire warning in effect until Monday

Water safety warning issued for the weekend