Ocean FM News Reports

The National President of retired SIPTU members has urged the current government to honour commitments made in relation to pension payments that were first made more than twenty five years ago.   A public meeting in relation to pension payments will take place in the Southern Hotel in Sligo tomorrow at 11 am to discuss the shortfall that currently exists between pension payments and the avera...

The 100% Redress Party has yet to decide on whether to contest the next General Election.   The party, which is campaigning on behalf Mica affected homeowners, formed earlier this year with the aim of contesting the local elections next June.   However, as details of the Electoral Commission decision to leave the Donegal constituency boundary as it is were revealed yesterday, attentions...

The lack of accommodation in Sligo has had an impact on tourism this year, according to one local business woman.   It comes as the Irish Tourism Confederation also says it has been a difficult summer for businesses working in the industry.   Overseas visitors to Ireland are down by 37%, with the number of British and German tourists noticeably down.   However the North American mar...

The decision to revert the VAT rate for the hospitality sector back to 13.5% will see consumers taking a massive hit across the region.   That's the view of Sligo restauranteur Anthony Gray, who was speaking ahead of the final decision on the VAT rate being made.   Hoteliers and restauranteurs across the North West have been campaigning to keep the VAT rate at the amended 9%.   Spea...

A North West representative of the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association says a recent tweet by the Environmental Protection Agency urging consumers to reduce red meat consumption is potentially damaging for the local agricultural sector. The tween in question from the EPA urged people to get healthier by introducing “veggie lunches” and “meat free Mondays”. The post also pointed out 10 per c...

Increasing the Garda age limit "smacks of desperation", according to a former Donegal Sergeant.   The government is considering extending the limit, which could see people aged 45 or 50 becoming Garda recruits.   At the moment, the upper age limit is 35, but the Irish Independent reports 'radical fresh proposals' are being considered to increase numbers.   Former Garda Sergeant Chri...

This publication of today’s report has now alleviated fears that the County of Leitrim would have been split for the next general election.   Sitting Leitrim based TD Martin Kenny says that although he is disappointed that north Roscommon is being removed from the Sligo Leitrim Constituency he has expressed his relief that any moves to split Leitrim were not considered by the Electoral Commis...

The cons outweigh the pros when it comes to Airbnb in the North West. That's according to Donegal Independent Cllr Michael Cholm MacGiolla Easbuig who was reacting to a new report which claims that Airbnb has generated millions to the economy in Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal while also supporting hundreds of jobs in the region. The report, commissioned by Airbnb outlines how it has become a vital par...

Changes to Dáil constituencies have been announced this morning.   The Electoral Commission earlier delivered its report on the redrawing of election areas.   The Electoral Commission has recommended that the number of TDs for the next Dáil be increased to 174, up from 160.   Locally South Donegal will remain in the Sligo Leitrim constituency however the North Roscommon area has bee...

There are hopes that the Government may meet the hospitality sector halfway as it relates to the impending hike to the VAT rate.   The rate is set to return to 13.5% from midnight tonight following several extensions of the lower 9%.   There are ongoing fears that businesses in the North West will close over the move as many say it will be simply unsustainable to continue trading.  ...

Calls are being made for the government to publish the findings of the School Transport Scheme review. As many students are heading back to school, the issue of bus seat availability has arisen once again, with many being told there isn't enough space for them. The review began in February 2021, and the results are yet to be published, with the scheme operating on a temporary basis in the meantime...

After it emerged that the National Car Test will not be going cashless, one Sligo Councillor is warning that we are heading towards a cashless society. Junior Transport Minister Jack Chambers has denied the NCT's move, saying that last week's announcement was made without any prior agreement by the Road Safety Authority and the Department. Sligo-Strandhill Councillor Arthur Gibbons believes a cash...

There are calls for extra overtime funding for Gardai across the North West.   It comes as the Government recently announced a plan to boost the overtime budget by 10 million euro in Dublin after a series of high-profile attacks and assaults.   However it's claimed that break-ins at rural homes and farms are happening on a continuous basis and are no longer only in isolated areas - with...

The expected decision not to include the proposed extra MEP seat for Ireland has been described as ridiculous. That's the view of Fine Gael Midlands North West MEP Colm Markey, who spoke out on the issue ahead of the publication of the Electoral Commission's report tomorrow. It's expected the report will be based on the existing 13-seat allocation, rather than the proposed new allocation of 14 sea...

The latest increase in anti-social behaviour on trains shows that many people are fearful of using public transport, and prefer to commute from regions such as the North West to larger cities. Irish Rail has reported a sharp rise in the level of anti-social behaviour on its services for the latest three-month period as concerns mount over crime in Ireland. The number of reportable incidents - whic...

It's thought that the idea of a major dual carriageway from Donegal to Galway should be revisited. There's ongoing concern that the Western Corridor has been badly neglected over the years in terms of connectivity and that the infrastructure currently is place is inadequate. Councillor Michael Cholm MacGiolla Easbuig doesn't hold out much hope in the enhancement of the rail service. He believes th...

The public have been encouraged to apply for the Local Authority Home Loan Scheme. The scheme announced this morning by Minister Darragh O'Brien is for those looking to purchase a new or second-hand home or build their own home. The loan is a government backed mortgage for creditworthy first-time buyers and is available nationwide from the nearest local authority. It enables an applicant to borrow...

Sligo County Council has been called on to start using compulsory purchase orders on vacant buildings. People Before Profit Councillor Gino O'Boyle has previously requested a review be done on vacant buildings and holiday homes to ascertain the number of available buildings in the region that could be acquired by the council. Councillor O'Boyle has earmarked a system in Italy that may be of use in...

The funeral mass of former Bishop of Clogher Liam MacDaid taken place in Monaghan. Her funeral mass was celebrated in St. Macartan’s Cathedral in Monaghan, and he will be laid to rest in the Cathedral grounds. The Bundoran native died on August 15th while on holiday in France. During his funeral mass, chief celebrant Bishop Larry Duffy described the former Bishop as a proud Donegal Man.

Iarnród Éireann is being called on to facilitate those that are looking to transport bicycles to the north west. Councillor Seán McDermott is expressing concern that the leisure tourism industry is not being maximised in this region. The Fine Gael Councillor says that there has been a huge increase in the numbers of those cycling since the Covid-19 pandemic. The Glenfarne-based Councillor says if...

Motorists are being asked to continue to drive with caution on the Lugatober Road in Sligo. An informal audit is to be carried out on the Traffic Management on the road by the contractor in the coming days. A number of motorists have previously raised concerns over the roadworks and flashing lights were stolen from the repair works. Speaking to Ocean FM News, Councillor Marie Casserly says it's im...

Mica redress campaigners have applied to register as the country's newest political party. The 100 Percent Redress Party says it'll be a "force to be reckoned with" and will field candidates in Donegal. The Mica scandal began in 2011 when defective concrete blocks were used in the construction of homes. Speaking to Ocean FM News, Ali Farren, member of the 1oo Percent Redress Party, outlined the pa...

120 people are currently homeless across the North West. According to the latest report from the Department of Housing, 57 people in Donegal, 52 in Sligo, and 11 in Leitrim accessed emergency accomodation throughout the week of July 24th to July 30th. Over the same timeframe, 15 families across the region were in emergency accomodation, with 35 children among them. Speaking to Ocean FM News, Sinn...

Calls are being made for Local authorities to be able to use the latest technology in the fight against anti-social behaviour, illegal dumping and dog fouling. It's being reported today that Council officials will soon be able to use drone-mounted cameras to identify illegal dumpers. A new code of practice is being drafted to allow city and county councils use a range of recording equipment includ...

Mica redress campaigners have applied to register as the country's newest political party. The 100 Percent Redress Party says it'll be a "force to be reckoned with" and will field candidates in Donegal. The Mica scandal began in 2011 when defective concrete blocks were used in the construction of homes. Jack Horgan Jones, Political Reporter with The Irish Times, says a decent number have signed up...