Ocean FM Main News

Changes to the rental system, including allowing landlords to reset rents to market rates, are set to begin next month after the Dáil passed the Residential Tenancies Bill by 73 votes to 68. The bill now goes before the Seanad today and is due to come into effect on March 1st, with protests by tenant groups taking place outside Leinster House. It's feared up to 60 thousand first-time renters could be impacted, with rents potentially rising by up to 15 per cent a year. Speaking to Ocean FM News, Cllr Padraig Fallon says the bill is disappointing and will cause serious anxiety for tenants already struggling with high rents.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bundoran based party member, Kathy O Kelly has been success in securing a position on the Fine Gael National Executive.She was co-opted after securing nominations and completing the interview process for the role.A vacancy on the Executive arose following the decision of Philip Kelly to step down.The Donegal party official will serve in the position until the next Party Ard Fheis.She says she hope to support the Donegal FG senators and Councillors in her new role.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A midlands northwest MEP has called on Bord Bia to provide answers on how funding being paid to them is being used.Independent Ireland MEP Ciaran Mullooly wants Bord Bia to confirm that none of the significant level of funding being provided by the European union is being used to promote beef that originated outside of Europe in countries such as Brazil.He has warned that there is no facility or tolerance within EU rules for this funding to be used to promote products imported from outside the European Union.The MEP says questions must now be addressed, particularly in relation to traceability, transparency, and the protection of consumer and farmer confidence in Bord Bia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Children’s Minister Norma Foley is being urged to travel to Donegal to see childcare facilities affected by defective concrete blocks. The issue was raised by Donegal Deputy Pearse Doherty during the second stage debate of the Child Care Amendment Bill 2025. It’s believed more than 20 childcare facilities are impacted, with three publicly owned buildings, catering for over 300 children, in urgent need of attention. Deputy Doherty says there is still no scheme in place to deal with the problem, warning children are attending crumbling buildings and calling on the Minister to urgently engage with affected providersSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More than 3,000 vacant homes were refurbished across Ireland in 2025 under the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant.The North-West led the way, with Donegal seeing over 1,000 approvals and €22 million paid out.The scheme has now returned over 4,500 properties to use since its launch in 2022.Speaking to Ocean Fm news Minister Marian Harkin says the grant is a practical and effective way to increase housing supply in the North West.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sligo County Council is being urged to explore building retirement housing in towns and villages through a public-private partnership.The proposal would help older people downsize from large rural homes and move closer to healthcare, shops and other essential services.It would also free up family homes for younger generations, while offering secure, community-based living for retirees.Speaking to Ocean FM News, Cllr Micheal Clarke says the council should explore the possibility of developing retirement houses in towns and villages to help older people downsize and live closer to public services.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Leitrim Councillor has launched scathing attack on the sitting North West TD's and Junior Ministers over their lack of action in championing environmental issues such as opposition to gold mining.Councillor Eddie Mitchell has already tabled a motion with the Local Authority in Leitrim calling for Ministers Helen McEntee and Jim O'Callaghan, to withdraw so called 'investor protection which offers a safety net to companies involved in such practices.The Independent Councillor claims that since Minster Harkin was appointed a Junior Minister the region has lost a strong voice for the environment.He accused the government of effectively of destroying the possibility of banning gold mining by their lack of action.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are further calls for hidden cameras to be installed on roads in the region in a bid to catch litter louts.It comes as a vast number of glass bottles were dumped along the N56 in recent days.Volunteers have since been out collecting the rubbish from the side of the road.Cathoirleach of the Glenties MD Cllr Michael McClafferty says if a clean-up wasn't carried out, it could have had such implications for all road users:See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's been claimed that planning restrictions on a road in County Donegal are preventing people from returning home to the County.The N56 connects Donegal Town, Inver, Killybegs into west Donegal and onto Letterkenny.However, current national policy blocks one-off housing if it accesses the road, even on family land that has been home for generations.Speaking in the Seanad, Fine Gael Senator Manus Boyle says young people should be able to build on their own land and something must be done to relax the rules and secure the future of rural communities:See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Planning permission has been granted for an Aldi Store in Boyle.The project will see a brand-new modern supermarket as part of a mixed-use development.It'll also include the demolition of derelict buildings and structures and the refurbishment of five houses along Patrick Street.Aldi initially sought planning permission almost two years ago, with the project said to have faced a number of setbacks.The store could be up and running later this year.Local Fianna Fail Cllr Sean Moylan believes it'll have far-reaching benefits for the town:See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.