Chairman of the Rory Gallagher Festival and Fine Gael Donegal County Councillor Barry O’Neill has hit out at the 2,000euro allocation the event was given last year by the tourism authority, describing it as in “insult”.

The festival, now in its eighth year, will this June mark a special occasion – the unveiling of life-size sculpture of the late rock and blues guitarist whose music has gained legendary status amongst a legion of ardent fans.

Around two million euro is generated by the festival for the local economy every year.

Cllr O’Neill travelled to Scotland last week to see the clay version of the piece, which will now go to be embossed in bronze.

Cllr O’Neill said the sculpture will prove to be a major tourist attraction for Ballyshannon and the popularity of the festival warrants an increase in financial support.

Frank Kielty was reacting to figures published today which show , the number of students applying for courses in education has dropped by 4.1% in 2010.

While science, arts and social sciences have all seen an increase in applications this year.

Mr Kielty said the trends seem to reflect the current economic climate

Mr Gallagher’s comments come in the wake of the resignation of Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism Martin Cullen yesterday due to chronic back pain.

His decision also leaves a vacancy for a TD in Waterford, joining the positions open in Dublin South following the resignation of former Fine Gael deputy George Lee and in Donegal South West, after Mr Gallagher was elected to European Parliament last year.

The Cope says numbers wise the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party could be in a vulnerable position, but the earliest he would expect the by-election to be held is early Autumn.

Paschal Mooney has been paying tribute to Martin Cullen who resigned yesterday on health grounds.

Senator Mooney described him as a “hard-working and efficient Minister”.

With an impending Cabinet reshuffle and two Ministerial vacancies to fill, Mr Mooney said he’s hopeful there will be some creative moves made in context of the current challenges being faced.

Emily O’Reilly is citing the ‘Lost At Sea’ report she prepared which despite two attempts, was never discussed at Oireachtas committee level – she says it’s an example of how parliamentary and government arrangements can adversely affect the work of her office.

She also says her office HAS done what the Financial Regulator ‘was accused of not doing, in terms of failing to serve the public interest and rooting out maladministration in the banking system’.

Emily O’Reilly claims parliament in Ireland has been side-lined and is no longer in a position to hold the Executive to account.

Ms O’Reilly said she hopes the Oireachtas will yet find a mechanism to allow the “Lost at Sea” report to be dealt with calmly and reasonably.

The Lost At Sea report was complied following a complaint made by the Byrne family of Bruckless.

The Donegal Road Safety Working group is highlighting the dangers of using mobile phones while driving.

Mobile phone usage now accounts for the second highest number of traffic offences on Irish roads.

In Donegal alone, 1,186 penalty points have been issued to offenders.

Donegal County Council’s Road Safety Officer, Eamon Brown said taking calls while driving is dangerous and simply unacceptable.

Martin Cullen announced yesterday that he would be stepping down from his Ministerial role and from his position as TD for Waterford because of chronic back pain.

It means there are now three by-elections looming – in Waterford, Donegal South-West and in Dublin South following the resignation of former Fine Gael TD George Lee last month.

Donegal South West has been without a third deputy for over nine months following the election of Fianna Fáil’s Pat The Cope Gallagher to European Parliament last June.

Sinn Féin Donegal Senator Pearse Doherty intends to stand for his party in the by-election.

He said the Government must not delay setting a date for Donegal any longer.

Following a meeting with Northwest MEP’s in Brussels last week, the Chairman of the IFA Flood Project Team will appear before the Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Environment today.

Michael Silke will outline measures needed to avoid the devastation caused by the extensive flooding last November.

Parts of county Leitrim were some of the worst affected areas with Carrick on Shannon bearing the brunt of the bad weather.

A number of County Managers are also due to appear before the Oireachtas Committee later today.

Mr.Silke outlines what farmers hope to achieve from today’s meeting.

Elanco, the animal health unit of a major American Pharmaceutical company has announced a substantial investment in the company which manufactures vetinary vaccines and other animal products.

They will take over the plant based in Finisklin which has been in operation since 1990

Tanaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Mary Coughlan has this morning welcomed the move which she says paves the way for future expansion.

The Donegal Family Resource Centre has organised the meeting which is being held in the Central Hotel at 8pm.

Speakers will include members of the Gardai, the North West Alcohol Forum and the North West Regional Drugs Task Force.

It comes in the wake of a meeting over head shops held in Donegal Town last week.

Chairman of the Donegal Family Resource Centre, Jim McLaughlin says while herbal highs are an issue, tonight’s meeting is aimed at formulating a community strategy in waging the war against substance abuse.