A Sligo-Leitrim, North Roscommon and South Donegal TD says years of government neglect is beginning to manifest in census figures that shows the population of Killybegs and Ballyshannon have decreased over the last 30 years.
Data compiled in 2022 compared to the numbers recorded in the census figures of 1991 show the population in Ballyshannon has decreased by 592 while Killybegs has also seen a decrease of 264.
They are the only towns and villages in the Ocean FM franchise area with a population of over 1,000 people to have decreased in population in that period of time.
Independent TD Marc MacSharry says changes to the fishing industry and the closure of a number of factories is leading to the reduction of figures:
