Green Party Leader on Pre-Election Visit to County Wicklow

A visit to the illegal dump in Whitestown, Baltinglass and a meeting with the Arklow Flood Action Committee formed part of a hectic schedule by Green Party Leader, Trevor Sargent when he arrived in County Wicklow today on a pre-election tour with party candidate, Deirdre de Burca.

Deputy Sargent listened to the concerns of the Arklow Flood Action committee who recently criticised the delay in releasing a report on flooding in the town commissioned by Wicklow County Council and the Government. While the report was scheduled to be released in April it now seems that it will not be available until after the general election. The committee is calling for an early warning system, the dredging of the Avoca river and the installation of flap valves on pipes discharging into the Avoca river.

The Deputy and councillor de Burca also visited the Arklow Community Arts centre to view the ESB environmental photography exhibition.They also discussed the chronic underfunding of the centre. They were told that despite providing a wide variety of classes, exhibitions and special events attended by thousands of people and contributing greatly to the quality of community life in Arklow, the Community Arts Centre has received almost no funding from the government and survives only on members fees, commissions and donations.

Before leaving Arklow Deputy Sargent canvassed Main Street with councillor de Burca, dropping into WicklowToday.com, meeting independent Arklow UDC councillor Vincent McElheron and visiting local small businesses.