Green Party Deputy Leader Calls for 'New Thinking' on Quality of Life issues in South Wicklow

Tess Enright (left) and Mary White (right) during their tour of Arklow

"Arklow and South County Wicklow face many of the same problems as other towns and rural areas within commuting range of Dublin", said Mary White. "Long commutes, congested traffic and large new housing estates without local services are the daily reality of many people", she said. "People have less time to spend with their families or to become involved in community life and this can have a serious negative effect on their quality of life".

Mary White pointed to solutions such as more local work opportunities - particularly jobs in which local people fulfil local needs. She also identified better public transportation, more integrated planning and more support for community groups and organisations as ways to address quality of life issues.

Arklow Green Party election candidate Tess Enright gave the Green Party Deputy Leader a tour of the town and briefed her on local issues in South Wicklow area, including illegal dumping, planning, water quality and the need for local nursing care for the Arklow area to relieve pressure from St. Colmcille's hospital in Loughlinstown.

Both candidates also examined the aftermath of the recent fire in the Arklow marsh area, including the possible effects of burning pipelines from the old IFI factory. "This fire and the possible pollution from burning pipelines show the importance of ensuring that the site of the IFI factory is fully cleaned-up and does not pose a health or environmental threat to future generations of Arklow people", said Tess Enright.

Mary White was visiting Arklow as part of her campaign to retain the Green Party's Leinster seat in the European Parliament currently held by Nuala Ahern, MEP from Greystones. Originally from Bray, she is currently a poll-topping councillor in Carlow. Mary White is the first Deputy Leader of the Green Party and has served as the party's Spokesperson for Agriculture.

Tess Enright is the Wicklow Green Party's candidate for the Arklow and South Wicklow area in the upcoming local elections. She has been an active campaigner on a range of local issues, including illegal dumping, and is secretary of her local community and resident's group.

For further information please contact:
Tess Enright on 087-781 9043; email: enright@wicklowgreens.org