I will oppose industrial wind farming in South Wicklow in the Dáil – Casey
Published on: 26 January 2016
Fianna Fáil First Time General Election Candidate Cllr Pat Casey held a public meeting in Annacurra Hall on Friday 18th January at 8pm. Residents of the area gathered to engage with the first time Dáil candidate on the issues facing rural South Wicklow.
The number 1 issue from the meeting was the continuing saga of the proposed Industrial scale windfarm in the Annacurra, Preban and Ballinglen areas. Cllr Casey made a firm commitment stating his opposition to any industrial scale windfarm in the area stating “I have worked all my life in developing tourism in Wicklow and it simply makes no sense whatsoever to put one of our biggest strengths at risk by polluting our landscape with these turbines. I have worked closely with Cllr Pat Kennedy and local residents to prevent this and I will continue to do so if elected to the Dáil.”
“Fine Gael and Labour in Government have ignored the concerns of rural Ireland and the issue of industrial wind farming is a perfect example of how they have attempted to force this policy on rural communities. I want to see local communities and local representatives empowered so that they can contribute to their own future development.
“When I see local residents being told they can’t build a family home because of dubious planning concerns and yet this Government wants to see industrial turbines, there is a lack of fairness that cannot continue. I want a fair deal for South Wicklow whether it comes to wind farming, housing, roads, crime and employment – South Wicklow has been ignored by Fine Gael and Labour on every point. I will work with my fellow Cllrs Pat Kennedy, Pat Fitzgerald and Tommy Annesley as a team to deliver for South Wicklow. That’s my pledge”
Cllr Casey added “I have worked and lived in Wicklow all my life. I have managed a family run business through the toughest recession maintaining over 60 jobs. I have been an elected Cllr for eleven years with a track record of working with everybody to improve services for the people of Wicklow. I don’t believe in just sitting on the fence and complaining – I am in politics to get things done. That’s why I want to work for the people of Wicklow and East Carlow in Dáil Eireann to ensure that are not left behind while others recover.”