Sinn Féin's Matt Carthy is supporting the rally organised by grassroots activists against the construction of industrial wind turbines and electricity pylons.

The Midlands Northwest candidate will attend the rally tomorrow in Dublin and has encouraged all those who are concerned about the future of their communities to come out and send a strong message to the government.

Speaking in advance of the event Councillor Carthy said: "Today's rally is an opportunity to send the government a strong message – that communities will not be ignored on the issue of electricity pylons and industrial wind turbines.

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"Despite the apparent shelving of plans to construct large industrial wind farms across the midlands, concern still exists for the future. The government last week supported a Sinn Féin Bill that would implement strict guidelines for any future plans to construct these turbines but it is important that this important piece of legislation is not left sitting on a shelf. It should be enacted in full as a matter of urgency.

"There are still significant concerns among communities regarding the proposed construction of pylon-supported overhead power lines across large parts of the country. Residents are worried about the impact these pylons will have on the environment, peoples' health, farming and the local economy.

"Sinn Féin is calling for an independent cost-benefit analysis on the placing underground of pylon-supported cables to be conducted without delay. We are also calling on the government to direct EirGrid to refrain from submitting planning applications until the government's inquiry panel has concluded its work."

(CD/JP)