Representatives opposed to the development of a gold processing plant in Greencastle, Co Tyrone, gathered at Stormont on Tuesday, 16 February.

Sinn Féin MLA Declan McAleer said the views of the local community "need to be listened to".

Mr McAleer said: "On Monday, I raised the issue during Environment Ministers question time. And we held meetings accompanied by members of the group with Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, Agriculture & Rural Development Minister Michelle O'Neill, Environment Minister Mark Durkan and the chair of the Environment Committee Anna Lo.

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"The Executive Ministers and Anna Lo were left in absolutely no doubt about the strength of feeling and concern in the community about this proposed development.

"Given the potentially negative impact of the proposal on this rural area, the DARD Minister Michelle O'Neill will pay a ministerial visit to the area to see for herself the scale of what is proposed and report this back to her Executive colleagues."

(CD/LM)