The official start of General Election campaigns took place today for high-profile Progressive Democrat and Green Party candidates in the south east.
Green Party deputy leader and election candidate Mary White
Green Party deputy leader Cllr Mary White promised to make Carlow the first energy-efficient town in Ireland.
Opening her campaign for the election, expected in May, Ms White said she would support the drive to develop an ethanol factory in Carlow to replace the former Greencore sugar factory that closed last year.
"I will ensure that Carlow becomes the first energy efficient town in Ireland, producing our own electricity from biofuels and bio mass. This will give us a competitive edge over many other towns, support inward investment and boost farm incomes through the development of fuel and energy crops," Ms White said.
The Green Party candidate also said she would fight for an upgraded rail service and support infrastructure for the people of the area.
Colm O'Gorman standing in the General Election for the Progressive Democrats
The Progressive Democrats also opened a campaign for Colm O'Gorman, its candidate in Wexford.
Mr O'Gorman is a long-time campaigner on child sexual abuse issues and heads the organisation One in Four.
Speaking today, Mr O'Gorman said he would work for the establishment of a university for the south east region. He said he believed the upgrading of the Waterford Institute of Technology was a "vital component to the revitalisation of County Wexford.
"County Wexford has one of the lowest levels of uptake of third level education in Ireland. I believe that the absence of a university in the region is a significant impediment to the economic and social development of Wexford.
Mr O'Gorman's campaign was unveiled by deputy leader of the Progressive Democrats Liz O'Donnell.