A Leitrim Councillor has launched scathing attack on the sitting North West TD's and Junior Ministers over their lack of action in championing environmental issues such as opposition to gold mining.

Councillor Eddie Mitchell has already tabled a motion with the Local Authority in Leitrim calling for Ministers Helen McEntee and Jim O'Callaghan, to withdraw so called 'investor protection which offers a safety net to companies involved in such practices.

The Independent Councillor claims that since Minster Harkin was appointed a Junior Minister the region has lost a strong voice for the environment.

He accused the government of effectively of destroying the possibility of banning gold mining by their lack of action.