The Government has been blamed for threatening the future of Mayo's island, because of a lack of development.

Fianna Fáil made the accusation ahead of the termination of the Local Development Programme, which is to stop at the end of the year.

The programme provides funding for essential services on non-Gaeltacht islands, including Inisturk and Clare Island.

Fianna Fáil TD for Mayo, Dara Calleary, commented: "The removal of this important scheme will potentially have a devastating impact on the lives of islanders.

"Vital services for young people, parents, the elderly and the unemployed will be threatened, essential facilities will be put at risk; and community buildings and grounds will fall into disrepair. Life on the islands as we know it will drastically change, and will see islanders effectively being left to fend for themselves.

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"The Government's attitude towards the islands is completely unacceptable. Instead of nurturing and promoting island life, the Government is long fingering the decision on a programme which provides the core funding to projects that keep island life viable.

"The importance of our islands cannot be underestimated; they offer an additional cultural, heritage and artistic dimension to the country, as well as providing a major tourism boost. It is ironic that despite being an island nation our Government chooses to treat its own islands with disdain.

"The Island Development Programme must be re-instated to ensure that front line services can continue to be delivered. Multi annual funding is essential to ensure the viability of islands, and the Department of the Environment, Community & Local Government should be tasked with having responsibility for the roll-out of schemes to maintain services and secure their future."

(CD/JP)