THE Irish Island Federation has accused the Government of refusing to provide safe regular transport to English speaking islands.
Comhdhail Oileain na hEireann cites the Bere Island route in Co Cork, which receives no assistance during the winter in spite of the deaths of four people there in February 1994.
The organisation, which represents 22 islands, called on the Minister of State with responsibility for island development, Mr Donal Carey, to address the transport issue following a special meeting in Spiddal, Co Galway, at the weekend.
Ms Patricia Quinn, the federation spokeswoman, said yesterday Irish speaking islands were assisted through the Department of the Gaeltacht and Udaras na Gaeltachta. However, new safety standards for passenger ferries, introduced after the Castletownbere ferry accident, have added to the financial burden faced in winter by operators serving the non Irish speaking islands.
"The Department of the Marine has been very vigilant on safety, and we are very grateful for that," Ms Quinn said. "But the ferry owners who will continue the service to the islands at a loss during, the winter find that they can't win and at some stage we fear they are going to call a halt."
The federation has also criticised Mr Carey's handling of a £1 million grant to improve island access. Ms Quinn said the £1 million was distributed through local authorities yet some administrations specifically Mayo Co Council failed to take islanders' requests into account in drawing, up priorities.
For instance, Mayo County Council sent in an estimate for a car park at Roonagh pier for Clare Island at a cost of £75,000. This was not even requested by the Clare Islanders."
A spokesman for the Minister said £700,000 had been sanctioned and there would be a further allocation before Christmas.
