Fire-fighting facilities are to be located on Mayo's islands following a triple tragedy on Inishbofin, Co Galway, in July 1999.
Three sisters died in the blaze. A lack of fire-fighting equipment hampered rescuers getting to the victims.
Since then, local authorities have been pressing for funding to provide training and vehicular support so that outbreaks on the country's 33 inhabited outposts can be tackled.
A three-part initiative to have a fire-fighting service on the islands is under way. Work on developing a comprehensive operation, which until now has been virtually non-existent, has been ongoing since the Inishbofin blaze.
The hope is that, when finance becomes available, the two larger Clew Bay islands, Clare Island and Inishturk, will have fully operational fire engines and trained personnel - a move that could coincide with, but is not solely reliant on, the development of airstrips on the outposts.
According to Mr Donal O'Shea, development officer for Clare Island, close consultation has taken place with the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands and with the chief fire officer for Mayo County Council, Mr Seamus Murphy, to get the service .
Mr O'Shea said: "Since the disaster on Inishbofin there has been a drive to have a proper fire service for the islands which are particularly vulnerable. The first step in this process was the supplying of two smoke alarms for every house and this has been done."
Mr O'Shea, who is chairman of the Clew Bay Islands Committee, said this was organised in conjunction with the fire chief.
"Having put in place an alert system, the next step will be the installation of fire extinguishers in every island home in the bay.
"The third step is to organise a fire tender for the larger islands in particular. This is not just a question of supplying fire engines but of firstly training people and putting insurance in place."
On Clare Island and Inishturk, fire tenders will have the dual purpose of servicing proposed airstrips and the island homes.
Mr O'Shea added: "As soon as finance is available, this process will get under way. It is up to the Department to push for it."