The Mayo Association has added its voice to demands for a review of terms under which mineral exploration companies work off the Irish coastline.
The association, which comprises over 7,000 members worldwide, says it is worried about an "endemic" lack of interest in potential opportunities off the west coast. Previous governments' handling of fishing resources off this coastline "does not indicate a good track record", the association says in the editorial to the current Mayo Association Year Book.
"We feel very strongly, now that the Irish economy is thriving, that Leinster House should be seriously positive and set out to reverse the great neglect towards creating employment in Mayo throughout the 20th century," the association's year book editor, Mr John F Higgins, says.
He questions the Government's "ability to weigh up and analyse the tremendous opportunities being opened up by the hydrocarbon exploration now carried out around the Orkneys, the Rockall basin and down the west coast".
The association compares the situation here with Norway, a state which gained its independence at a similar time to Ireland and one with a similar population size. "Both Norway and the United Kingdom encouraged involvement of their coastal communities, notably around Stavanger and Aberdeen. The Norwegian government now has a net reserve built up of €75 billion for the benefit of its citizens.
"The Norwegian government went through difficult times with its various investments, but it never gave up because it had patience, belief and was not in too much of a hurry. We were horrified during the year to learn that the Irish Government sold off their interest in the Irish National Petroleum Corporation (INPC) to a US company, Tosco."
Mayo Person of the Year 2002 has been awarded to Mr Johnny Mee, Castlebar, for his work on providing facilities for people with special needs.