Mayo may have a declining and ageing population but it can become a "model for sustainable development", according to a 10-year strategy drawn up for the western county.
Much will depend on the "urgent need" to establish closer links and stronger co-operation between the county's larger towns to achieve a "competitive advantage" and "critical mass", the study states.
The existence of several positive factors - including large and medium-sized urban areas, Knock International Airport, the Gaeltacht, a strong community ethos and the proposed western rail corridor - could "maximise" the county's potential, the strategy says.
The study was drawn up by the Mayo County Development Board,which held its first implementation meeting in Pontoon, Co Mayo, on Monday. The 1996 Census showed that Mayo had a population of 111,524, representing 3 per cent of the national total - and showing a 3.2 per cent decline on 1986. In the same decade, national population rose by 2.4 per cent.
The average population density of the county, at 52 people per square mile, was less than half the national figure of 135 people per square mile.
Ballina and Castlebar are the most densely populated electoral districts, while Glenco and Srahmore are the most sparsely populated.
The strategy says that the declining level of population overall is a "major cause for concern", but emphasises the need to develop a wide variety of initiatives, actions and programmes which will retain young people who are intent on leaving the county.
The study involved consultation with a range of Government and State local development bodies and the community and voluntary sector. It recommends developing a local spatial strategy model as a first step.
The strategy singles out transport as one of several key infrastructural areas requiring improvement, and it supports development of the western rail corridor linking Sligo to Limerick and Shannon Airport.
It identifies 11 goals and 39 objectives as central to a "shared vision" of the county's future, and describes Mayo as a "great place in which to work, invest and visit".
It also identifies over 300 actions which must be carried out before these goals and objectives can be achieved. Mr John Coll, director of services, says the strategy represents a new departure for the county, and one which does not necessarily depend on large amounts of State funding. "The priority is integration, which will in turn give us a competitive advantage," Mr Coll said yesterday. "That in itself could save on resources." Many of the short-term actions listed could be met by the first deadline of the end of 2004, he said.
The strategy will also be used to inform national policy. It has been submitted to a task force on integration chaired by the Minister for the Environment and Local Government, Mr Cullen, which involves representatives of all Departments.