The Labour and Green parties criticised the Government's decision to wind up the Bantry Bay Charter in west Cork, which was an EU model for coastal zone management.
The Labour Party marine spokesman, Mr Tommy Broughan, has described the decision as "extremely regressive". As reported earlier this week in The Irish Times, the Bantry Bay Charter project has been forced to wind up due to lack of State support. Cork County Council was willing to give €50,000 annually to the overall cost of €179,000 a year if several Government departments were willing to split the balance.
Mr Broughan said Exchequer funding should be provided to continue "this valuable scheme", and the Government should bring forward long-promised legislation on coastal management.
"This is the State's only integrated coastal management initiative, which is a model for the rest of Europe and was unique in achieving the support of Cork County Council and local agricultural, fishing and business interests . . . " Mr Broughan said.
The Green Party accused the Government of a "lack of concern" for Ireland's coastal environment. The party's marine spokesman, Mr Eamon Ryan, said the plan received a high level of interest internationally, and represented Ireland's first and only step in the direction of integrated coastal zone management.