An application for a camp site on the Great Blasket Island off Co Kerry looks set to be withdrawn. A management committee drawn up to plan for the future of the island wants camping to be prohibited altogether if a camp site is not allowed.
A spokesman for the committee said random camping, as is the case at the moment, cannot be allowed to continue in the interests of conservation and protection of the island's ruins, and they had reluctantly come to the conclusion it should be prohibited altogether.
Camping on the Great Blasket is the issue which has attracted most submissions from the public in the latest consultation phase on the future of the island.
There have been pleas from holidaymakers, diving clubs and others who regularly camp on the island to continue to allow camping there.
The submissions were received during the public consultation phase of the county development draft plan.
There had been a proposal for a small camp site by the island's majority land owners, An Blascaod Mór Teoranta. In fact, this application was the catalyst for recent conservation measures on the island. It has been deferred while lengthy consultations on the island's future have been taking place over the past two years.
It is understood the application, which is due for decision in late October, will be withdrawn, providing there is an outright ban on camping on the island.
Some €8.5 million Government funding has been set aside to develop the island as a UNESCO world heritage site.
Mr Mick Loftus, of the Irish Underwater Council - which represents over 80 diving clubs in Ireland - wants informal camping to continue.
Diving clubs were aware of environmental issues and have always treated the island with respect and cleaned up after themselves, he said in a submission.
There is also a submission from a Co Cork family who have camped on the island over the years. They are concerned that the proposal does not take into account the wishes of people such as themselves who go to the Blasket Island every year to enjoy the unique island experience gained only through camping there. They requested a non-formal/non-commercial area away from the village to facilitate a small number of campers.
However, the recommendation from planners in all cases is "to prohibit the development of a camp site on the island". The local area plan for the Blasket Island goes back before the public now for a final four-week period. A new pier on the island is likely to get under way in April of next year. The old pier will be preserved alongside.
Meanwhile, a weekend commemoration on the leaving of the Great Blasket 50 years ago will take place at the heritage centre, Ionad an Bhlascaoid, on the mainland, in Dunquinn, on 10th-12th October.
The proceedings will include lectures, exhibitions and performances.