Seaweed Harvesting Potential

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 March 2015

Thursday, 26 March 2015

Questions (248, 249)

Michelle Mulherin

Question:

248. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on whether moving the administration and issue of seaweed harvesting licences to local authorities or other municipal entities would unduly fragment the accountability and responsibilities of private enterprise engaged in this activity, and that the preference should be to keep a national focus in the development of our seaweed industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12516/15]

Michelle Mulherin

Question:

249. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the State's legal position on historical seaweed rights being asserted by certain landowners along the foreshore and the extent of these rights; the consequent restriction or impact on the State's ability to issue licences for seaweed harvesting to third parties along these sections of foreshore; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12517/15]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government

I propose to take Questions Nos. 248 and 249 together.

I have no statutory role in the promotion or development of the seaweed industry. Under the Foreshore Act 1933, I am responsible for regulating only the harvesting of wild seaweed. The harvesting of cultivated seaweed is a matter for the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

The regulation of wild seaweed harvesting is currently under consideration in the context of the proposed Maritime Area and Foreshore (Amendment) Bill. Any regulatory regime must seek to balance existing rights and commercial potential while ensuring sustainability of the resource and compliance with the State's obligations under EU environmental law. In that regard, the interaction between the Foreshore Act 1933 and traditional rights to harvest seaweed that may exist in certain places is under consideration by my Department in the context of advice from the Office of the Attorney General.