Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 October 2016
241. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if his Department has received a report on the extent of land folios existing here with appurtenant seaweed harvesting rights attached to them; and the way these may interact with current legislation or the proposed marine area and foreshore amendment Bill; and if he will be making that report available to the Houses of the Oireachtas. [28542/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department sought the advice of the Office of the Attorney General on the interaction between the Foreshore Act and any relevant appurtenant rights, that is, rights that attach to a piece of land close to the foreshore to collect or harvest seaweed. In addition, my Department engaged with the Property Registration Authority of Ireland, PRAI, to attempt to establish the extent of appurtenant rights specified in Land Registry folios to harvest seaweed that may exist. The PRAI provided my Department with data detailing the extent of the rights in seven of the western seaboard counties, namely, Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Clare, Galway, Mayo and Donegal. This was a complex task, given the manner in which the requested data is held by the PRAI and having regard to both the PRAI's and my Department's obligations under data protection legislation.
From information provided by the PRAI, it is clear that many appurtenant rights to collect seaweed exist, and the implications of such rights regarding the harvesting applications before my Department and the proposed Maritime Area and Foreshore (Amendment) Bill are being assessed.
