Environment Committee to focus on the licensing and harvesting of sea

Michael McCarthy TD, Chairman of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht, said: “Tomorrow, we will focus on issues around licensing to harvest seaweed and the legislation governing the collecting seaweed from our foreshores, as well as considering the harvesting of naturally grown seaweed sector and the concept of developing a farmed seaweed sector. The seaweed industry, which is closely linked with the Gaeltacht, comprises both traditional, wild, naturally grown and cultivated or farmed seaweed. Ireland’s seaweed and biotechnology sector is currently worth approximately €18 million per annum with a target in place to grow the sector to €30 million by 2020 as outlined in the Marine Institute Sea Change Strategy 2006, so it is timely and important that we consider matters in relation to licencing and harvesting of seaweed.”

Those attending the meeting are:

Carraig Fhada Seaweed
Mr Damien Melvin
Mr Frank Melvin

Bioatlantis Ltd
Mr John O’Sullivan, Chief Executive Officer,
Mr Brian Fanning,
Dr Kieran Guinan,
Dr William O’Connor, Ecofact Environmental Consultants Ltd.

Brandon Products Ltd
Mr Paul Mullins.

MB Quinn Ltd
Mr Micheál Quinn, Managing Director.
Ocean Harvest Technology
Dr Stefan Krann, Managing Director.

Arramara Teoranta
Jean-Paul Deveau Uasal, Cathaoirleach,
Dónall Mac Giolla Bhríde Uasal, Bainisteoir Ginearálta
An Doctúir Raul Ugarte, Taighdeoir Sinsearach, Acadian Seaplants Ltd,
Rex Hunter Uasal, Leas Uachtarán, Bainistiú Acmhainní, Acadian Seaplants Ltd,
An Bhean Uasal Linda Theriault, Stiúrthóir, Caidreamh Poiblí agus Rialtais, Acadian Seaplants Ltd,

Cearta Cladaigh Chonamara
John Bhaba Jeaic Ó Conghaile Uasal

Irish Seaweed Processors Ltd
Mr Tony Barrett, Chief Executive Officer.

Údarás na Gaeltachta
Steve Ó Cualáin Uasal, Príomhfheidhmeannach,
Séamus Mac Eochaidh Uasal, Bainisteoir Fiontraiochta.

This meeting will start in Committee Room 4, Leinster House at 2.15pm tomorrow, Tuesday, 8th July 2014.

Committee proceedings can be followed live here.

Committee proceedings can also be viewed on the move, through the Houses of the Oireachtas Smartphone App, available for Apple and Android devices.


Media enquiries to:

Ciaran Brennan,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Communications Unit,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2

P: +3531 618 3903
M: 086-0496518
F: +3531 618 4551
Email: Ciaran.brennan@oireachtas.ie

Membership of the Joint Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht

Deputies: James Bannon TD (Fine Gael); Paudie Coffey TD (Fine Gael); Noel Coonan (Fine Gael) Leas-Chathaoirleach; Ruth Coppinger (Socialist Party); Marcella Corcoran Kennedy TD (Fine Gael); Barry Cowen (Fianna Fáil); Kevin Humphreys TD (Labour); Michael McCarthy TD (Labour) Cathaoirleach; Sandra McLellan TD (Sinn Féin); Tony Mc Loughlin TD (Fine Gael); Michelle Mulherin TD (Fine Gael); Catherine Murphy TD (Independent); Gerald Nash TD (Labour); Seán Ó Fearghaíl TD;  Brian Stanley TD (Sinn Féin).

Senators: Senator Cáit Keane (Fine Gael) Senator Denis Landy (Labour); An Seanadóir Fiach Mac Conghail (Neamhspleách); Senator Catherine Noone (Fine Gael); An Seanadóir Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fáil): Senator Ned O’Sullivan (Fianna Fáil).