Tony McLoughlin (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

That is a valid point because what is being fed back to me is that there is some interest working here, and it is causing major concern and distress to companies I know personally in my constituency of Sligo. These companies manufacture, employ, support local enterprise and contribute financially to this country through taxation, and the sale of companies that have been heavily subsidised by the Irish taxpayer to foreign businesses is a worrying trend. More worrying is the access these companies demand to an Irish resource without expense or a contribution to the Irish tax system. Future growth relies upon continued secure access to this renewable resource. Local companies I know have harvested in the same areas for the past 15 years and have been able to demonstrate an ability to avoid doing damage and maintain the integrity of the biomass over the years. My concern is that foreign companies might not have the same vested interest in protecting the future viability of Irish resources. Mr. Melvin might comment on those concerns.

There is deep uncertainty about the granting of harvesting licences, and the term of the licences means that some of these local companies are unable to seek investment. If someone is waiting six, eight or 12 months for a licence it can cause difficulties in terms of seeking funding or additional investment from lending institutions. Some of these companies may be unable to seek investment as investors are concerned that they have no long-term guaranteed access to seaweed resources.

It is vitally important that this committee listens to what the witnesses have said and proceeds with the recommendations. Would Mr. Melvin agree that the granting of long-term licences with conditions would allow these local companies to secure future commercial investment and allow them expand their businesses? He mentioned that there are 40 people employed in his company. I know that during the summer it employs quite a number of people on both a part-time and a full-time basis. Voya employs approximately 40 people. These companies are very concerned. Without security of access to the raw material, does Mr. Melvin agree that it represents too much of a risk for potential investors? A local company harvesting less than 25% of the available biomass in the granted area needs access to a greater number of areas to ensure that delicate balances are achieved.

This committee should recommend that companies involved in the seaweed harvesting business that have a proven track record in corporate governance and a high level of regard for the environment should be considered as a consultative body with regard to future legislative moves in this area.