Mr. Séamus Mac Eochaidh:

I can categorically say "No." In fact, when we acquired the company, the first thing we noticed was that Údarás was the landlord and owned the buildings, but all the company had was outdated manufacturing equipment which had been in place for 30 or 40 years and a network of suppliers. That network of suppliers to Arramara Teoranta extends to 250 to 300 local people. Some people cut actively, while some cut for the Christmas period. The manager we had put in place pro temporecame back to us after approximately two years and said, "Really Arramara Teoranta is like a bank. When people need money, they cut seaweed, bring it to Arramara Teoranta and get money for it." That is a weakness also because how does one develop an industry when one is depending on suppliers who only supply when it suits them?
There are two issues I should bring to the Deputy's attention in that regard. During the economic boom, when people could go to building sites in Galway and earn €700 to €900 per week for assisting a bricklayer or whoever else, it was very hard to get seaweed. We had this manufacturing plant but no supply. Now - the new owners have said this - the existing generation of harvesters are all people of my age. The big challenge is to make the industry attractive for a new generation of harvesters who can see that they can make a living from it and live in their communities. Supply is the issue. The weed is on the rocks and there is plenty of it, but it is no good unless it is being harvested.
No harvesting rights were sold because we did not have harvesting rights to sell. Arramara Teoranta still does not have harvesting rights. The Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government controls the harvesting rights.