Michelle Mulherin (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I apologise for not being here for the presentation but I was dealing with other business in the Dáil. With regard to funding the State gave to the universities and third level colleges to engage in research and development on seaweed, by-products and so on, people with an interest in this industry who could be classified as being in the start-up category expressed a concern to me that such funding is being monopolised by existing companies engaged in processing seaweed and other by-products of it. What criteria are applied to the granting of such funding? What provision is made for start-ups to cater for people with new ideas and ensure there is not a monopoly in the industry or, as was said to be, a cosy cartel between the universities and established businesses?