Mr. Paul Mullins:

One of the reasons the issue of exclusivity keeps reappearing is accountability. We are not talking about exclusivity for its own sake - exclusivity allows for the accountable management of the resource and it is very difficult to have accountability where more than one entity harvests in a specific location. That is not to say exclusivity must be extensive, as it can apply to small pockets.

I support the comments on Údarás na Gaeltachta and I find the behaviour of that organisation in this process mind-boggling. It defies logic that Údarás na Gaeltachta did not look at the national interest, and I have made this point to the Minister in several communications and to the organisation itself. Its behaviour has been disturbingly disappointing.