Mr. Seamus Mac Eochaidh:

I can confirm categorically that there was no understanding that Acadian Seaplants would be the beneficiary of a licence. This question has been asked many times, for example, through the parliamentary questions process, and we have dealt with it. It was made clear in one such reply that there was no question of selling harvesting rights to anybody or any company. Údarás na Gaeltachta sold its shares in Arramara to Acadian Seaplants. Údarás na Gaeltachta did not have a licence. Arramara does not have a licence. There was no way anybody could give anybody an understanding. There were no discussions publicly, privately or otherwise.

I can confirm to the committee that it was purely a sale of our shares in the company. I confirm that is what Acadian Seaplants Limited bought and that prior to the sale, the board of Arramara Teoranta decided it should seek a licence under the foreshore Acts. That was an independent decision by the board of Arramara Teoranta.