Mr. Sean Ó Mocháin:

We talked about the Chinese buying up loads of land for fracking. Chile was also mentioned. If one has co-operatives of harvesters who can negotiate contracts with suppliers and processors, that solves that problem. It will not necessarily occur. It is very important that these things are done in a way that is sustainable but that protects the local communities. The local communities will protect the asset.

The Senator said it is a valuable asset. It is not a valuable asset; it is an invaluable asset. In terms of losing this one like we lost our fish, when I was a young fellow, I could get mackerel, pollack, etc., on the shore for my dinner but one cannot do that anymore because the Spaniards have come in. The EU has come in and taken everything from us and we let it happen. We must not let that happen to our seaweed. The only way to protect it is to keep it in the hands of the local people who will protect it and control it because it is in their vested interest and that of their families that it continues to be there.

There is another problem, which Mr. Deveau mentioned, namely, a hypothetical 100,000 tonnes. What happens when one reaches that 100,000 tonnes because there is huge demand and huge growth? The 25% was mentioned. If, at the end of the day, it gets to a stage where it is at the ceiling and it cannot get enough, will it still supply its competitors in the same way it did before when there was plenty? Will it cut its own throat? If the control is with the suppliers, the harvesters, they will sell to the people who will pay them. It is then up to the free market. If one pays the money, one gets the stuff but if one does not, one does not and somebody else gets it. However, it is there and it is available. Mr. Deveau is quite correct. He said he was against monopolies. Then we should not give the monopoly of a licence.