Mr. Séamus Mac Eochaidh:

The strategic partnership element arises from the fact that on 7 May, 100% of the shares belonging to údaras transferred to Acadian Seaplants for the consideration agreed. To ensure the conditions of sale with regard to investment were completed to our satisfaction, a mechanism was put in place following extensive legal and accounting advice which entitled údaras to claw back up to 40% of the company should the conditions not be made. It would not be to acquire them, as Deputy Pringle postulated. It would be a clawback at no cost to the údaras but at a loss to the new owners of Arramara Teoranta. From our perspective we are happy that fulfils what we tried to set out to achieve in the partnership. It will continue to the extent where the conditions are met.

It might be important to put something else on the record with regard to Deputy Pringle's view that if it is not broken, why fix it? We had some discussions with the Department on the licensing issue, which is complicated, and the Department is moving very carefully and slowly with it. It is cognisant of the difficulties. The Minister has prevented people from harvesting. People may think this is a one-way street but in the absence of licensing, harvesters can and have been prevented from working, which is not a satisfactory outcome for anybody.