Derek Nolan (Galway West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Mar a dúirt mé cheana, tá a lán ceisteanna le freagairt agus luaigh an tAire Stáit sin sa fhreagra. Táim ag iarraidh uirthi cruinniú a eagrú le Teachtaí Dála as Gaillimh Thiar chun caint faoi na fadhbanna agus faoin imní atá ar an bpobal.

I thank the Minister of State for her reply. I acknowledge that the remit of her Department only covers part of the matter. The Department is seeking legal advice as to its obligations. I ask if the Minister of State would agree to meet Members from the Galway West constituency who have attended these meetings and if Deputy Dinny McGinley, the Minister of State with responsibility for the Gaeltacht, could be invited to the meeting in order to be given a holistic view on this issue which would result in a productive working group to air these issues. The practice of collecting seaweed and the foreshore legislation have been in place for many years. As the situation evolves, the structures may need to change. Many families and individuals have engaged in this way of life for years. I ask the Minister of State to agree to a meeting with Members from Galway West, and I ask her to invite her colleague Deputy McGinley to attend the meeting. Such a meeting would air these issues so that the Government is seen to work with these communities and not against them.

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