Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

That is good to know, but it is not happening. We look at the wonderful policy to ban big trawlers. The whole purpose of that was for ecology and biodiversity, but also to provide sustainable livings for small fishermen on the coast. That policy has gone because of a failure to communicate, even though the court held completely with the rationale behind the policy.

I do not know how long ago I proposed a motion to encourage the development of an indigenous seaweed industry. In respect of wool, all we have so far is the Agile Executive report, which cost €100,000. It was excellent in parts and woolly in others. It set up a wool council. There is enormous potential for the wool industry. Farmers are getting a pittance for the wool. It is regarded as a waste product. Can you imagine? Wool is regarded as a waste product. Seaweed is almost regarded in the same way. There is enormous potential for the circular economy to match the lovely words "born sustainable, born circular". It is like going around in a circle without doing anything.

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