Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

This issue relates to the cutting of seaweed along the coasts of Ireland, particularly the west coast, a tradition that has been going on for many years. Traditionally, people who cut seaweed do so on a particular strip of the foreshore, which is not then cut by any other person. The old Irish saying, "spite feamainne" was used when rows broke out because some people had cut into other people's strips on the foreshore, etc.

I am aware of recent media reports of letters being sent by the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government to people who are cutting seaweed indicating that in future they will require licences to do so.

This is a new occurrence and seaweed cutters are wondering why this has begun to happen. In addition, people have been examining the issue and they noticed that a number of companies have applied to the Department for licences. According to my research, four different applications are in train at the moment: one in Donegal; one from Arramara Teoranta, which covers the shoreline from Belmullet in County Mayo down to Clare; and two others, one of which affects Clew Bay and the other affects some limited seaweed cutting in Connemara.
In the last week, the seaweed cutters have organised two public meetings in Connemara which were attended by big crowds. Quite a few elected representatives were also there. The seaweed cutters are concerned that their livelihoods will be affected by any changes that may come forward. There have been questions over the legality of cutting. We know that the foreshore itself is in the ownership of the State, so where do people stand who may have a folio stating that they own part of the foreshore? Does the latter group have different rights to those who only cut and sell seaweed to the factories? People were seeking clarification of those issues.
In a broader scenario, people are also concerned that Arramara Teoranta, which is a State-owned company under the auspices of Údarás na Gaeltachta, is being sold off as a State asset. We understand that negotiations are going on with a Canadian company that wishes to by it. The seaweed cutters are concerned that a licence regime is being introduced whereby Arramara Teoranta will get the licence which will then be sold on to the private Canadian company. We will therefore be selling off seaweed cutting rights to a private entity. The cutters are worried that in those circumstances they will not have much control over when, where and how the seaweed can be cut, as well as the price involved.
There are genuine concerns about this matter all along the west coast, so I would welcome any clarification the Minister can give us on the legal situation. Where do people stand legally if they own a folio which says they have a legal right to the foreshore vis-à-visthose who do not have such a right but cut generally on the foreshore?