Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Cuirim céad fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. Táim an-sásta gur eisean atá tagtha isteach leis an cheist seo a phlé mar tuigim gur eisean atá ag plé léi go díreach.

I am happy that the Minister of State, Deputy Coffey, is dealing with this Commencement Matter because I know this is his direct area of responsibility. We have discussed this issue previously and it would be good to get an update on it. The Minister of State will be aware of the background situation. In recent years, there has been much discussion about harvesting seaweed along our coasts. In a previous scenario, a State-owned seaweed company called Arramara Teoranta was under the auspices of Údarás na Gaeltachta. In recent months, however, that company has been sold off to a private company. That is fine in one sense, but there are concerns within the industry over how the resource itself will be managed in future.

About a year ago, I attended a meeting with the then Minister of State, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, on the seaweed licensing regime. Concerns were raised and we met with departmental officials who told us that a number of outstanding licence applications were pending. I am not sure if any of those have been granted or turned down in the meantime. Since then, there have been quite a number of applications for licences.I seek clarification through this mechanism on the number of applications that are with the Department. In fairness to the officials, I know that they work very well with those making applications to make sure all of the information is available and that the t's are crossed and the i's dotted before an application is formalised and posted on the Department's website.

On the number of outstanding applications to be adjudicated on, I appreciate that the Department has a mechanism whereby a vetting committee goes through applications, following which there is a final sign-off by the Minister. The Minister of State might be able to enlighten us on the number of applications outstanding and the timescale envisaged for the processing of applications, be it positive or negative.

There are concerns about some of the applications being submitted in that there may be blanket applications covering a broad spread of the coastline but along the west coast, in particular. I have been a proponent from day one of the idea that the licensing regime should recognise the rights of those who have been cutting seaweed for a very long time. I have also proposed that these seaweed cutters come together to form a co-operative or to work with a not for profit organisation in applying for licences. I understand a number of such applications have been or are in the process of being submitted.

This is still a live issue along the west coast. I am sure the Minister of State is very aware of it, but it appears we have not had much action on it on the part of the Department in the recent past in the issuing of licences. I ask him to outline where we stand on it.