Grace O'Sullivan (Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for the reply. She said that this harvesting is to secure the supply of seaweed but we are arguing that an environmental impact assessment prior to the initiation of mechanical harvesting is required. That is what the people of Bantry Bay are asking for and that is why they are so outraged at the moment; they feel that their voices are not being heard. Enabling the company to go ahead as is would potentially destroy the resource. We are pushing very strongly for sustainable harvesting of seaweed rather than the annihilation of the kelp seabed in Bantry Bay.