Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Some 7,000 people know about this issue and have signed the petition. Tourists and locals visit our shores. I am from the west and know about the thriving and important business that has developed around foraging, seaweeds and the extraordinary festivals such as Food on the Edge, which is a whole new way of appreciating marine life, leading to a really important and sustainable level of high engagement by the food industries and small craft food industries. This is the big picture.

We are asking the Minister of State to act and take urgent action now. An environment which has existed for thousands of years can change in five or ten years. We are also talking about the wonderful resilience that was described. Let us show that we are in tune with it. I ask the Minister of State to support the motion, because our motion is very constructive. I thank all those who have spoken on the motion. I hope we will all get into the sea in a few months time.