Keira Keogh (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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172. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the measures his Department is taking to protect local coastal communities and their seaweed harvesting rights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23243/26]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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The enactment of the Marine Area Planning (MAP) Act, 2021 initiated the transition to a new Maritime Regulatory Regime overseen by the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority (MARA). This has led to the gradual phasing out of operations under the Foreshore Act of 1933 (as amended), with new foreshore applications no longer accepted since the MARA’s establishment.

Applicants may apply to the MARA for a licence to harvest seaweed, in accordance with Schedule 7 of the Maritime Area Planning Act 2021, which provides for Maritime Usages that may be undertaken pursuant to the granting of a Licence.

However, Minister of State at my Department, Timmy Dooley, T.D. met with representatives and individual traditional seaweed harvesters recently and recognised the important role that traditional seaweed harvesting plays in our rural, coastal communities. Minister Dooley has asked officials to examine the regulatory framework that is currently in place, to ensure it is appropriate to adequately safeguard holders of traditional seaweed harvesting rights.