I thank the Deputy for his question. I know of his particular interest in this area. I have met with him and some seaweed harvesters. Indeed, he and I have discussed this in the Seanad previously. I thank him for his advocacy on behalf of those people who are particularly impacted by this and I congratulate him again on his successful election back to this House, where I have no doubt he will make a significant impact as he has in the past, not least on this issue. Ireland's first non-statutory MPPS for all marine planning aspects was published in November 2019, pending the introduction of the national marine planning framework and the enactment of the Maritime Area Planning, MAP, Act 2021. In 2019, the MPPS outlined existing components of the marine planning system and its future vision. It set out the high-level priorities of the enactment of the marine planning system in Ireland. Ireland's national marine planning framework, NMPF, was subsequently adopted in May 2021. The NMPF brings together all marine-based human activities for the first time, outlining the Government's vision, objectives and marine planning policy for each marine activity. All public bodies and consenting authorities are required to have regard to it in exercising their statutory functions. This is intended to ensure that consistency, precautionary and evidence-based decision-making across all Departments and agencies. The objectives of the NMPF in relation to seaweed harvesting are: to support the sustainable harvesting of seaweed, having regard to the important economic and social contribution it makes to coastal communities; develop and maintain a fit-for-purpose regulatory framework that supports sustainable harvesting, ensures that key seaweed species that support multiple vital ecosystems are safeguarded and respects existing formal and informal rights to harvest - I think this last is the nub of where the Deputy is coming from - and support ongoing research to build on available data to support sustainable seaweed harvesting. The Deputy has asked for my view on that, which I have made known to the officials. It is that where people have rights that are established, either by way of documented evidence on folios and other means or through a significant tradition that can be verified insofar as possible, their rights should be respected. We see this from an historical perspective. Coming from a small farm in the west, I am very conscious of parcels of land not always being documented in a manner that would be sufficient to address the ownership or the title deeds, etc. We have to find a methodology of addressing that. Our officials are working on that. The enactment of the MAP Act in 2021 subsequently provided a statutory framework for marine planning policy statements, and following a consultation on a draft statutory MPPS in 2025, that policy statement is currently being finalised and is expected to be brought before the Government in the coming weeks. We had intended and hoped it would be ready for April but it has lagged a little bit. I am aware of the complexities involved in relation to traditional seaweed harvesting, having met and engaged with representatives of the industry, as I did with the Deputy. The Maritime Area Regulatory Authority has also engaged with representatives of the industry and is engaging with the Department in relation to the existing regulatory framework, because that has to be clarified to some extent. In that context, it is important to note that, since the establishment of MARA, applicants may apply to the regulator for a licence to harvest seaweed in accordance with Schedule 7 of the 2021 Act, which provides for maritime usage that may be undertaken pursuant to the granting of a licence. MARA shall, before granting a licence, have regard to any environmental impacts arising, and any Government policies that may affect or relate to the functions of MARA. That is a critical component of this discussion. I would also note that departmental officials are examining the regulatory framework to ensure that it is appropriate to adequately safeguard holders of traditional seaweed harvesting rights.

Sentiment score: 0.23

I want to make the Deputy aware that MARA has a statutory function. It is an independent regulatory authority. I would not be in a position, nor would the law permit me, to influence the work it does. In the adjudication of any licence application, it will have to follow the legislation as it stands and would not be minded to consider what we might be discussing in this House or what any future proposal might be. However, as I indicated to the Deputy, we want to bring forward proposals that would, insofar as possible, provide support to those traditional harvesters in recognition of the rights that have been established over a prolonged period of time. I want officials to pursue it insofar as is legally possible so that we can provide assurances, give recognition of those rights even in circumstances where documented rights are not established on folios, etc., and find a registration process that would comply with the law. In line with the law since MARA's statutory establishment, applicants may apply to the regulator for a licence to harvest seaweed in accordance with Schedule 7 of the 2021 Act, which provides for maritime usage that may be undertaken pursuant to the granting of a licence. Before granting any licence, MARA shall, of course, have regard to any environmental impacts arising. As I said, MARA is within its rights. MARA has a large volume of applications relating to matters right across its remit, whether it be in respect of offshore renewables, Irish Water applications or seaweed harvesting. There is a large volume of work has yet to be concluded.

Sentiment score: 0.20