The Committee on the Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht will focus on licencing and harvesting of seaweed in Ireland when it meets with representatives of various interested parties tomorrow, Tuesday, 8^th July 2014.

 
Michael McCarthy TD, Chairman of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht, said: “Tomorrow, we will focus on issues around licensing to harvest seaweed and the legislation governing the collecting seaweed from our foreshores, as well as considering the harvesting of naturally grown seaweed sector and the concept of developing a farmed seaweed sector. The seaweed industry, which is closely linked with the Gaeltacht, comprises both traditional, wild, naturally grown and cultivated or farmed seaweed. Ireland’s seaweed and biotechnology sector is currently worth approximately €18 million per annum with a target in place to grow the sector to €30 million by 2020 as outlined in the Marine Institute Sea Change Strategy 2006, so it is timely and important that we consider matters in relation to licencing and harvesting of seaweed.”

Those attending the meeting are:
Carraig Fhada Seaweed Mr Damien Melvin Mr Frank Melvin
Bioatlantis Ltd Mr John O’Sullivan, Chief Executive Officer, Mr Brian Fanning, Dr Kieran Guinan, Dr William O’Connor, Ecofact Environmental Consultants Ltd.
Brandon Products Ltd Mr Paul Mullins.
MB Quinn Ltd Mr Micheál Quinn, Managing Director. Ocean Harvest Technology Dr Stefan Krann, Managing Director.
Arramara Teoranta Jean-Paul Deveau Uasal, Cathaoirleach, Dónall Mac Giolla Bhríde Uasal, Bainisteoir Ginearálta An Doctúir Raul Ugarte, Taighdeoir Sinsearach, Acadian Seaplants Ltd, Rex Hunter Uasal, Leas Uachtarán, Bainistiú Acmhainní, Acadian Seaplants Ltd, An Bhean Uasal Linda Theriault, Stiúrthóir, Caidreamh Poiblí agus Rialtais, Acadian Seaplants Ltd,
Cearta Cladaigh Chonamara John Bhaba Jeaic Ó Conghaile Uasal
Irish Seaweed Processors Ltd Mr Tony Barrett, Chief Executive Officer.
Údarás na Gaeltachta Steve Ó Cualáin Uasal, Príomhfheidhmeannach, Séamus Mac Eochaidh Uasal, Bainisteoir Fiontraiochta.

 
This meeting will start in Committee Room 4, Leinster House at 2.15pm tomorrow, Tuesday, 8^th July 2014.
Committee proceedings can be followed live at: http://www.oireachtas.ie/parliament/watchlisten/live-flashplayer/committeeroom4/
Committee proceedings can also be viewed on the move, through the Houses of the Oireachtas Smartphone App, available for Apple and Android devices.

Media enquiries to:
Ciaran Brennan, Houses of the Oireachtas, Communications Unit, Leinster House, Dublin 2
P: +3531 618 3903 M: 086-0496518 F: +3531 618 4551 Email: Ciaran.brennan@oireachtas.ie

 
Membership of the Joint Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht
Deputies: James Bannon TD (Fine Gael); Paudie Coffey TD (Fine Gael); Noel Coonan (Fine Gael) Leas-Chathaoirleach; Ruth Coppinger (Socialist Party); Marcella Corcoran Kennedy TD (Fine Gael); Barry Cowen (Fianna Fáil); Kevin Humphreys TD (Labour); Michael McCarthy TD (Labour) Cathaoirleach; Sandra McLellan TD (Sinn Féin); Tony Mc Loughlin TD (Fine Gael); Michelle Mulherin TD (Fine Gael); Catherine Murphy TD (Independent); Gerald Nash TD (Labour); Seán Ó Fearghaíl TD;  Brian Stanley TD (Sinn Féin).
Senators: Senator Cáit Keane (Fine Gael) Senator Denis Landy (Labour); An Seanadóir Fiach Mac Conghail (Neamhspleách); Senator Catherine Noone (Fine Gael); An Seanadóir Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fáil): Senator Ned O’Sullivan (Fianna Fáil).

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