117. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the measures he is taking to protect traditional seaweed harvesting rights and folio rights; if he is aware of the concerns around commercial harvesting; the steps he is taking to address these concerns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49354/26]

118. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the measures he is taking to protect traditional seaweed harvesting rights and folio rights in Kerry specifically; if he is aware of the concerns around commercial harvesting in Kerry specifically; the steps he is taking to address these concerns in Kerry specifically; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49355/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 117 and 118 together.

The Department has no role in respect of assessing applications for seaweed harvesting. Regulation is the responsibility of the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority (MARA) which is an independent statutory body established under the Maritime Area Planning (MAP) Act 2021.

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

In this regard, MARA has published an explanatory note on the legislative framework for wild seaweed harvesting on its website at https://www.maritimeregulator.ie/explanatory-note-on-the-legislative-framework-for-wild-seaweed-harvesting-published/ which includes detail of the assessment process.

I am very aware of the important role that traditional seaweed harvesting plays in our rural coastal communities and want to reassure those who hold traditional rights to harvest seaweed that those rights will be protected.

Officials in the Department are currently examining the regulatory framework that is in place, to ensure it is appropriate to adequately safeguard holders of traditional seaweed harvesting rights.