Seaweed harvesters concerns raised at Dáil Committee

Independent Ireland councillor and Galway West by-election candidate Noel Thomas has attended an important meeting of the Joint Committee on Fisheries and Maritime Affairs, where stakeholders were invited to contribute directly to the development of national policy on seaweed harvesting.

The invitation to address the Committee was issued to Maidhc Curran, who attended to present on behalf of those directly involved in the sector, highlighting the realities facing coastal communities and marine operators.  

Councillor Thomas attended the meeting to support that engagement and to ensure the issues raised for Galway and the west were reinforced at national level.

Speaking afterwards, Councillor Thomas said the meeting demonstrated the importance of having strong representation connecting local experience with national decision-making.

“This is exactly where Galway needs to be represented — in the rooms where policy is being shaped, not after the decisions are already made,” he said.

“There is huge potential in areas like seaweed harvesting for jobs, enterprise, and sustainable development along our coast. But it has to be done properly — with environmental protections and a fair return for local communities.”

Councillor Thomas said his focus is on ensuring that national policy reflects the realities on the ground in the west.

“When people like Maidhc Curran are invited in to give direct input, it’s vital that those voices are supported and carried through into policy,” he said.

“For too long, Galway has been reacting to decisions made in Dublin. We need to be shaping those decisions from the outset.”

The meeting forms part of ongoing engagement between policymakers, industry representatives, and community stakeholders as Government develops a more structured approach to the growth of Ireland’s marine resources.

ENDS