There are currently 37 licensed farmed seaweed sites in Ireland, with 50 more applications pending, the Joint Committee on Fisheries and Maritime Affairs has heard.
"Small scale" harvesting, "if it is for your own use" does not need a licence, Chief Executive Officer, Maritime Area Regulatory Authority Laura Brien said.
Several TDs expressed frustration at the slow progress in licences being issued, with Charles Ward, 100% Redress TD from Donegal, asking what economic toll this is exacting from Gaeltacht commuties.
Dearbháil Ní Chualáin, Stiúrthóir Fiontraíochta, Fostaíochta, Maoine & Innealtóireachta (Director of Enterprise, Employment, Property & Engineering), Údarás na Gaeltachta, accepted that "there is uncertainty" while applications are being assessed.
But she said it is hard to quantify the impact.
"We welcome the certainties that these changes bring," she said, referring to legislative updates which are in train.
Client firms also welcome them, she added.
