Northern Ireland's Executive fails to back plans to rescue Lough Neagh from severe pollution

The lough provides 40% of Northern Ireland's drinking water, however excessive growth of highly toxic algae across the lough made headlines last summer.

Experts say this is linked to excess nitrogen and phosphorus in the water from fertilisers as well as the spread of the invasive zebra mussel, which clears the water and encourages the algae to photosynthesise.

Climate change has also been cited as a factor.

Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir before his Assembly scrutiny committee in the Great Hall of Parliament Buildings, Stormont. Picture date: Thursday June 6, 2024.

Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir brought a report with 30 recommendations to the executive yesterday afternoon – however it was not accepted.

Significant investment would be needed to implement his plan and some recommendations require cooperation from other departments – hence the need for executive backing.

It is understood some ministers pushed back against the plans, asking for more clarity and possibly more engagement with the farming sector on the way forward.

Last week Mr Muir had proposed tougher punishments for environmental breaches by farmers after announcing his intent to reverse a law change that capped the level of penalties.

Algae on the slip of Ballyronan marina on Lough Neagh in September 2023. Photo: PA

His Lough Neagh report is now due to come back before the executive at the end of the month.

SDLP agriculture spokesperson Patsy McGlone said the failure to agree the plan of action was “another broken promise by executive parties”.

He said: “The executive’s failure today to agree the report and its recommendations is deeply disappointing. It is another broken promise by executive parties who all expressed their concern at the ecological crisis in the Lough and declared it to be a priority for their parties.

“Responsibility for dealing with the crisis in Lough Neagh is shared between departments and it needs a united executive approach. The failure to agree to the report’s recommended actions will condemn Lough Neagh to further decline.

“The SDLP is willing to work constructively … to properly address the ecological crisis in Lough Neagh, but they are the parties responsible for taking action on the lough and we will hold them to account if they fail to do so.”