Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 November 2023
150. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the situation in Lough Neagh; and if consideration could be given to utilising the resources of the shared island Initiative to alleviate this situation. [41665/23]
View answerI am aware of the concerning reports regarding the ongoing ecological crisis affecting Lough Neagh. The environmental health of Lough Neagh, as the largest freshwater lake on this island, is of vital importance. It is a protected area of special scientific interest and the source of 40% of Northern Ireland’s drinking water.
The proliferation of toxic blue-green algae in the lough’s waters has had very serious consequences for aquatic life, as well as for the many local people whose livelihoods are invested within the lough’s fisheries and recreational enterprises. Multiple factors have made Lough Neagh particularly vulnerable to these perilous algal blooms. The serious and deeply regrettable environmental damage to the lough and its surroundings underlines the need for continued vigilance regarding the health of our inland waters across all parts of the island.
It also re-emphasises the need for a functional Northern Ireland Executive that can deal with this issue and with other ongoing issues of deep public concern in the North. The Government is willing and ready to cooperate on this issue on a cross-border basis with a restored Executive, including through the North South Ministerial Council, as soon as this is possible. The question of resourcing, whether through the Shared Island initiative or otherwise, as part of any cooperation would need to be considered by the relevant Ministers and environmental authorities, North and South.
