Stormont ministers have warned of the need for “challenging measures” in order to tackle Northern Ireland’s significant environmental issues, particularly concerning Lough Neagh, the region’s largest freshwater lake. The lake and surrounding waterways and beaches endured harmful algal blooms last summer and concerns exist about their potential reoccurrence this year.
The crisis’ contributing elements are suspected to consist of runoff from agricultural fertilisers containing phosphorus and nitrogen, an invading zebra mussel species, and global warming, which resulted in last June’s record-high water temperature in Lough Neagh. Northern Ireland’s Prime Minister Michelle O’Neill, Deputy Prime Minister Emma Little-Pengelly and the Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Andrew Muir, convened at Toome’s Lock Keepers Cottage with the Lough Neagh Partnership.
Post meeting, the ministers committed themselves to tackling the situation, expressing optimism about the lake’s possible future. Nonetheless, Mr Muir cautioned that no easy solutions exist and that active rectification will demand some challenging measures. He praised the mutual visit as communicating a message of joint resolve by the Executive in addressing issues related to Lough Neagh.
He announced that Northern Ireland will have a plan for environmental enhancement, its first strategy for the environment, and an action plan specific to Lough Neagh. Following Easter, he will meet with officials to discuss the draft action plan for Lough Neagh, with plans to subsequently propose it to the Executive for consideration and agreement.
He stated, “Although there are no quick solutions, we can steer towards the necessary interventions.” Mr Muir added, “Let me be clear, some of these required interventions will be challenging. This issue is complex and demands behavioural changes. We know what has led to this and we’re prepared to provide the needed leadership. We must also invest funds, for instance, in our wastewater treatment facilities in Northern Ireland to ensure we maintain good water quality.”
Ms O’Neill and Ms Little-Pengelly declared that the situation at the Lough has been a priority for Stormont since the ministers’ initial meeting following the reestablishment of devolved governance earlier this year.
Ms O’Neill voiced her commitment, “Our resolution is firm in doing all that’s possible to guard this lough. The potential of Lough Neagh is immense, and we are sincerely optimistic, a sentiment shared by those we’ve recently engaged with, regarding the potential of this lough. Notwithstanding, we acknowledge the substantial difficulties lying in our path.”
To which Ms Little-Pengelly made her addition, “This is prioritised at the Executive level; it was a point of discussion in our inaugural Executive gathering. It will persist as an integral focus, seeing that we realise the importance of collective effort and prompt action to uncover solutions… putting into play necessary actions and initiatives to address and restrict these concerns from escalating further.
“We are resolved to execute immediate measures, working together with everyone to solve these problems.”