Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to detail the actions that have been taken in Lough Neagh and the surrounding watercourses to prevent blue-green algae.
Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs: The Lough Neagh Report and Action Plan was approved by the NI Executive and published in July 2024. The Action Plan contains science led actions to tackle the blue-green algae blooms in Lough Neagh and secure longer-term improvements in water quality across Northern Ireland. It complements and supports the actions and targets in the Environmental Improvement Plan which is key to taking a strategic approach to the issues facing Lough Neagh in the context of the wider catchment area. I am pleased to report that the implementation of the Action Plan is progressing.
I would stress that there are no quick fixes to the issues and it will take many years, if not decades, to see substantial recovery, such is the depth and complexity of the problem at Lough Neagh.
ENDS
Your MLA 