Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to detail what financial support will be provided to the fishing industry on Lough Neagh. [Priority Written]
Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs: I remain committed to providing whatever support is practical and affordable to the eel fishers, including through existing grant schemes. Any case for direct financial support in respect of the now truncated fishing season would need to be robustly supported with scientific and financial evidence for the suspension decision and the impact and the scale of the losses.
I have instructed my officials to engage further with the industry in the development of any request.
ENDS
Your MLA 