'The Action Plan is not a wish list - it is a detailed, science-led, proportionate and ambitious set of actions that will make a tangible difference to our waterways'
The Northern Ireland Executive has finally approved a 37-point plan to tackle the pollution-causing algal blooms on Lough Neagh . It comes four months after the paper first went before Stormont's top committee.
DAERA Minister Andrew Muir said: "I welcome and am grateful to my Executive colleagues for supporting the plan I presented and recognising Lough Neagh as a priority." "The Action Plan is not a wish list - it is a detailed, science-led, proportionate and ambitious set of actions that will make a tangible difference to our waterways. I must be clear however, that there are no quick fixes, it will take many years, if not decades to see substantial recovery, such is the depth and complexity of the problem.
"Working in partnership within government and across stakeholders will be a fundamentally important element in achieving the outcomes that we all wish to attain for this and future generations." Sinn Féin MLA Nicola Brogan also welcomed the agreement. The party’s environment spokesperson said: "In recent days we have seen increased blue-green algae blooms, and so urgent work must now start to address these pressing issues on the Lough. We must do all that we can to protect the Lough’s stunning beauty and its essential roles in the environment, tourism, fishing and water supply.
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