Menu
25/09/2023
Executive Needed To Address Lough Neagh Emergency – SF
Sinn Féin have renewed their call for the urgent restoration of the Executive, which it has said is "essential" to addressing the Lough Neagh emergency.
Declan Kearney and the party's environment spokesperson Philip McGuigan, attended an all-party meeting with lead scientists and officials from the key departments responsible for addressing the ecological catastrophe in Lough Neagh.
Speaking afterwards, the Mr Kearney said: "I emphasised at this meeting, the urgent need for an inter-departmental and multiagency operational task force, to take an immediate grip on the situation in Lough Neagh.
"The presentations delivered by senior scientists confirmed that the ecosystem of the Lough is very seriously damaged. A strategy now needs implemented to restore the health of the Lough on an ongoing basis with immediate and long-term interventions.
"While officials are currently looking at the type of mechanisms needed to do this, and we are content that they are moving at pace, there must be no delay in taking immediate action.
"Department representatives accepted that messaging on a number of fronts has been poor, and there has been a lack of coordination with local councils thus far.
"I stressed that the functions of local councils are properly linked into the work being led by DAERA.
"Officials also agreed that the development of the required action plan, should be informed with reference to international comparators and available international expert, scientific advice; such is the scale of the perfect storm of scientific, environmental and ecological challenges consuming the Lough, and surrounding waterways and natural habitat.
"This crisis also highlights the imperative of the power sharing Executive being restored to ensure coordinated ministerial direction and the necessary political oversight.
"It also vindicates the significant case for Lough Neagh being placed into democratic, public ownership to guarantee its ecosystem is restored and protected for the future, and the freshwater fishing industry and wider economic benefits associated with Lough Neagh are sustained."
Declan Kearney and the party's environment spokesperson Philip McGuigan, attended an all-party meeting with lead scientists and officials from the key departments responsible for addressing the ecological catastrophe in Lough Neagh.
Speaking afterwards, the Mr Kearney said: "I emphasised at this meeting, the urgent need for an inter-departmental and multiagency operational task force, to take an immediate grip on the situation in Lough Neagh.
"The presentations delivered by senior scientists confirmed that the ecosystem of the Lough is very seriously damaged. A strategy now needs implemented to restore the health of the Lough on an ongoing basis with immediate and long-term interventions.
"While officials are currently looking at the type of mechanisms needed to do this, and we are content that they are moving at pace, there must be no delay in taking immediate action.
"Department representatives accepted that messaging on a number of fronts has been poor, and there has been a lack of coordination with local councils thus far.
"I stressed that the functions of local councils are properly linked into the work being led by DAERA.
"Officials also agreed that the development of the required action plan, should be informed with reference to international comparators and available international expert, scientific advice; such is the scale of the perfect storm of scientific, environmental and ecological challenges consuming the Lough, and surrounding waterways and natural habitat.
"This crisis also highlights the imperative of the power sharing Executive being restored to ensure coordinated ministerial direction and the necessary political oversight.
"It also vindicates the significant case for Lough Neagh being placed into democratic, public ownership to guarantee its ecosystem is restored and protected for the future, and the freshwater fishing industry and wider economic benefits associated with Lough Neagh are sustained."
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
03 September 2024
Executive Does Not Have The Will To 'Do Politics Differently' – Greens
The Green Party NI has accused the other Executive parties of not having the political will to "do politics differently".
Executive Does Not Have The Will To 'Do Politics Differently' – Greens
The Green Party NI has accused the other Executive parties of not having the political will to "do politics differently".
20 August 2024
Executive Has No Plan To Solve Housing Crisis – SDLP
The Executive has been accused of having no plan to solve the current housing crisis. SDLP Opposition Housing Spokesperson Daniel McCrossan made the accusation after reports the social housing waiting list has soared to over 47,000 people. Mr McCrossan said the problem would only get worse in the years ahead.
Executive Has No Plan To Solve Housing Crisis – SDLP
The Executive has been accused of having no plan to solve the current housing crisis. SDLP Opposition Housing Spokesperson Daniel McCrossan made the accusation after reports the social housing waiting list has soared to over 47,000 people. Mr McCrossan said the problem would only get worse in the years ahead.
04 December 2003
Lough Neagh area to receive £3.2m funding support
The Lough Neagh area is to benefit from a funding package of £3.2 million for a major regeneration initiative. The funding was unveiled today at the formal launch of the Lough Neagh Strategic Fund in the Marina Centre, Ballyronan, Magherafelt.
Lough Neagh area to receive £3.2m funding support
The Lough Neagh area is to benefit from a funding package of £3.2 million for a major regeneration initiative. The funding was unveiled today at the formal launch of the Lough Neagh Strategic Fund in the Marina Centre, Ballyronan, Magherafelt.
02 March 2007
Funders join forces to enhance wildlife habitat
Regular visitors to the RSPB Reserve at Portmore Lough will have noticed that the wet fringe of scrub and bushes around the Lough is disappearing fast. The bird hide that was once shrouded in willow and alder trees, can now be seen sitting proud above the reedbed.
Funders join forces to enhance wildlife habitat
Regular visitors to the RSPB Reserve at Portmore Lough will have noticed that the wet fringe of scrub and bushes around the Lough is disappearing fast. The bird hide that was once shrouded in willow and alder trees, can now be seen sitting proud above the reedbed.
23 August 2006
Zebra Mussels continue to spread
The Department of the Environment (DOE) has confirmed concern that Zebra Mussels have spread to Lough Neagh. Zebra Mussels were first discovered in Northern Ireland in Lough Erne in 1997 and every effort has since been made to prevent their spread to other waterways.
Zebra Mussels continue to spread
The Department of the Environment (DOE) has confirmed concern that Zebra Mussels have spread to Lough Neagh. Zebra Mussels were first discovered in Northern Ireland in Lough Erne in 1997 and every effort has since been made to prevent their spread to other waterways.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Dry with some evening sunshine leading on to clear skies overnight. Light mainly southeasterly breezes, which may allow a few isolated fog patches to form overnight. Minimum temperature 7 °C.
