Debate contribution: Lough Neagh Rescue Plan

Debate contribution by Mr William Irwin on 13 February 2024.

MLA: Mr William Irwin
Party at the time: Democratic Unionist Party
Date: 13 February 2024
Type: Debate contribution
Business: Private Members' Business
Heading: Lough Neagh Rescue Plan
Assembly identifier: Official Report component 4206366

Text

The issue is, no doubt, of concern to the general public across the Province, given the size of Lough Neagh and its significance in our environment. The lough contains around 800 billion gallons of water and provides 40% of the Province's drinking water. It is therefore very much on people's minds, especially when we see the negative impact of the algae problem and how it has spread into the rivers, eventually affecting portions of our coastline. The contributing factors that gave rise to last year's algae blooms are many and complicated; by all accounts, they will be by no means easy to resolve. There will be no quick fixes. The exceptionally warm month of June last year and the following very wet July and August are believed to have been significant contributors, along with issues such as farm nutrient run-off. Scientists are clear that the bacterium grows more quickly in very warm temperatures, which is what we experienced in 2023. What followed was well-above-average rainfall, which washed nutrients from the soil into the watercourses; indeed, such was the rainfall in the autumn that, at one point, the lough was 1·6 metres above normal levels. When we think of the zebra mussel issue, it is interesting to note that a species that filters water and makes it cleaner has such a negative impact in allowing sunlight to penetrate much more deeply into the lough, allowing the growth of bacteria and an acceleration of the algae problem. Dealing with invasive species will be another complicated issue to resolve. It would be useful if we had a report on how the lough is at the moment, because it has been some time since the public had any information on the lough's water quality. I am especially interested in the impact of the recent heavy and persistent rain, mixed with colder winter temperatures, on the algae issue. It is important that we have regular reports on the condition of the lough's water and the impact on its ecosystem. Those reports would be useful for informing further debate and action. It will take a lot of discussion, further scientific investigation and finance to adequately resolve the algae issue in the longer term. I imagine that progress on some of the issues will be difficult to achieve and will be vulnerable to weather patterns, hence my suggestion for more detail on the lough after the period of considerable rainfall. I note that the tone of the new Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs on the issue is very much about managing expectations. It will serve no one well to give false hope of a swift resolution of the issue. All efforts by agencies and the general public will be vital to ensuring success in fighting the issue. I want to see well-thought-out and scientifically backed measures enacted to get progress on reaching a much more acceptable level of cleanliness in the lough's water. Many agencies and groups can play their part. Now that we have the Assembly back up and running, it will be important to see a strategic plan to make the interventions that will make a real difference to Lough Neagh.

528 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

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