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Following on from some of the previous questions, I note that a presentation was given about Carlingford lough. Did it contain any details about protecting the lough, given its uniqueness as a shared space and also as a marine conservation area?
I thank the Minister for his statement. Minister, turning again to the Loughs Agency, what discussion was there about the impact of climate change on fish stocks?
I thank the Minister for his answers so far. Minister, as constituency MLAs, you and I share Belfast lough. You will know at first hand, as I do, just how bad the lough is, as is shown through water testing at the minute. Was anything raised about that at the meeting? What more can be done to protect the ecosystem in…
Minister, in your statement, you talked about ongoing work to improve the accuracy of fish counts to generate more robust data in order to better inform salmon conservation limits. Will you inform the House as to what progress has been made to date?
Minister, I note that the NSMC approved the Loughs Agency's revised business plan for 2024 and the business plan for 2025. Does the Minister believe that there are any efficiencies that could be made, and has the Loughs Agency been tasked with that?
Minister, how is the cross-border implementation of the water framework directive being aligned North and South, particularly in achieving good ecological status targets?
I thank the Minister for that statement. You have a busy day today, Minister. You outlined the Loughs Agency's work on water quality, invasive species and fisheries, but local anglers and fishing communities are telling us that rivers are in crisis. Will you explain how the agency's budget and resources are sufficient…
Mr Deputy Speaker, can you clarify what the next statement is, because there is aquaculture and agriculture? With your permission, Mr Deputy Speaker, in compliance with section 52 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, I wish to make a statement about the thirty-second meeting of the North/South Ministerial Council (NSMC)…
I note with bewilderment the self-congratulatory tone on Lough Neagh while our lough is engulfed with a rancid blue-green algae. Given the repeated failures on waste water management and nutrient run-off, what enforcement measures will be introduced to make sure that commitments on water quality are met? Does the…
No problem, Linda. I was in County Monaghan last year, when we had a North/South conference around water quality in respect of agriculture and the good work that is being done down South and up North. We have a sustainable catchment programme in Northern Ireland through which the Rivers Trust, which I met, delivers…
I thank the Minister. Other Members have raised the issue of Lough Neagh, which is a real concern for many of us. Will you give us some sense of what the Shared Island initiative that you have talked about will involve? What stakeholders will be engaged in that? Members have spoken about the agriculture community — I…
Minister, you rightly highlighted the importance of water quality and waste water management. Closer to home, however, there is deep public concern about the reported 200,000 tons of raw sewage being discharged into the Lough Neagh catchment area. Will you outline what progress you have made with your DFI counterpart…
I confirm that Lough Neagh was discussed at the North/South Ministerial Council environment sectoral meeting, because it is a shared challenge, given that the catchment area covers North and South. A lot of good work is being done North and South, but we need to do more. Discussions are ongoing about the potential for…
Minister, I attended a public meeting last night along with a number of other elected Members. There were over 100 people there in Kinturk in Moortown, County Tyrone. As you will be well aware, the issue is Lough Neagh and the priority to have action on Lough Neagh. The statement is an opportunity for you to detail…
The Minister's statement references the issues facing Lough Neagh. He recently announced a round of funding to explore potential products and solutions to treat and reduce blue-green algae. I am aware that five companies received such funding. I know of at least one company — I am sure there are others — that was…
I note that there is agreement on working to achieve offshore renewable energy targets while ensuring the protection of marine ecosystems. The protection of our fishing industry should also be a priority alongside that. Will the Minister give assurances that any meaningful engagement will also include the fishing…
I wonder why that is. Minister, your statement talks about cross-border cooperation on water quality and marine ecosystems, yet there is no mention of the environmental nightmare that the Carlingford lough community of Warrenpoint is suffering, over which your Department continues to preside. Over the summer, I wrote…
Minister, you spoke about collaboration and research, but people in the communities around Lough Neagh and the Foyle need urgent action. Rather than more strategy papers, what clear timelines and targets will come from the meeting to improve water quality and biodiversity?