News Story

Two Stormont ministers are set to meet later this week to discuss the potential public ownership of Lough Neagh.

Earl of Shaftesbury Nicholas Ashley-Cooper currently owns the bed and soil of the lough.

Some have called for it to be brought into public ownership amid ongoing environmental problems at the lough with noxious blooms of blue-green algae covered large parts of the lough every summer.

Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Andrew Muir said he requested and had a meeting with the Earl last month to discuss the bed and soil of Lough Neagh.

He said he has requested a meeting with Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins about public ownership.

“The option for transfer of the bed and soil without charge to public ownership was discussed,” he told MLAs during questions for his department.

“Community ownership was noted to present significant challenges given the scale of the lough, and the range of interests within the catchment, whilst recognising however that it should not be ruled out as a long term goal.”

Mr Muir went on: “As we know Lough Neagh is also of strategic importance to drinking water security, and this must naturally influence future ownership and government arrangements.

“I have written to the Infrastructure Minister today to request a meeting about transferring the bed and soil of Lough Neagh to either Waterways Ireland, NI Water or the Department for Infrastructure itself.

“This is an important opportunity and I hope it can be seized.”