Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 February 2026
684. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will meet with the Lough Neagh stake-holders group to discuss the current ecological crisis impacting the lake, and by extension to the sections of the wider river basin management area that fall within the counties under his jurisdiction. [14875/26]
View answer685. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on his Department's discussions with the Northern Executive Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Andrew Muir on collaboration between both administrations on water quality issues in Lough Neagh and surrounding environment; the actions that have been agreed; and if there is a timeline available on these actions; if he will meet with relevant stakeholders and their local political representatives on the matter. [14877/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 684 and 685 together.
I acknowledge the very challenging situation in relation to managing and reversing the poor water quality witnessed in Lough Neagh. The Government has taken a keen interest in the situation concerning the ecological status of Lough Neagh as the island of Ireland is a distinct environmental unit that benefits from cooperation on transboundary environmental management issues. At the North South Ministerial Council Plenary Meeting in April 2024, Ministers from Northern Ireland and Ireland discussed environmental challenges including those facing our water courses such as Lough Neagh and agreed both jurisdictions would share learning, expertise and research.
Responsibility for the management of environmental pressures in the catchment area of Lough Neagh lies primarily with the authorities in Northern Ireland, and this is reflected in the Lough Neagh Report and Action Plan that was approved by the Northern Ireland Executive on 18 July 2024. Monaghan County Council, with the support of the Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO) shared service, is the lead environmental authority in relation to catchment management in the small area of the Blackwater catchment that flows into the Bann catchment. (This represents 374 km2 or just over 6% out of a total area of 5,787km2 for the entire Lough Neagh catchment) This area of the catchment contains a mix of urban, agricultural, and forestry land, all of which can contribute to the problem of blue-green algae blooms.
Officials in both jurisdictions are in the early stages of developing a possible Shared Island co-operation proposal to support initiatives aimed at improving water quality, within the Neagh Bann International River Basin District encompassing Lough Neagh. I also understand that a request has been made through the office of my colleague, Christopher O'Sullivan TD, Minister for State with responsibility for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity to meet with relevant local stakeholders, and that efforts are being made to arrange this meeting at a mutually convenient time.
The level of cooperation between authorities north and south has been high historically and we wish to continue this cooperation. My Department is engaging with the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs through the reconstituted North / South Water Quality Coordination Group, which will meet on a regular basis to discuss cross-border water quality matters.
