Lough Neagh Action Plan presented

BBC News NI has learned that Stormont’s Agriculture and Environment Minister is set to approve a series of measures to address Lough Neagh’s problems.

The Lough Neagh report and action plan have been before the Northern Ireland Executive since mid-June, but ministers have not yet approved it.

Some elements of the plan are cross-functional and require management approval for implementation.

Agriculture and Environment Minister Andrew Muir will give the green light to measures that fall within his remit.

These include a research initiative as well as a tree planting project and farmer support programs.

The minister is understood to have met with the Earl of Shaftesbury after the lakebed’s owner said he “would like to put it” in the hands of a charity or community trust.

The issue of ownership was not addressed in the report and the action plan.

Later on Tuesday, Mr Muir is due to make a statement to the Northern Ireland Assembly outlining his intentions.

However, scientists agree that under the right conditions, a repeat of the 2023 crisis is possible.

Lough Neagh is the largest freshwater body of water in the British Isles.

Lough Neagh supplies half of Belfast’s drinking water and 40% of Northern Ireland’s drinking water.

The estate has been owned by the Earl of Shaftesbury since the 19th century.

The rights to the lake were listed for £6 million 10 years ago, but officials advised the government not to go ahead with the sale. The reason is unknown.

He said the proposal “could take some time”.