An independent Mid Ulster councilor has called for an all-Ireland approach to save Lough Neagh, which has been blighted by toxic blue-green algae since last June.
Dan Kerr, who represents Torrent DEA, firmly believes that the lake has an all-Ireland dimension, in the sense that it is connected to cross-border waterways such as black water river.
In response to correspondence from the Southern body, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Councilor Kerr stated: “I would like to express my enormous disappointment received from the Environmental Protection Agency regarding [their] attitude towards Lough Neagh.
“I think an all-Ireland strategy is needed to try to address the various issues affecting Lough Neagh at a local level.”
He continued: “I think partition is also one of the symptoms of what is happening in Lough Neagh, so I would like to propose that [we] respond to the EPA and describe the reasoning [as to why] “There needs to be an all-Ireland strategy to address the problems happening to the largest freshwater lake on the island of Ireland.”
The proposal was supported by independent councilor Barry Monteith.
In correspondence with the chairman of Mid Ulster District Council, Councilor Dominic Molloy, in late November, an EPA representative wrote: “I refer to your correspondence of 2 October 2023, regarding water quality in Lough Neagh.
“As Lough Neagh is situated entirely in Northern Ireland, the Environmental Protection Agency has no role in monitoring or assessing water quality in the lake.
"The Northern Ireland Environment Agency may be able to help you."
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