There needs to be greater transparency in responses to the ongoing crisis at Lough Neagh, a new report argues.
The report, produced by the Environmental Justice Network Ireland (EJNI) claims that a lack of “transparency” concerning government actions and developing management plans for the lough’s future has stymied a recovery process at Ireland’s largest inland water body.
“Transparency and meaningful public participation in decision-making are vital and gaps in the current response are undermining public confidence in proposed solutions,” the report reads.
The EJNI also argues that future ownership options for the lough should be addressed “in tandem” with governance improvements.
The bed, banks and soil of Lough Neagh – blighted by two successive years of algal blooms – are currently owned by Nicholas Ashley-Cooper, the 12th Earl of Shaftesbury. Following sustained controversy over his ownership and income streams at the lough, the Earl suggested last year that he may seek to transfer the asset to a charity or community development trust.
However, talks to develop plans over a new management and ownership model for the lough have been criticised by campaigners, who say the public and communities around the vast body of freshwater have largely been “excluded” from the conversation to date.
There are several initiatives, brought by a mixture of public and private actors, that are now seeking to advance proposals for a new management model. The National Trust entered the picture last year, after an approach by the earl.
Some transparency concerns highlighted in the EJNI report were aired last week at a webinar hosted by Queen’s University Belfast.
Activists cited a November Westminster event and meetings with the earl during 2024 that they described as “secret[ive]”.
Loughshore resident and campaigner Bernadette McAliskey also said any remedy should not be “rushed” due to political pressure.
The EJNI report noted “A complex political context has delayed and impacted the development of meaningful solutions to the ecological collapse at Lough Neagh.”
The Executive launched a 37-point ‘Action Plan’ to address pollution at the lough last summer.
A spokesperson for the Department of Agriculture, the Environment and Rural Affairs told The Irish News its primary focus at Lough Neagh is water quality.
“Whilst minister Muir is already on the record as personally in favour of community ownership of the Lough…the immediate focus of DAERA remains upon critical issues of blue green algae and water quality issues in Lough Neagh.”
