Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
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42. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will engage with his UK counterpart regarding the condition of Lough Neagh; if this issue can be raised at the North-South Ministerial Council and the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference; if the problem can also be examined in the context of the shared island initiative; if the Government will offer practical assistance to clean up this major natural resource and amenity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28433/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I am conscious of the very challenging situation in relation to managing and reversing the poor water quality in Lough Neagh.

Lough Neagh has been discussed in North South Ministerial Council meetings.

At the NSMC plenary meeting in April 2024, which included the Government and the Northern Ireland Executive, Ministers discussed environmental challenges including those facing watercourses such as Lough Neagh and agreed both jurisdictions would share learning, expertise and research. This discussion was followed by the 10 June meeting of the NSMC in Environment Sectoral format, when the Council noted the significant issue of blue-green algae and its impacts on water quality/safety of water use, and the new approaches needed to address its causes and how to best manage monitoring. The Council noted the current position in relation to the particular challenges surrounding Lough Neagh and that that officials and wider stakeholders across both jurisdictions are actively sharing knowledge and expertise on water quality issues including through the North South Water Framework Directive Coordination Group.

The Government has indicated its willingness to cooperate with the Northern Ireland Executive on this issue on a cross-border basis, including through the sharing of relevant research. The question of resourcing, whether through the Shared Island initiative or otherwise, has not arisen but any request would need to be considered by the relevant Ministers and environmental authorities, North and South.

A meeting of the BIIGC took place on 29 April and although the specific issue of Lough Neagh did not arise at that meeting, I remain in regular contact with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on a range of issues of mutual interest.