Northern Ireland’s Environment Minister has warned of a “deliberate attempt” by some politicians to undermine the science and evidence around the Lough Neagh crisis.
The Alliance Party’s Andrew Muir has put the Lough Neagh Recovery Plan approved by the NI Executive among his priorities for 2026.
And in a new interview, he says the situation on the lough — which has been blighted by harmful blue-green algae blooms driven by wastewater and agricultural runoff, and exacerbated by climate change and invasive species — is one that “breaks my heart”.
“What we’ve got to do is take the actions to reduce the level of pollution that’s going into the lough and also to be very conscious of the impact that climate change is having.
“That requires tough decisions in terms of reducing the amount of pollution, whether it’s coming from agricultural sources or in relation to sewage pollution or septic tanks.”
Minister Muir acknowledged that the facts around the Lough Neagh crisis deliver “lots of inconvenient truths” which have been difficult to accept in some quarters.
“What I have seen, particularly in 2025, is a deliberate attempt by some to undermine the science and evidence around this, and I will stand four-square in defence of the scientists who are delivering the facts,” he said.
RTÉ News has more on the story HERE.
