Northern Ireland’s Environment Minister Andrew Muir has accused some politicians of a “deliberate attempt to undermine the science and evidence” around the ecological crisis at Lough Neagh. The minister also said work would continue to implement actions in the Lough Neagh Recovery Plan agreed by the Executive. Lough Neagh supplies 40 per cent of Northern Ireland’s drinking water and sustains a major eel fishing industry. Mr Muir said: “Since taking up office, I’ve been very clear that the situation in Lough Neagh has been a result of decades of neglect and there are no quick fixes. “What I have seen, particularly in 2025, is a deliberate attempt by some to undermine the science and evidence around this.

Source: The Irish Times January 04, 2026 17:09 UTC