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Northern Ireland Minister Warns of Looming Water Pollution Crisis
15 Oct
Summary
- Agriculture Minister "fast losing patience" with Infrastructure Department over water pollution
- Concern that Belfast Lough could become "the next Lough Neagh" due to pollution
- Lough Neagh plagued by blue-green algae blooms for 3 summers, impacting eel fishing
As of October 15th, 2025, Northern Ireland's Agriculture and Environment Minister Andrew Muir has voiced strong concerns over the worsening water pollution situation in the region. Muir stated that he is "fast losing patience" with the Department for Infrastructure, which he believes is not doing enough to address the issue.
The minister's comments come amid an ongoing environmental crisis at Lough Neagh, the UK's largest freshwater lake. For the third summer in a row, the lough has been plagued by noxious blooms of blue-green algae, leading to the eel-fishing season being cut short. Muir warned that Belfast Lough could potentially become "the next Lough Neagh" if the sewage pollution problem is not urgently addressed.
Muir emphasized the need to listen to scientific evidence and take decisive action, noting that the situation had been previously warned about by experts. He stated that while his own department is responsible for regulation and enforcement around pollution, the Department for Infrastructure also has a key role to play in tackling the issue of sewage pollution. The minister called on the Infrastructure Minister to appear before the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee and engage with the matter.
