AQW 17250/17-22

Mr Andrew Muir
Alliance Party
North Down

Tabled Date: 13/04/2021
Answered On Date: 19/04/2021
Priority Written: Yes

Question:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to detail how the condition of the sale by Northern Ireland Water of Portavoe Reservoir is being enforced concerning the terms of agreement that Portavoe continues as part of his Department's Public Angling Estate.

Answer:

Portavoe Reservoir was sold by NI Water into private ownership in June 2020.

The new owner of Portavoe Reservoir has confirmed that he wishes the site to remain private and not open or accessible to the public.

My Department retains the fishing rights to this water until 2024. My officials are currently seeking legal advice regarding access rights for permit holders to fish at the site. Until this has been clarified permit holders have been advised, via the NI Direct website, that the site will remain closed to the public for the foreseeable future.