AQW 7077/22-27

Mr John Blair
Alliance Party
South Antrim

Tabled Date: 21/02/2024
Answered On Date: 14/03/2024
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs whether his Department plans to review the impact on (i) aquatic life; and (ii) the natural environment caused by sand dredging at Lough Neagh.

Answer:

A study was previously commissioned by NIEA in 2016 on the implications of sand extraction on the Lough Neagh and Lough Beg SPA and Ramsar, found that although there was potential for localised effects of dredging on aquatic plants and animals.

I intend to meet officials in the time ahead to discuss the findings within this report.