AQW 51533/22-27

Mr John Blair
Alliance Party
South Antrim

Tabled Date: 10/09/2026
Answered On Date: 16/09/2026
Priority Written: Yes

Question:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs whether any assessment has been made of the environmental impact of commercial sand dredging at Lough Neagh.

Answer:

Whilst DAERA has commissioned a review of the scientific evidence around impacts from sand dredging, recent scientific evidence raises concerns in relation to commercial sand dredging in Lough Neagh, in particular, the potential for the release of previously bound nutrients which may contribute to worsening water quality and the proliferation of harmful algal blooms. These potential effects have not previously been fully assessed and may present a potential risk to the integrity of Lough Neagh and Lough Beg ASSI, SPA and Ramsar site.

Further detail is contained in the following paper: ‘Sand dredging is associated with benthic habitat alteration and chronic turbidity with profound ecological consequences likely for the UK and Ireland's largest freshwater lake’, Neil Reid et al (2026), Journal of Environmental Management https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2026.129573

Accordingly, NIEA has written to the Department for Infrastructure advising that appropriate consideration should be given to undertaking a review of existing permissions and licences, particularly with respect to Lough Neagh. For any proposed amendments to such permissions, it is also important that any evidence regarding potential impacts is taken account of.