AQW 53175/22-27

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 28/09/2026
Answered On Date: 09/10/2026
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, following any actions within the Lough Neagh Action Plan recorded as delivered, to detail (i) which have resulted in a measurable improvement in the condition of Lough Neagh, including how the improvement was recorded; and (ii) how the impact of delivered actions is being evaluated.

Answer:

The environmental challenges affecting Lough Neagh have developed over decades. Scientific research indicates that, even with significant reductions in nutrient inputs, recovery may take between 20 to 40 years. As many actions within the Lough Neagh Action Plan have only recently been implemented, measurable environmental improvements are not yet expected.

The impact of actions is being assessed through an enhanced monitoring programme across the Lough and its catchment, including additional monitoring sites, high-frequency data collection and regular water quality analysis. This is establishing the evidence base needed to track trends and evaluate outcomes over time.

Data generated through this programme is being made publicly available through Lough Neagh Water Quality Dashboards found at https://daerani.maps.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/19194a16844f499681d741c41441e68c#

Given the influence of weather and other environmental factors on algal blooms, the effectiveness of interventions can only be assessed through analysis of longer-term monitoring data rather than changes observed in any single year.