AQO 2354/22-27 Oral question to the Minister for Infrastructure
To ask the Minister for Infrastructure to outline any action her Department is taking to stop raw sewage being pumped into Lough Neagh.
Asked by John Blair MLA on 4 September 2025
- Answered
- Oral
- Tabled
- 4 September 2025
- Answer due by
- 15 September 2025
- Answered
- 15 September 202511 days after tabling
- Department
- Department for Infrastructure
- Priority question
- No
Answer
I am fully committed to continuing the work being taken forward through the DAERA Lough Neagh Report and Action Plan published last year and endorsed by the Executive.
The member will be aware that the Action Plan contains 37 recommendations, one of which falls under my Department’s responsibility. This is in respect of the delivery on the upgrade of Lough Neagh wastewater treatment schemes.
The investment need for the delivery on NI Water wastewater assets around Lough Neagh has already been identified, as part of the price control process, and is subject to budget availability.
NI Water has already invested £60m in Lough Neagh since 2021, and is committed to investing £36m in the remaining 3 years of the current Price Control, PC21, subject to budget availability.
I remain committed to working with Executive colleagues to secure funding for NI Water.
The crisis at Lough Neagh is something we all must work together to tackle and my Department and NI Water remain committed.