What now?
One of Ireland's potential gems is turning into a sewer.
Some alot of dead fish starting to turn up. There too much farming run off ending up in it to start with. A hot June followed by heavy rain fall caused the issue to explode.
Inputs like farm runoff will have to be more carefully managed in future. Autumn and winter rain should help but it is a warning.
Sheughs on the southern shore run straight into the lough. If there's slurry-spreading going on as described on the other thread then that couldn't be good.
Water systems are fragile. The Israelis took too much water out of the Dead Sea.
https://youtu.be/Oqh6hGLqAG8
Fixing problems can be very expensive.
Ballyronan has got desperate looking this year. The water has a permanent later of green on top.
biggest threat to the bio-diversity of the Lough is sand dredging. The volume of famous Lough Neagh midges which feed so many fish and birds has dwindled to nothing.
Quote from: Applesisapples on August 22, 2023, 04:11:16 PM
biggest threat to the bio-diversity of the Lough is sand dredging. The volume of famous Lough Neagh midges which feed so many fish and birds has dwindled to nothing.
And that's led to an explosion in housing in the countryside. It used to be a certain type of person that would put up with living in the county with the midges coming out in their squillions in the summer evenings. Now all the townies are moving out to the lough shore where they can have a big house, so the place is turning into a big traffic-ridden suburb.
Quote from: Applesisapples on August 22, 2023, 04:11:16 PM
biggest threat to the bio-diversity of the Lough is sand dredging. The volume of famous Lough Neagh midges which feed so many fish and birds has dwindled to nothing.
Zebra mussel major problem.
Quote from: Sportacus on August 22, 2023, 08:56:00 PM
Zebra mussel major problem.
Yep. Feck all to do with the sand.
Which is probably causing other problems
Is the Tory post Brexit vote, supported by DUP, that makes it easier to pump raw sewage into lakes and sea anything to do with the sad state of Lough Neagh? A horrid bunch to vote for that.
I see 5 or 6 root causes already here but of course we all know its really due to Climate Change.
There is green algae on loads of lakes and water bodies where raw sewage isn't being pumped into, it is a sign of poor water quality though - it should start to fade away you would think when the temperatures start to cool a bit
Quote from: Itchy on August 23, 2023, 01:30:36 PM
I see 5 or 6 root causes already here but of course we all know its really due to Climate Change.
Extreme summer heat is cough cough linked to climate change.
Quote from: Saffrongael on August 23, 2023, 01:40:02 PM
There is green algae on loads of lakes and water bodies where raw sewage isn't being pumped into, it is a sign of poor water quality though - it should start to fade away you would think when the temperatures start to cool a bit
Not to the same extent as lough neagh just now though. The blue green algae is being caused by eutrophication, allsorts of things being emptied into the rivers and finding its way into lough neagh, in essence the lough is being treated as one big septic tank for the north or ireland.
The implications go above the lough also, the algae is now travelling up the bann and out onto beaches etc, mans greed and all that.
Surely the suspension of Stormont and budgeting etc isn't helping. The DUP is dysfunctional.
Quote from: seafoid on August 23, 2023, 02:19:40 PM
Surely the suspension of Stormont and budgeting etc isn't helping. The DUP is dysfunctional.
Probably not, wasnt poots minister for the environment or such? A farmer himself.
Until people with relevant expertise and knowledge are put into these posts then nothing will change, these people havent a clue and are placed in charge of these departments for a few years before the stormont merry go round starts again and they are moved somewhere else.
How long before this recovers?? Or will it ever recover?
Quote from: JimStynes on August 23, 2023, 03:01:41 PM
How long before this recovers?? Or will it ever recover?
Realistically this could take decades to recover but may never fully recover.
The lough has been dredged of sand, had thousands upon thousands of tons of raw sewage and slurry washed into it, it is on the brink of collapse.
Scary thing is 40% of the norths drinking water comes from here, not to mention bottled water from the lough neagh basin, how many chemicals are being used to turn that water from toxic green sludge into clear drinking water?
Quote from: seafoid on August 22, 2023, 05:35:40 AM
Inputs like farm runoff will have to be more carefully managed in future. Autumn and winter rain should help but it is a warning.
The rain doesnt necessarily help either, prior to weather warnings etc get out and have a look at local fields, they will be saturated in slurry and manure, the rain takes it into the watercourses and then out to lough or sea.
Much cheaper than having the slurry etc disposed.
Quote from: Upandover on August 23, 2023, 03:28:18 PM
Scary thing is 40% of the norths drinking water comes from here, not to mention bottled water from the lough neagh basin, how many chemicals are being used to turn that water from toxic green sludge into clear drinking water?
Now we know what is wrong with ye.
https://www.irishtimes.com/environment/2023/08/23/half-of-states-rivers-and-lakes-at-moderate-to-poor-ecological-status-between-2016-and-2021/
Quote from: RadioGAAGAA on August 22, 2023, 09:55:03 PM
Quote from: Sportacus on August 22, 2023, 08:56:00 PM
Zebra mussel major problem.
Yep. Feck all to do with the sand.
Which is probably causing other problems
That dredging has been going on for generations. Would it really be causing any new problems?
Quote from: Eamonnca1 on August 23, 2023, 04:35:29 PM
Quote from: RadioGAAGAA on August 22, 2023, 09:55:03 PM
Quote from: Sportacus on August 22, 2023, 08:56:00 PM
Zebra mussel major problem.
Yep. Feck all to do with the sand.
Which is probably causing other problems
That dredging has been going on for generations. Would it really be causing any new problems?
Sometimes it can take generations for things to eventually take its toll though.
It needs to brought into public ownership. All dredging etc stopped.
That Shaftesbury makes a f**king fortune of it.
Quote from: trailer on August 23, 2023, 05:32:00 PM
It needs to brought into public ownership. All dredging etc stopped.
That Shaftesbury makes a f**king fortune of it.
Fine Shaftesbury for having shite water on his property and use the money to buy it.
Farmers seem like the salt of the earth type guys
Quote from: RadioGAAGAA on August 22, 2023, 09:55:03 PM
Quote from: Sportacus on August 22, 2023, 08:56:00 PM
Zebra mussel major problem.
Yep. Feck all to do with the sand.
Which is probably causing other problems
The sand removal is a major issue, ask any of the fishermen. One expert is reported as saying it would take 800 years to repair the damage done in the last 50.
Quote from: Eamonnca1 on August 23, 2023, 04:35:29 PM
Quote from: RadioGAAGAA on August 22, 2023, 09:55:03 PM
Quote from: Sportacus on August 22, 2023, 08:56:00 PM
Zebra mussel major problem.
Yep. Feck all to do with the sand.
Which is probably causing other problems
That dredging has been going on for generations. Would it really be causing any new problems?
[/quote
I grew up on and learned to swim in the Lough. I wouldn't put a dog in it now. When I was growing up the Lough Neagh Midges swarmed in millions. On a summer night it was like smoke above the trees. Only people who grew up there could hack it. now there are houses everywhere and this year in particular not a midge in sight, down to 50 years of dredging. The extra housing due to an influx of non-natives is adding to the pressure. In addition even though the shoreline is a protected area people along the shore are levelling and filling in habitat and the DRD does not give too fucks.
Quote from: Applesisapples on August 24, 2023, 09:46:13 AM
Quote from: Eamonnca1 on August 23, 2023, 04:35:29 PM
Quote from: RadioGAAGAA on August 22, 2023, 09:55:03 PM
Quote from: Sportacus on August 22, 2023, 08:56:00 PM
Zebra mussel major problem.
Yep. Feck all to do with the sand.
Which is probably causing other problems
That dredging has been going on for generations. Would it really be causing any new problems?
I grew up on and learned to swim in the Lough. I wouldn't put a dog in it now. When I was growing up the Lough Neagh Midges swarmed in millions. On a summer night it was like smoke above the trees. Only people who grew up there could hack it. now there are houses everywhere and this year in particular not a midge in sight, down to 50 years of dredging. The extra housing due to an influx of non-natives is adding to the pressure. In addition even though the shoreline is a protected area people along the shore are levelling and filling in habitat and the DRD does not give too fucks.
People from West Belfast? ;)
Lough Neagh made it into the Irish Times today.
https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/2023/08/24/newton-emerson-too-many-cooks-turned-lough-neagh-into-a-disgusting-green-broth/
Quote from: johnnycool on August 24, 2023, 11:49:16 AM
Quote from: Applesisapples on August 24, 2023, 09:46:13 AM
Quote from: Eamonnca1 on August 23, 2023, 04:35:29 PM
Quote from: RadioGAAGAA on August 22, 2023, 09:55:03 PM
Quote from: Sportacus on August 22, 2023, 08:56:00 PM
Zebra mussel major problem.
Yep. Feck all to do with the sand.
Which is probably causing other problems
That dredging has been going on for generations. Would it really be causing any new problems?
I grew up on and learned to swim in the Lough. I wouldn't put a dog in it now. When I was growing up the Lough Neagh Midges swarmed in millions. On a summer night it was like smoke above the trees. Only people who grew up there could hack it. now there are houses everywhere and this year in particular not a midge in sight, down to 50 years of dredging. The extra housing due to an influx of non-natives is adding to the pressure. In addition even though the shoreline is a protected area people along the shore are levelling and filling in habitat and the DRD does not give too fucks.
People from West Belfast? ;)
Blaming the Westies for what the farmers are shoving into the lakes/rivers/loughs!! While the farming kids are pissing the slurry all over the Holylands!
;D
Quote from: Milltown Row2 on August 24, 2023, 12:56:00 PM
Quote from: johnnycool on August 24, 2023, 11:49:16 AM
Quote from: Applesisapples on August 24, 2023, 09:46:13 AM
Quote from: Eamonnca1 on August 23, 2023, 04:35:29 PM
Quote from: RadioGAAGAA on August 22, 2023, 09:55:03 PM
Quote from: Sportacus on August 22, 2023, 08:56:00 PM
Zebra mussel major problem.
Yep. Feck all to do with the sand.
Which is probably causing other problems
That dredging has been going on for generations. Would it really be causing any new problems?
I grew up on and learned to swim in the Lough. I wouldn't put a dog in it now. When I was growing up the Lough Neagh Midges swarmed in millions. On a summer night it was like smoke above the trees. Only people who grew up there could hack it. now there are houses everywhere and this year in particular not a midge in sight, down to 50 years of dredging. The extra housing due to an influx of non-natives is adding to the pressure. In addition even though the shoreline is a protected area people along the shore are levelling and filling in habitat and the DRD does not give too fucks.
People from West Belfast? ;)
Blaming the Westies for what the farmers are shoving into the lakes/rivers/loughs!! While the farming kids are pissing the slurry all over the Holylands!
;D
Mainly from Lurgan, even worse ;D
Sure it was formed from horse pish anyway.
Quote from: johnnycool on August 24, 2023, 11:49:16 AM
Quote from: Applesisapples on August 24, 2023, 09:46:13 AM
Quote from: Eamonnca1 on August 23, 2023, 04:35:29 PM
Quote from: RadioGAAGAA on August 22, 2023, 09:55:03 PM
Quote from: Sportacus on August 22, 2023, 08:56:00 PM
Zebra mussel major problem.
Yep. Feck all to do with the sand.
Which is probably causing other problems
That dredging has been going on for generations. Would it really be causing any new problems?
I grew up on and learned to swim in the Lough. I wouldn't put a dog in it now. When I was growing up the Lough Neagh Midges swarmed in millions. On a summer night it was like smoke above the trees. Only people who grew up there could hack it. now there are houses everywhere and this year in particular not a midge in sight, down to 50 years of dredging. The extra housing due to an influx of non-natives is adding to the pressure. In addition even though the shoreline is a protected area people along the shore are levelling and filling in habitat and the DRD does not give too fucks.
People from West Belfast? ;)
Townies from Lurgan really. Living in the country as a lifestyle choice, able to enjoy more space, a bigger house, etc.. Last time I was there I was struck by the absence of the midges and the growing size of houses. The midges used to keep them away from even visiting the place to say nothing of living there, but that's no longer stopping them. I remember when the house of the McConaghys (Ashburn/Court House owners) on the Lough Road was the biggest and most impressive house in town, but now houses of that size or bigger have been thrown up along the ramparts of Derrytrasna.
According to Wikipedia the Lough provides 40% of the North's drinking water.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lough_Neagh
Was down near the lough yesterday for the first time in a while, and the smell hit you even a few miles away
https://www.antrimguardian.co.uk/news/2023/08/21/gallery/lough-neagh-is-bleeding-to-death-45925/#:~:text=A%20foul%20odour%20being%20reported,so%20strong%20is%20the%20smell. (https://www.antrimguardian.co.uk/news/2023/08/21/gallery/lough-neagh-is-bleeding-to-death-45925/#:~:text=A%20foul%20odour%20being%20reported,so%20strong%20is%20the%20smell.)
They need to get their finger out and measure water quality on different flows in the upper Bann and the lake, and tackle the worst cases immediately.
So what's the solution?
Will dredging the rivers help? I believe there was protests about that lately .
Was in Warrenpoint during the week. The smell of the place would've turned you whatever it was. Flys everywhere as well.
Quote from: AustinPowers on September 10, 2023, 02:10:15 PM
So what's the solution?
Will dredging the rivers help? I believe there was protests about that lately .
Why would dredging help this issue?
The lough has been treated like the norths septic tank with all manner of literal shite washed into it, this is the reason behind the algae in a nutshell.
Are a lot of nitrates flowing into the Lough on top of everything else ?
Yes, all manner of things being washed into the lough.
Slurry, fertiliser, sewage, as i said one large septic tank.
Quote from: Upandover on September 10, 2023, 03:50:28 PM
Quote from: AustinPowers on September 10, 2023, 02:10:15 PM
So what's the solution?
Will dredging the rivers help? I believe there was protests about that lately .
Why would dredging help this issue?
The lough has been treated like the norths septic tank with all manner of literal shite washed into it, this is the reason behind the algae in a nutshell.
But surely all that crap has been emptying into the Lough for years. Why now are we only seeing the algae on this scale?
It has been there, just not to this extent, i assume it has taken a buildup of nutrients entering the lough for years that has lead to this tipping point and a complete explosion of algae.
Zebra mussels were introduced also which helps with water clarity but has enabled the sun to penetrate further and add to this issue.
It will only get worse also.
Interesting debate from a few years ago.
Unionists didn't want Lough Neagh in case it was part of a devious United Ireland ploy.
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/ni/?id=2012-04-17.1.1
Get her drained and give Tyrone another county to beat ;D
https://reddit.com/r/northernireland/s/1z1wMqYEtB
More of the stuff on the Down and Antrim side?
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F5sof7IaoAAG_rP?format=jpg&name=900x900)
Quote from: armaghniac on September 10, 2023, 11:56:30 PM
More of the stuff on the Down and Antrim side?
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F5sof7IaoAAG_rP?format=jpg&name=900x900)
Down? Armagh surely
Quote from: clonian on September 11, 2023, 02:19:20 PM
Quote from: armaghniac on September 10, 2023, 11:56:30 PM
More of the stuff on the Down and Antrim side?
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F5sof7IaoAAG_rP?format=jpg&name=900x900)
Down? Armagh surely
Antrim, Wee bit of Down and Armagh
Never realised there was any of Lough Neagh in Down. Not much of it to be fair.
Is that effect due to wind direction (south easterly) or is most of the contamination on the Antrim side?
https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/video-news/watch-sam-mcbrides-in-depth-look-at-lough-neaghs-blue-green-algae-crisis/a1939137878.html
Pretty grim video of what's going on there!
Quote from: screenexile on September 11, 2023, 04:06:12 PM
https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/video-news/watch-sam-mcbrides-in-depth-look-at-lough-neaghs-blue-green-algae-crisis/a1939137878.html
Pretty grim video of what's going on there!
That is shocking
Quote from: clonian on September 11, 2023, 03:40:28 PM
Never realised there was any of Lough Neagh in Down. Not much of it to be fair.
Is that effect due to wind direction (south easterly) or is most of the contamination on the Antrim side?
The only county in the occupied territories that doesn't have access to the lake is Fermanagh
It's about 10moke up the Bann too, basically were water not flowing the river.
Good point.
Quote from: clonian on September 11, 2023, 03:40:28 PM
Never realised there was any of Lough Neagh in Down. Not much of it to be fair.
Its literally a field or two of god's county marching the lough, no more than that.
Quote from: screenexile on September 11, 2023, 04:06:12 PM
https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/video-news/watch-sam-mcbrides-in-depth-look-at-lough-neaghs-blue-green-algae-crisis/a1939137878.html
Pretty grim video of what's going on there!
Is the algae processing the nutrients in the water or has the ecosystem collapsed ?
Happy to pay him exactly what he paid for the Lough. Seems a fair price.
By Tara Mills
BBC News NI
The man who owns the bed and soil of Lough Neagh has said he is still willing to sell it to the public - but won't give it away for free.
The ownership has been in the Earl of Shaftesbury's estate since the 1800s.
Campaigners say pollution is killing the lake, with wildlife and birds suffering after blue-green algal blooms over the summer.
Lough Neagh supplies half of Belfast's drinking water and 40% of Northern Ireland's overall.
The rights to the lough were given a price tag of £6m 10 years ago, but civil servants at the time advised the government not to go ahead with the sale. It is not known why.
'I always get blamed'
Nicolas Ashley-Cooper, who is the 12th member of his family to hold the title of Earl of Shaftesbury, told BBC News NI that a sale was something he was willing to discuss again.
Blue-green algae at Lough Neagh
Image caption,
The blooms are the result of settled weather, invasive species and water pollution - mostly due to agriculture
"The situation with the sale is one that's borne out of an understanding that my ownership has always been very divisive and quite political and I always get blamed for things that are completely outside of my control," he said.
"I feel it's often used as an excuse for political inaction and I always want to do the right thing by the people living here and what's in the best interest of the lough.
"I remain open to what's the best outcome for the lough."
But the Earl of Shaftesbury said he would not consider gifting it.
"I'm well aware there are people who think that way but I'd like to be treated as any other business owner and the business has a value," he said.
"If we were going to get into a conversation about ownership, then that would be taken account of."
Lough Neagh
IMAGE SOURCE,MARK GEDDIS
Image caption,
Some angling groups say pollution in the lough is putting livelihoods at risk
The ownership has been mired in controversy for hundreds of years and, in the past, there have been legal battles over fishing and hunting rights with the Shaftesbury Estate.
The earl does not think the latest environmental crisis is his responsibility.
"The issues at the moment are to do with the water, and our ownership is the bed and soil so the current situation is not our responsibility," he said.
"We are a stakeholder, though, of Lough Neagh and we are keen to be proactive in these discussions about how we come to a solution."
Some angling groups have said pollution in the lough is putting livelihoods at risk.
Lough Neagh is also home to the largest commercial wild eel fishery in Europe.
Anglers have been advised to catch and release fish that have been within the lough because of the risk the algae poses.
https://twitter.com/KilclooneyJohn/status/1709625715795062810
Lord John Kilclooney @KilclooneyJohn
Lough Neagh belongs to the people of Northern Ireland. The Earl of Shaftesbury never bought it and after hundreds of years his ownership should be cancelled. Why should someone living in England and who rarely ever has been in Northern Ireland benefit millions of pounds ??
Quote from: dec on October 04, 2023, 09:08:52 PMhttps://twitter.com/KilclooneyJohn/status/1709625715795062810
Lord John Kilclooney @KilclooneyJohn
Lough Neagh belongs to the people of Northern Ireland. The Earl of Shaftesbury never bought it and after hundreds of years his ownership should be cancelled. Why should someone living in England and who rarely ever has been in Northern Ireland benefit millions of pounds ??
There's a bit or 'irony?' about that comment from him
Quote from: dec on October 04, 2023, 09:08:52 PMhttps://twitter.com/KilclooneyJohn/status/1709625715795062810
Lord John Kilclooney @KilclooneyJohn
Lough Neagh belongs to the people of Northern Ireland. The Earl of Shaftesbury never bought it and after hundreds of years his ownership should be cancelled. Why should someone living in England and who rarely ever has been in Northern Ireland benefit millions of pounds ??
Another cracker from John Looney
I take it the London Livery Companies who were gifted vast swathes of Derry in the 1600's would be held to the same standard?
If so, there'll be a good few lads looking for their 20 acres!
What is the plan to fix the lough?
Have heard of a
Quote from: seafoid on October 05, 2023, 07:02:35 PMWhat is the plan to fix the lough?
Have heard of a bar selling a bright green cocktail called the Lough Neagh, so there's that.
Quote from: seafoid on October 05, 2023, 07:02:35 PMWhat is the plan to fix the lough?
Lots of authoritive bodies will put out statements saying "we are looking into...we are liaising with... we have met with..." etc.... bullsh1t statements that mean nothing at all
Nothing of note will be done, then the wintry weather will reduce algae somewhat , media will stop covering it until next summer, and it all begins again.
A bit like the bonfires and marching season
Surely regulating fertilisers would be a good start
Quote from: seafoid on October 05, 2023, 07:02:35 PMWhat is the plan to fix the lough?
can we not just lift out the plug then refill it?
I try to avoid reading twitter posts from loyalists, it is not good for my health. It is a real eye opener the amount of vile loyalists there are in this country.
I remember seeing one during the elections from a loyalist calling Sinn Fein voters "plastic paddies" and he said "No wonder the Irish are viewed as stupid by the rest of the world". So he called us plastic paddies and then in the same sentence called us Irish. I don't think loyalists can make up their minds what we are.
Quote from: Eamonnca1 on October 05, 2023, 09:05:47 PMSurely regulating fertilisers would be a good start
Sewage has been allowed to run into it for years by all accounts. That didn't help
And those Zebra mussels would need to feck off back to their own country! (I think I've been following Kilcooney too long on twitter)
Quote from: AustinPowers on October 05, 2023, 10:26:45 PMAnd those Zebra mussels would need to feck off back to their own country! (I think I've been following Kilcooney too long on twitter)
It's a shame what has been allowed to happen to it with invasive species. Tahoe, on my doorstep, has the most stringent of boating policies, paddleboard and fisherman polices (considering half of the lake is in California it is not surprising). If your boat leaves the water (as in you don't buy a buoy or a docking station), you are screened upon re entry. All of the lakes in the sierras have the same policy for those boating nomads that don't dock in Tahoe year round. Yet this year a new invasive species of snail (New Zealand mud snails whatever the f**k they are) arrived in Tahoe, posing a significant threat to the ecosystem and a lake whos clarity and sheer amazingness drives billions in tourism. What boating restrictions are in place in Lough Neagh? A huge part of this is the landed gentry that own the basin and the soil - but sometimes (and I am ready to be corrected), in Ireland our own halfassery is complicit in our issues. Florida Everglades and the Burmese Python are a clear example of what an invasive species can do to a local ecosystem.
I see Muir the environment minister is meeting Shaftsbury, the f@cker who wants to sell us back our own property. Time dredging was banned as well.
Algae problem is back apparently.
Quote from: Armagh18 on June 25, 2024, 11:23:52 PMAlgae problem is back apparently.
It hadn't gone away, you know!
Quote from: Applesisapples on February 20, 2024, 03:39:07 PMI see Muir the environment minister is meeting Shaftsbury, the f@cker who wants to sell us back our own property. Time dredging was banned as well.
If dredging stops will that not raise the water level of the Lough?
Quote from: AustinPowers on October 05, 2023, 09:01:57 PMQuote from: seafoid on October 05, 2023, 07:02:35 PMWhat is the plan to fix the lough?
Lots of authoritive bodies will put out statements saying "we are looking into...we are liaising with... we have met with..." etc.... bullsh1t statements that mean nothing at all
Nothing of note will be done, then the wintry weather will reduce algae somewhat , media will stop covering it until next summer, and it all begins again.
A bit like the bonfires and marching season
Do you honestly think for a moment Stormont has the wherewithal to fix Lough Neagh? It would require a very well funded and coordinated plan involving multiple groups. They have proven time and again that they are incapable of making decisions never mind delivering anything.
They should get Finn McCool back to throw the Isle of Man back into it.You could call it Contae Mhannanáin.
The Environment Minister has published his plan.
"Engagement" on sustainable farming.
A fund to "explore" solutions.
Sand dredging "review".
Enforcement "Taskforce".
Stormont is just a big embarrassing talking shop. A merry band of civil servants will now knock ten years out of this, running them nicely up to their pension. Same craic with Casement. God help us all.
Quote from: Sportacus on July 02, 2024, 08:04:10 PMThe Environment Minister has published his plan.
"Engagement" on sustainable farming.
A fund to "explore" solutions.
Sand dredging "review".
Enforcement "Taskforce".
Stormont is just a big embarrassing talking shop. A merry band of civil servants will now knock ten years out of this, running them nicely up to their pension. Same craic with Casement. God help us all.
That's not the civil servants fault, all they are doing is responding to Ministerial direction.
Quote from: Sportacus on July 02, 2024, 08:04:10 PMThe Environment Minister has published his plan.
"Engagement" on sustainable farming.
A fund to "explore" solutions.
Sand dredging "review".
Enforcement "Taskforce".
Stormont is just a big embarrassing talking shop. A merry band of civil servants will now knock ten years out of this, running them nicely up to their pension. Same craic with Casement. God help us all.
It sure is.
The warmer weather is coming and the algae is rearing is head again , so they have to be seen to be doing something.
Put out nonsense and gibberish statements to justify their positions and big wages.
Quote from: AustinPowers on July 02, 2024, 10:42:38 PMQuote from: Sportacus on July 02, 2024, 08:04:10 PMThe Environment Minister has published his plan.
"Engagement" on sustainable farming.
A fund to "explore" solutions.
Sand dredging "review".
Enforcement "Taskforce".
Stormont is just a big embarrassing talking shop. A merry band of civil servants will now knock ten years out of this, running them nicely up to their pension. Same craic with Casement. God help us all.
It sure is.
The warmer weather is coming and the algae is rearing is head again , so they have to be seen to be doing something.
Put out nonsense and gibberish statements to justify their positions and big wages.
I see the Lough Neagh Partnership are publicly calling out Stormont - the algae is back, a plan was published, but the Assembly went into recess before it was approved. Bunch of bluffers.
Nothing would happen anyway. None of the parties are willing to go after farmers responsible for most of the pollution. Muir of Alliance sitting on the fence as usual.
The amount of fish kills in rivers all over the north is crazy.
Between businesses and farmers etc.
Then a slap on the wrist.
Quote from: weareros on July 16, 2024, 05:54:07 PMNothing would happen anyway. None of the parties are willing to go after farmers responsible for most of the pollution. Muir of Alliance sitting on the fence as usual.
That's Alliance in a nutshell. If someone sitting on a fence is not on their party emblem , it should be.
But this is not just on them. It's all of them, the useless shower of sh1tes
Quote from: weareros on July 16, 2024, 05:54:07 PMNothing would happen anyway. None of the parties are willing to go after farmers responsible for most of the pollution. Muir of Alliance sitting on the fence as usual.
You can't "go after" them if they've done nothing illegal. Just change the law.
New law - if your fields are not of sufficiently low nitrogen and phosphate, then you cannot sell livestock. Same as a TB or brucelosis test. That'll put a stop to it in a year.
Quote from: Sportacus on July 16, 2024, 05:37:32 PMQuote from: AustinPowers on July 02, 2024, 10:42:38 PMQuote from: Sportacus on July 02, 2024, 08:04:10 PMThe Environment Minister has published his plan.
"Engagement" on sustainable farming.
A fund to "explore" solutions.
Sand dredging "review".
Enforcement "Taskforce".
Stormont is just a big embarrassing talking shop. A merry band of civil servants will now knock ten years out of this, running them nicely up to their pension. Same craic with Casement. God help us all.
It sure is.
The warmer weather is coming and the algae is rearing is head again , so they have to be seen to be doing something.
Put out nonsense and gibberish statements to justify their positions and big wages.
I see the Lough Neagh Partnership are publicly calling out Stormont - the algae is back, a plan was published, but the Assembly went into recess before it was approved. Bunch of bluffers.
Where are you seeing this?
Quote from: RadioGAAGAA on July 16, 2024, 06:28:59 PMQuote from: weareros on July 16, 2024, 05:54:07 PMNothing would happen anyway. None of the parties are willing to go after farmers responsible for most of the pollution. Muir of Alliance sitting on the fence as usual.
You can't "go after" them if they've done nothing illegal. Just change the law.
New law - if your fields are not of sufficiently low nitrogen and phosphate, then you cannot sell livestock. Same as a TB or brucelosis test. That'll put a stop to it in a year.
The pollution is illegal as far as I know but Poots reduced the fines before DUP pulled down Stormont, and Muir has opted to leave those reduced fines intact. But took some good photos of himself, Michele and Pengelly walking by lakes.
Quote from: weareros on July 16, 2024, 07:06:04 PMThe pollution is illegal as far as I know
They aren't dumping into the lough, and are dispensing slurry within the legally prescribed dates.
Existing law doesn't cover it - unless something has changed I'm not aware of.
As far as I am aware, its illegal for slurry spills into rivers. Walking the Upper bann the nite, you can see algae starting to built up on the boat slipways.
Quote from: RadioGAAGAA on July 16, 2024, 07:10:15 PMQuote from: weareros on July 16, 2024, 07:06:04 PMThe pollution is illegal as far as I know
They aren't dumping into the lough, and are dispensing slurry within the legally prescribed dates.
Existing law doesn't cover it - unless something has changed I'm not aware of.
How would anyone know. DAERA has an agreement with Ulster Farmers Union to ignore low level pollution (whatever that means). There's also restrictions on checks. Multiply that pure cowboy law across 1000s of farmers and you have environmental disasters like Lough Neagh. And if they are caught Stormont has them covered with minimal sanctions.
Quote from: JohnDenver on July 16, 2024, 07:05:04 PMQuote from: Sportacus on July 16, 2024, 05:37:32 PMQuote from: AustinPowers on July 02, 2024, 10:42:38 PMQuote from: Sportacus on July 02, 2024, 08:04:10 PMThe Environment Minister has published his plan.
"Engagement" on sustainable farming.
A fund to "explore" solutions.
Sand dredging "review".
Enforcement "Taskforce".
Stormont is just a big embarrassing talking shop. A merry band of civil servants will now knock ten years out of this, running them nicely up to their pension. Same craic with Casement. God help us all.
It sure is.
The warmer weather is coming and the algae is rearing is head again , so they have to be seen to be doing something.
Put out nonsense and gibberish statements to justify their positions and big wages.
I see the Lough Neagh Partnership are publicly calling out Stormont - the algae is back, a plan was published, but the Assembly went into recess before it was approved. Bunch of bluffers.
Where are you seeing this?
They published a statement.
To be fair, it's farmers, septic tanks, industrial run off, NI Water. Hell of a mess. Completely beyond the capabilities of Stormont.
Quote from: Sportacus on July 16, 2024, 10:31:15 PMQuote from: JohnDenver on July 16, 2024, 07:05:04 PMQuote from: Sportacus on July 16, 2024, 05:37:32 PMQuote from: AustinPowers on July 02, 2024, 10:42:38 PMQuote from: Sportacus on July 02, 2024, 08:04:10 PMThe Environment Minister has published his plan.
"Engagement" on sustainable farming.
A fund to "explore" solutions.
Sand dredging "review".
Enforcement "Taskforce".
Stormont is just a big embarrassing talking shop. A merry band of civil servants will now knock ten years out of this, running them nicely up to their pension. Same craic with Casement. God help us all.
It sure is.
The warmer weather is coming and the algae is rearing is head again , so they have to be seen to be doing something.
Put out nonsense and gibberish statements to justify their positions and big wages.
I see the Lough Neagh Partnership are publicly calling out Stormont - the algae is back, a plan was published, but the Assembly went into recess before it was approved. Bunch of bluffers.
Where are you seeing this?
They published a statement.
have you got a link to it?
Only one I can see is from July 2nd here
https://t.co/GeJ885U8aU
Quote from: JohnDenver on July 17, 2024, 08:42:15 AMQuote from: Sportacus on July 16, 2024, 10:31:15 PMQuote from: JohnDenver on July 16, 2024, 07:05:04 PMQuote from: Sportacus on July 16, 2024, 05:37:32 PMQuote from: AustinPowers on July 02, 2024, 10:42:38 PMQuote from: Sportacus on July 02, 2024, 08:04:10 PMThe Environment Minister has published his plan.
"Engagement" on sustainable farming.
A fund to "explore" solutions.
Sand dredging "review".
Enforcement "Taskforce".
Stormont is just a big embarrassing talking shop. A merry band of civil servants will now knock ten years out of this, running them nicely up to their pension. Same craic with Casement. God help us all.
It sure is.
The warmer weather is coming and the algae is rearing is head again , so they have to be seen to be doing something.
Put out nonsense and gibberish statements to justify their positions and big wages.
I see the Lough Neagh Partnership are publicly calling out Stormont - the algae is back, a plan was published, but the Assembly went into recess before it was approved. Bunch of bluffers.
Where are you seeing this?
They published a statement.
have you got a link to it?
Only one I can see is from July 2nd here
https://t.co/GeJ885U8aU
Where I noticed it was Amanda Ferguson who put it on Twitter saying they'd issued a new media release.
Quote from: Sportacus on July 17, 2024, 09:33:42 AMQuote from: JohnDenver on July 17, 2024, 08:42:15 AMQuote from: Sportacus on July 16, 2024, 10:31:15 PMQuote from: JohnDenver on July 16, 2024, 07:05:04 PMQuote from: Sportacus on July 16, 2024, 05:37:32 PMQuote from: AustinPowers on July 02, 2024, 10:42:38 PMQuote from: Sportacus on July 02, 2024, 08:04:10 PMThe Environment Minister has published his plan.
"Engagement" on sustainable farming.
A fund to "explore" solutions.
Sand dredging "review".
Enforcement "Taskforce".
Stormont is just a big embarrassing talking shop. A merry band of civil servants will now knock ten years out of this, running them nicely up to their pension. Same craic with Casement. God help us all.
It sure is.
The warmer weather is coming and the algae is rearing is head again , so they have to be seen to be doing something.
Put out nonsense and gibberish statements to justify their positions and big wages.
I see the Lough Neagh Partnership are publicly calling out Stormont - the algae is back, a plan was published, but the Assembly went into recess before it was approved. Bunch of bluffers.
Where are you seeing this?
They published a statement.
have you got a link to it?
Only one I can see is from July 2nd here
https://t.co/GeJ885U8aU
Where I noticed it was Amanda Ferguson who put it on Twitter saying they'd issued a new media release.
Thanks, I see it on her twitter page now. It's strange they didn't publish it themselves. (not that it takes away from the fact of the lack of progress)
NEW: Media release issued on behalf of Lough Neagh Partnership
July 16, 2024
PROFOUND DISAPPOINTMENT FOR LOUGH NEAGH PARTNERSHIP AS ALGAE RESURFACES
With the visible impact of alarming toxic blue green algae once again surfacing on the shoreline and across the UK and Ireland's largest freshwater lake, Lough Neagh Partnership has expressed its profound disappointment over the Northern Ireland Executive's failure to approve a critical action plan to prioritise addressing this environmental catastrophe.
Whilst Lough Neagh Partnership expressed support for the announcement made by Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Andrew Muir MLA, that the 20 point Lough Neagh Report and Action Plan would be delivered, subject to Northern Ireland Executive approval, there is frustration that elected representatives have left for summer recess while the algae rages yet the plan languishes unapproved.
Speaking about the visibility of the algae on Lough Neagh, Gerry Darby said: "It has come as no surprise that the algae is back with a vengeance, as it was only a matter of time with the right weather conditions that it would reappear. We consistently campaigned over the winter for action to be taken, as we feared that momentum would be lost once the algae disappeared below the surface and it would be a case of out of sight out of mind. We met with the main political parties and, despite assurances that immediate action would be taken upon Stormont's return, in reality we have not seen any of the promised efforts to resolve the crisis.
"Whilst we have put on record that we have welcomed the plan presented by Minister Muir, we are utterly disheartened by the lack of consensus to approve and implement it. As a result, we face another summer watching this ecological disaster unfold, powerless to intervene."
For information on the work of Lough Neagh Partnership, please visit http://loughneaghpartnership.org
The Agriculture minister moved to increase penalties on farmers who break environmental, welfare and traceability rules last month. Edwin Poots had reduced the penalties after the UK left the EU, the alliance minister Muir moved to increase the penalty back in line with EU rules. These changes would affect a tiny, tiny number of farmers, 53 last year, who broke the rules.
The Assembly Agriculture Committee met to discuss the changes and the entire committee (except for 1 Allaince member) voted to block the change. That includes 3 SF members and 3 DUP members.
So next time you feel like complaining about what farmers are doing to Lough Neagh and smearing all with the one brush please remember that it's the politicians who continually act to prevent any positive changes happening in Northern Ireland. Expect when it's a committee or board or taking shop where they can siphon off expenses and salary for themselves.
Poots is a farmer, and never should been in the position to lower the fines as it was a conflict of interest.
A dubious character with nothing but self interest at heart. This, planning stuff with his kid, "gay" blood and I am sure the list goes on.
Quote from: imtommygunn on December 16, 2024, 09:47:18 PMA dubious character with nothing but self interest at heart. This, planning stuff with his kid, "gay" blood and I am sure the list goes on.
Look at the family history of both young and old.
Yep. Grandfather, father, son. A bad lot.
Quote from: Wildweasel74 on December 16, 2024, 09:09:47 PMPoots is a farmer, and never should been in the position to lower the fines as it was a conflict of interest.
SF have supported Poots decision to lower the fines through 2 DAERA committees and an Assembly vote. When it comes to backing Poots, SF and SDLP are his biggest supporters. Your attitude is typical of the one that makes NI such an inefficient shithole, so long as someone is "one of ours" they can do what they want without criticism.
Just a reminder that all 4 main parties voted against a tightening of rules around penalties last week in Stormont. Only Alliance and PBP voted for environmental enforcement rules to once again be brought back in line with EU counterparts.
The 4 parties opposed it twice at committee level and now publicly in the chamber. Only 35 farmers would have been affected by the change in 2023, ie a tiny subset who repeatedly broke the rules.
Please don't tell me how farmers are ruining the countryside when your elected representatives can't even make the most basic attempt to implement change. Bear all this in mind this summer when Lough Neagh turns to glue again and SF/DUP bullshit merchants tell us all how they've "set up a committee" and are "finding a way forward".
Quote from: trileacman on February 11, 2025, 10:07:08 AMJust a reminder that all 4 main parties voted against a tightening of rules around penalties last week in Stormont. Only Alliance and PBP voted for environmental enforcement rules to once again be brought back in line with EU counterparts.
The 4 parties opposed it twice at committee level and now publicly in the chamber. Only 35 farmers would have been affected by the change in 2023, ie a tiny subset who repeatedly broke the rules.
Please don't tell me how farmers are ruining the countryside when your elected representatives can't even make the most basic attempt to implement change. Bear all this in mind this summer when Lough Neagh turns to glue again and SF/DUP bullshit merchants tell us all how they've "set up a committee" and are "finding a way forward".
Nail on head :(
Quote from: trileacman on February 11, 2025, 10:07:08 AMJust a reminder that all 4 main parties voted against a tightening of rules around penalties last week in Stormont. Only Alliance and PBP voted for environmental enforcement rules to once again be brought back in line with EU counterparts.
The 4 parties opposed it twice at committee level and now publicly in the chamber. Only 35 farmers would have been affected by the change in 2023, ie a tiny subset who repeatedly broke the rules.
Please don't tell me how farmers are ruining the countryside when your elected representatives can't even make the most basic attempt to implement change. Bear all this in mind this summer when Lough Neagh turns to glue again and SF/DUP bullshit merchants tell us all how they've "set up a committee" and are "finding a way forward".
Stormont is not fit for purpose. End of story
Quote from: AustinPowers on February 11, 2025, 12:00:15 PMQuote from: trileacman on February 11, 2025, 10:07:08 AMJust a reminder that all 4 main parties voted against a tightening of rules around penalties last week in Stormont. Only Alliance and PBP voted for environmental enforcement rules to once again be brought back in line with EU counterparts.
The 4 parties opposed it twice at committee level and now publicly in the chamber. Only 35 farmers would have been affected by the change in 2023, ie a tiny subset who repeatedly broke the rules.
Please don't tell me how farmers are ruining the countryside when your elected representatives can't even make the most basic attempt to implement change. Bear all this in mind this summer when Lough Neagh turns to glue again and SF/DUP bullshit merchants tell us all how they've "set up a committee" and are "finding a way forward".
Stormont is not fit for purpose. End of story
When we take over, it's going to a rude awakening for a lot of people!
Our efficiency drive will put a bit of order on the place.
There's even been talk of building a Lough Neagh Riviera resort.
Quote from: Tubberman on February 11, 2025, 12:55:06 PMQuote from: AustinPowers on February 11, 2025, 12:00:15 PMQuote from: trileacman on February 11, 2025, 10:07:08 AMJust a reminder that all 4 main parties voted against a tightening of rules around penalties last week in Stormont. Only Alliance and PBP voted for environmental enforcement rules to once again be brought back in line with EU counterparts.
The 4 parties opposed it twice at committee level and now publicly in the chamber. Only 35 farmers would have been affected by the change in 2023, ie a tiny subset who repeatedly broke the rules.
Please don't tell me how farmers are ruining the countryside when your elected representatives can't even make the most basic attempt to implement change. Bear all this in mind this summer when Lough Neagh turns to glue again and SF/DUP bullshit merchants tell us all how they've "set up a committee" and are "finding a way forward".
Stormont is not fit for purpose. End of story
When we take over, it's going to a rude awakening for a lot of people!
Our efficiency drive will put a bit of order on the place.
There's even been talk of building a Lough Neagh Riviera resort.
You sending the prods to Egypt?
Quote from: AustinPowers on February 11, 2025, 12:00:15 PMQuote from: trileacman on February 11, 2025, 10:07:08 AMJust a reminder that all 4 main parties voted against a tightening of rules around penalties last week in Stormont. Only Alliance and PBP voted for environmental enforcement rules to once again be brought back in line with EU counterparts.
The 4 parties opposed it twice at committee level and now publicly in the chamber. Only 35 farmers would have been affected by the change in 2023, ie a tiny subset who repeatedly broke the rules.
Please don't tell me how farmers are ruining the countryside when your elected representatives can't even make the most basic attempt to implement change. Bear all this in mind this summer when Lough Neagh turns to glue again and SF/DUP bullshit merchants tell us all how they've "set up a committee" and are "finding a way forward".
Stormont is not fit for purpose. End of story
+1
Sometimes politics is about making the hard calls regardless how it impacts people.
Not all of the time but a lot of the time when it comes to hard calls here our politicians can not / will not do it.
Something needs done with Lough Neagh, do you think the Scottish Government would do nothing if it was Loch Ness.
Is it the politicians or the political system at fault the most?
Quote from: trueblue1234 on February 12, 2025, 10:21:19 AMIs it the politicians or the political system at fault the most?
or the voters perhaps? People within smell of Lough Neagh will continue to vote SF or the DUP although they are doing nothing about it.
Quote from: armaghniac on February 12, 2025, 11:00:37 AMQuote from: trueblue1234 on February 12, 2025, 10:21:19 AMIs it the politicians or the political system at fault the most?
or the voters perhaps? People within smell of Lough Neagh will continue to vote SF or the DUP although they are doing nothing about it.
Doesn't matter who you vote for imo what actually gets one is above their pay grade and they just go along with it.
Quote from: Last Man on February 12, 2025, 11:19:44 AMQuote from: armaghniac on February 12, 2025, 11:00:37 AMQuote from: trueblue1234 on February 12, 2025, 10:21:19 AMIs it the politicians or the political system at fault the most?
or the voters perhaps? People within smell of Lough Neagh will continue to vote SF or the DUP although they are doing nothing about it.
Doesn't matter who you vote for imo what actually gets one is above their pay grade and they just go along with it.
Not true, if the parties believed that they would lose votes then they would take an interest in this. No way would a big lake in the 26 turning blue-green not become an issue.
Quote from: armaghniac on February 12, 2025, 12:57:40 PMQuote from: Last Man on February 12, 2025, 11:19:44 AMQuote from: armaghniac on February 12, 2025, 11:00:37 AMQuote from: trueblue1234 on February 12, 2025, 10:21:19 AMIs it the politicians or the political system at fault the most?
or the voters perhaps? People within smell of Lough Neagh will continue to vote SF or the DUP although they are doing nothing about it.
Doesn't matter who you vote for imo what actually gets one is above their pay grade and they just go along with it.
Not true, if the parties believed that they would lose votes then they would take an interest in this. No way would a big lake in the 26 turning blue-green not become an issue.
They'd rather debate some random motion all day, rather than actually make a decision on anything. Bunch of spoofers.
Lough Neagh as bad as ever again this summer it seems
Is anything at all being done?
Will it ever be done?
The state of the Lough kind of sums up the failed sectarian statelet and the totally inept shower of spoofers in charge
What an absolute cesspit. The Lough is pretty bad too.
Quote from: AustinPowers on August 23, 2025, 10:30:27 PMLough Neagh as bad as ever again this summer it seems
Is anything at all being done?
Will it ever be done?
The state of the Lough kind of sums up the failed sectarian statelet and the totally inept shower of spoofers in charge
What an absolute cesspit. The Lough is pretty bad too.
What can be done at this stage? How do you even go about fixing the likes of this situation. It will surely take generations to sort. I live beside the lough and always remember summers spent with young owns swimming in the lough where I live (even then I didn't think it was the cleanest place). Very sad to see it in its current state!
Farms , businesses should be seized if responsibility can be proven..which would be a fair task. Goes to show you need good [and strong] government. Theres no excuse for it whatsoever.
Remember walking the small rivers running into the Ballinderry river for yrs when I was younger. Back when even them rivers were full of fish. Even dredged it a few times. They never had that issue then. Was walking along the river at Clady the other nite had long stretchs covered in algae. Anywhere where the water still the algae blooming! Monvagher canal, Portna locks etc all have a built up of Algae.
I have buckets here with just stagnant rain water in them and they have blue green algae growing in them. My guess is with the warming climate this is a consequence and will be seen in most fresh water lakes
Quote from: AustinPowers on August 23, 2025, 10:30:27 PMLough Neagh as bad as ever again this summer it seems
Is anything at all being done?
Will it ever be done?
The state of the Lough kind of sums up the failed sectarian statelet and the totally inept shower of spoofers in charge
What an absolute cesspit. The Lough is pretty bad too.
Even before all this, I'd been harping on (to the wife) that Lough Neagh was so underused. It'll never be a Lake Garda, but there was so much potential there for tourism right along the shores.
No one was interested.
https://m.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/opinion/columnists/sam-mcbride/how-your-christmas-turkey-is-killing-lough-neagh-the-lie-of-cheap-meat-contains-a-hidden-cost-which-can-no-longer-be-ignored/a1877892150.html
For half the year, Lough Neagh is a luminescent green swamp of stenching toxicity. For the other half of the year it's water is deceptively clear but no less polluted as the toxic cyanobacteria feeding on the excrement and fertiliser being flushed into the lough sinks down in the water, waiting for the perfect condition to rise again and explode into life.Two days ago Stormont's Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) published a report on the state of Northern Ireland's rivers and lakes. In short, they're in crisis.
Lough Neagh's pollution as seen at Battery Harbour near Cookstown in August (Niall Carson/PA)
This is no natural disaster; the report accepted that "human activities continue to put considerable pressure on Northern Ireland's water environment".
Just 29 % of our surface water bodies are achieving 'good' ecological status; none of them are achieving 'good' ratings for chemical pollution. Both indicators are still getting worse. We haven't even turned the corner towards a cleaning-up process which will take decades and cost billions.
Even the Department of Agriculture — long a champion of intensive farming — now admits that agriculture is polluting 67% of our water bodies and intercoastal basins. Elements of Stormont became quasi-lobbyists for intensive agriculture in Northern Ireland, despite knowing the vast environmental problems it involved.
Ten years ago a senior Stormont official privately referred to helping poultry behemoth Moy Park — which controls almost all of the chicken meat market in Northern Ireland — as a strategic imperative akin to how government funded the Challenger tank.
Stormont in its supplicant naivety viewed a hugely profitable multinational company shovelling money to its shareholders in Brazil and the USA as something not dissimilar to the defence of the country.
As well as pollution by intensive factory farms themselves, last year a BBC Spotlight investigation uncovered that Moy Park has hundreds of times breached legal pollution limits for water discharges from its slaughterhouses.The grossly short-term thinking which has prompted this intensive agriculture boom has consequences which will be borne by us and by our children for decades to come.
Even if all the pollution entering Lough Neagh was to stop immediately — and it's still getting worse — it is believed that two decades would need to pass before it might be in a good state of health.
Meanwhile Stormont make £100k available to assist the eel men. A hundred thousand - wouldn't buy you a back garden these days.
Nothing will ever be done while the department mollycoddling the Ulster Farmers Union is the same department in charge of the Environment.
Quote from: weareros on December 20, 2025, 06:38:40 PMNothing will ever be done while the department mollycoddling the Ulster Farmers Union is the same department in charge of the Environment.
The North has problems without solutions- Lough Neagh, the A5, Casement.
Nothing gets fixed.
Stormont are to blame for the state of the Lough.
If you're waiting on them fixing it , you'll be waiting a long time.
Quote from: seafoid on December 20, 2025, 07:00:26 PMQuote from: weareros on December 20, 2025, 06:38:40 PMNothing will ever be done while the department mollycoddling the Ulster Farmers Union is the same department in charge of the Environment.
The North has problems without solutions- Lough Neagh, the A5, Casement.
Nothing gets fixed.
No imperative or incentive to fix anything in the north. The same people get voted in along green and orange (and yellow) lines regardless of their individual or party achievements, or more usually lack of achievement.
Quote from: Tony Baloney on December 20, 2025, 07:40:46 PMQuote from: seafoid on December 20, 2025, 07:00:26 PMQuote from: weareros on December 20, 2025, 06:38:40 PMNothing will ever be done while the department mollycoddling the Ulster Farmers Union is the same department in charge of the Environment.
The North has problems without solutions- Lough Neagh, the A5, Casement.
Nothing gets fixed.
No imperative or incentive to fix anything in the north. The same people get voted in along green and orange (and yellow) lines regardless of their individual party achievements, or more usually lack of achievement.
If you notice all of the above has a nationalist slant but SF are allowing the DUP, and the Civil Service officials, to run rings round them. I'm a lifelong SF voter but I'll be voting SDLP next time