Government Minister Urges Change to Improve Northern Ireland’s Waterways
Northern Ireland’s Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Andrew Muir, has spoken out about the need for change to improve the country’s waterways, citing a "permission to pollute" that has existed since the establishment of NI Water in 2007. Speaking on BBC’s The View, Muir acknowledged that the measures proposed in the Northern Ireland Agriculture (NAP) are "challenging" and the consultation process is "very complex".
According to the BBC, Muir expressed his frustration with the lack of investment in wastewater infrastructure, stating that he is "fed up" with the current situation. He called on Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins to take action, saying she "needs to get her head out of the sand and needs to turn the situation around". Muir emphasized that as the minister for agriculture, environment and rural affairs, he is left with the task of cleaning up the sewage that NI Water is pumping into the waterways.
The minister’s comments come as the consultation on the revised NAP has been extended to 12 weeks, with the deadline now set for 24 July. The BBC reported that Muir recognized the complexity of the proposals, citing the detailed science and evidence that underpins them. He stated that, having listened to concerns from farmers and industry, he is extending the consultation period by four weeks to allow for more time to consider the proposals.
Muir stressed that the extension is an "important opportunity" for people to respond or offer alternative proposals, and emphasized that no final decisions have been made. He expressed his desire to improve Northern Ireland’s waterways, stating that he does not want to consign Lough Neagh to the scenes seen in recent years. As the BBC reported, Muir said that ultimately, change is necessary to improve the waterways.
The issue of wastewater infrastructure has been a long-standing concern in Northern Ireland, with many calling for increased investment to address the problem. According to the BBC, Muir’s comments highlight the need for a more comprehensive approach to addressing the issue. The minister’s call for change and his extension of the consultation period have been welcomed by some, who see it as an opportunity for stakeholders to have their say.
As the consultation period continues, it remains to be seen what changes will be made to the NAP and how they will impact Northern Ireland’s waterways. However, with Minister Muir’s commitment to improving the situation, there is hope that progress will be made. As the BBC reported, Muir’s comments have highlighted the need for action, and it will be interesting to see how the situation develops in the coming weeks and months.
The water quality issue in Lough Neagh and other water bodies is of great concern to many. And Minister Muir in his address to the public via a media outlet stated, "Ultimately we do need to change so we can improve our waterways and I don’t want to consign Lough Neagh to the scenes we’ve seen in recent years".
