NORTHERN Ireland’s Environment Minister has said he has been "open about the realities of blue-green algae", despite being privately briefed about "potential negative press" following the death of two dogs on Lough Erne.
During a recent visit to Castle Archdale, the Minister was challenged about the contents of a document, obtained via a Freedom of Information (FOI) request, which warned of "the potential for negative attention" if suspected algae poisoning of two dogs at Rossigh Bay was reported by journalists.
The incident saw one dog die on April 15, and another on May 7. Both had been in the water at Rossigh Bay, where toxic algae was detected.
In a briefing document regarding the deaths, the Minister was warned: "The deaths were not picked up by the press and have not been reported in the news. There is the potential for negative press coverage ... should reports emerge in the media."
On Thursday last, Minister Muir was asked if his department was "more concerned with avoiding negative press" than being "open about the reality of blue-green algae on Lough Erne".
However, the Minister rejected this, responding: "I have been open about the realities of blue-green algae from the day I took up office.
"I have shown a priority toward addressing this. The issue in terms of negative media coverage is for Northern Ireland, because the situation is unfolding on TV screens and is seen across the globe.
"That should be the wake-up call around this."
He continued: "I don't hide away from the media. I am happy to engage with the media. I am here today. I don’t shy away from that."
Minister Muir was also asked if it was "acceptable" that two dogs had died from suspected algae poisoning locally.
"For anyone's pet to pass away is traumatic," the Minister said. "I fully appreciate the emotional attachment people have to their pets, and it's really saddening to see the loss of any pet around this.
"This is the situation we are seeing on Lough Erne, Lough Neagh, and other lakes and loughs in Northern Ireland.
"If that isn't a wake-up call for anyone in Northern Ireland for the need to deal with water quality, and to take the actions required, then I don’t know what else is."
During the visit to Fermanagh, Minister Muir revealed that he had instructed officials to undertake a "short piece of research" regarding the prevalence of blue-green algae on Lough Erne.
He also said that some of the measures that are currently being taken on Lough Neagh, which include a recently-launched action plan, will have "particular relevance" to Lough Erne.
Minister Muir was asked why a dedicated action plan had not been set up for Lough Erne, and if Lough Neagh was instead his priority.
He responded: "We have seen the situation last year in relation to Lough Neagh, and it has again occurred this year.
"We are seeing issues emerging in not just Lough Erne, but many other areas across Northern Ireland.
"I take the issue of water quality very seriously - that’s why I am here to today. I am committed to working with Fermanagh and Omagh District Council over the time ahead.
“Ultimately we want to have a plan for all our rivers, lakes and loughs, and that feeds into our wider environmental improvement plan, which I continue to seek Executive approval for."
He was then asked if he was “content” with the fact that that 24 reports of blue-green algae had been made on Lough Erne this year via the Department's 'Bloomin Algae' app.
"I am not content, and neither, would I say, are the people of Fermanagh, or Northern Ireland,” he said.
"Overall, I am glad to see this issue in terms of water quality as one of the commitments in the Programme for Government.
"The critical thing is the funding required to address these issues; we also need buy-in around this.
"I have talked about making difficult decisions, and people need to back these, and we need to move at a strong pace.
"I have a real thirst and ambition to move at a fast pace to address those issues, but we need people to come with us on it."
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