Northern Ireland
Dail Éireann — 2026-05-26
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Paul Murphy (PBP), Dublin South-West

Nine days ago, hundreds of people marched to Lough Neagh to protest the ecocide of our largest lake. Last year, the EPA published research on 35 lakes in the South. Two thirds are classed as at risk under the water framework directive. Seven important Irish lakes are found to be at high risk of Lough Neagh-type toxic algae blooms, including loughs Derg, Ramor, Sheelin, Sillan, Muckno and Naglack. Lady's Island in Wexford where toxic blue-green algae have all but killed the lake was not included in the research. The EPA said that agricultural diffused population is the most important pressure on most Irish water bodies. It said that phosphorus run-off from pasture-based farming is the most important land-based factor behind algae blooms significantly impacting three quarters of our lakes. The EPA report mentions limiting phosphorus application by farmers, controlling livestock access and safely storing slurry and manure. It recommended creating a harmful algae bloom action plan for Irish lakes. Where is the plan? What is the Government going to do to stop pollution from agriculture devastating more of our lakes like what has happened in Lough Neagh and Lady's Island?

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-05-26/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-09-14T01:01:04+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-05-26