Delay in support for Lough Neagh fishing industry 'a disgrace'

Mid Ulster Sinn Féin Councillor, Niall McAleer has called on Edwin Poots to immediately outline his plans to support the fishing industry on Lough Neagh and described the response from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) Minister to date as “a disgrace”.
By The Newsroom
Published 15th Jan 2021, 17:11 BST
Updated 15th Jan 2021, 17:45 BST
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On January 13 the Minister, in a written response to Mid Ulster MLA Emma Sheerin, stated that he was hopeful an announcement regarding the launch of a scheme would be made “in the near future.” A similar response was received by local MP Francie Molloy on January 5.

Speaking today Cllr. McAleer criticized the most recent response from the DAERA Minister, stating: “We have already had a number of similarly vague statements from Edwin Poots surrounding the opening of a financial support scheme.

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"The Minister has had ten months to put in place a scheme to provide financial support for inland fishers.

Fishing crew on Lough Neagh.Fishing crew on Lough Neagh.
Fishing crew on Lough Neagh.

"The fact that this has yet to materialize is a disgrace and I would appeal to the Minister to urgently clarify when the proposed scheme will open so people fishing on Lough Neagh can plan ahead with some certainty.”

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