Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd visits Portmore Lough Nature Reserve

The Minister was given a tour of the site by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB NI) where he viewed a variety of bird species in their natural habitat and heard about the many conservation projects being undertaken at the reserve.

"Visiting Portmore Lough has given me an insight into the vital work being undertaken here by RSPB NI, an opportunity to learn more on their Manifesto for Nature and to discuss ways in which my Department can build on the work we do to help deliver for nature and climate over the next Assembly term,” said Mr O’Dowd.

“I also welcomed the opportunity to discuss how the planning system can deliver requirements alongside the Climate Action Plan. The planning system overall has at its heart the objective of furthering sustainable development and my Department is committed, within its areas of responsibility, to working to ensure that it continues to play its part in protecting the environment, whilst mitigating and adapting to the climate emergency and nature crisis.”

RSPB NI Director Joanne Sherwood added: “We welcomed the opportunity to meet with the Minister to discuss the critical role of protecting and restoring our natural environment. Our environment is under threat like never before, yet it underpins our economy, is key to addressing the climate crisis and contributes to our long term prosperity and health. By investing in nature and green infrastructure we can enhance health and well-being, create jobs and provide cost effective solutions to many of the problems our society and economy faces.”