Sinn Féin Councillor Niall McAleer has hit out at what he describes as a 'lack of response' from minister
Sinn Féin Councillor Niall McAleer has criticised the lack of response from Andrew Muir, Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), regarding the ongoing crisis facing fishers on Lough Neagh.
This follows a motion he brought to Mid Ulster District Council in April, calling for urgent intervention to support the struggling fishing industry on the lough.
The motion outlined the pressures the fishing industry has faced for several years, including the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, shortened fishing seasons due to the blue-green algae crisis, and soaring fuel and operational costs.
The representative for Torrent said that no response has been received from the DAERA Minister: “I am deeply disappointed that neither the Council nor I have received any response from the Minister on what is a matter of real urgency for families and communities right across Lough Neagh’s shorelines.
“Fishers’ livelihoods are at risk and, in some cases, are being lost altogether.”
The motion also sought clarity on potential financial supports, including opportunities for Shared Island funding, as well as engagement with the British Government regarding fuel duty and VAT relief.
Councillor McAleer continued: “Council made clear, practical requests of the Minister, but we have gone more than a month without a response. This lack of action sends the wrong message to those whose livelihoods depend on fishing on Lough Neagh.”
“The longer this continues, the greater the risk that this industry will decline beyond recovery. That cannot be allowed to happen.”
Councillor McAleer has called for an immediate response from DAERA and for urgent measures to be brought forward to protect the long-term future of fishing on Lough Neagh.