Lough Neagh: Solving lough problems 'high' on agenda - Muir

Blue-green algae is toxic to animals and can cause illness in humans

Solving the problems of Lough Neagh will require "investment, commitment and people to work together", the new environment minister has said.

Andrew Muir visited the largest freshwater lake in these islands on his first full day of ministerial engagements.

He met members of the Lough Neagh Partnership and toured the lough.

Last year saw it blighted by unprecedented blooms of potentially toxic blue-green algae.

Beaches on the North Coast were also affected when clumps travelled along the Lower Bann.

The minister warned that it is "highly likely" there will be problems again this year.

The minister said while his ministerial inbox was "overflowing", the problems of Lough Neagh were "high up there" on his agenda.

But he added that there was no quick fix without financial commitment.

Andrew Muir is the new minister for the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA)

He said: "Money is what is needed in relation to this, alongside commitment and partnerships working.

"We are facing a number of challenges in Northern Ireland in relation to climate change, and funding to address that is absolutely critical," he added.

'Political significance'

Gerry Darby, from the Lough Neagh Partnership, welcomed the minister's visit and commitment to hold regular meetings with them.

He said: "It is of real political significance that Mr Muir has decided to come down and meet the stakeholders of Lough Neagh and discuss the problems that we have."

Gerry Darby says the Lough Neagh Partnership have monitored a decline in species at the lough

Mr Darby also acknowledged that "this is not a quick fix, it will take long term hard decisions to be made".

• The year the UK's largest lake turned green

• Lough algae 'still loitering' and impact unknown

The department has formed a working group to look at the issues and the solutions.

It is understood it is due to report back soon.