Glenavy River: Fish Kill

Part of Oral Answers to Questions — Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs – in the Northern Ireland Assembly am 3:15 pm ar 17 Mehefin 2024.

Danfonwch hysbysiad imi am ddadleuon fel hyn

Photo of Andrew Muir Andrew Muir Alliance 3:15, 17 Mehefin 2024

I thank the Member for his supplementary question. I am quite passionate about the issue. People probably guess that. Last week, I met the anglers and was told that children as young as five years old had witnessed fish gasping for air and dying as a result of that pollution. Children had to be brought inside the youth club because of that. We now have an opportunity in Northern Ireland to chart a different direction on water quality. I hope that we are able to do that in the time ahead. My Department is leading on many actions, as I have outlined in the Chamber today. When I was down there, I gave a commitment, and I will do so again today, to meet the local angling group over the weeks ahead so that we can work together to restore fish stocks in the river. It is important that we do that.