At the weekend past, once again, activists from the Save Lough Neagh campaign gathered to make the case for urgent action to save the lough. I thank them for their tireless work. Despite all the warnings and actions from activist groups and campaigners last year about the algal bloom and the need for action, we are here again. With complete inaction from the AERA Minister and the Executive, the algal bloom is sprouting up again. Stormont, with its previous policies and current lack of urgency, is to blame for the recurring problem. The Going for Growth strategy was a disastrous approach that rewarded polluters and maximised pollution and industrial farming. The algal bloom is one of the outcomes of a disastrous strategy that is not good for small farmers, our food, the environment or, evidently, our fresh water.

Campaigners for Lough Neagh have demanded an independent environmental protection agency, urgent investment in research and a recovery plan, an end to commercial dredging and rights of nature for Lough Neagh. <BR/>Their final demand is the public acquisition of the lough. It is totally unacceptable that the Earl of Shaftesbury has rights to and gets financial benefit from the lough because his ancestors stole it. There is consensus across most of society that it is totally archaic and unfair that that has been the case.

It is worth reminding the House of what the Minister said about that a few months ago:

"If people think that ownership will be the solution to the problems of Lough Neagh, they are badly mistaken." — [Official Report (Hansard), 19 February 2024, p41, col 1].

Public ownership and community ownership are very much part of the solution, Minister. Given the earl's recent announcement and the fact that the Minister is due to meet him in the coming days or weeks, I urge speedy action to take away the earl's access and rights to Lough Neagh. It is totally unacceptable that people have profited from the plunder of the lough. It is time to hand it back to those who need, use and love it. It is time for public ownership of Lough Neagh.

That concludes Members' statements. I ask Members to take their ease. The next item of business will be conducted by the Principal Deputy Speaker.

(Madam Principal Deputy Speaker [Ms Ní Chuilín] in the Chair)