The Ulster Unionist Party Environment Spokesperson Tom Elliott MLA has called on the Head of the NI Civil Service, Jayne Brady, to hold an interdepartmental, cross-agency summit to address the Lough Neagh algae crisis.

Mr Elliott said, “We appreciate that DAERA has taken some action with the creation of a Water Quality Steering Group, but action cannot be taken by one Department alone.

“The blue-green algae blooms at Lough Neagh are incredibly alarming, and I have written to the Head of the Civil Service to ask her to call for an emergency summit of the relevant Executive departments, arms-length bodies and other stakeholders to plot a way forward for the good of all.

“These organisations need to be kept informed and involved in the process of tackling this emerging crisis.”