OEP findings "depressing and concerning" - Cllr Smyth

Green Party Councillor for Lisnasharragh, Brian Smyth has commented on today's findings by the Office for Environmental Protection that laws around water quality are not being implemented as they should be.

Cllr Smyth said "I am not surprised by the findings, as depressing and concerning as they are. The Stormont Executive is effectively giving a free pass to persistent polluters to poision our waterways."

The findings by the OEP stated that serious consequences are "vividly illustrated" by Lough Neagh, which has been badly affected by blue-green algae.

Cllr Smyth continued "The OEP's report not only highlights that Stormont is on course to miss it's own targets on water quality, but it may have potentially breached the law."

"It is not a question of if, but when does water quality deteriorate so badly that it becomes a risk to human health?"

Cllr Smyth concluded "The Stormont Executive is a public health risk to us all."

ENDS

Press enquiries - Brian Smyth 07823 668431