The South Antrim MLA said: “Although the blue-green algal blooms have dissipated a little with the change of weather, all policies and practices which have led to this situation should be on the table for review; no exemptions and no excuses. We must do everything we can to save this natural asset and the native species which call it home.

"As important as it is to look at what went wrong and to examine in detail the sources which have resulted in the outburst of blue-green algal blooms, it is equally or perhaps even more important to look forward, so the lough’s ecosystem and the contents therein are preserved and protected for future generations.

“I wish to thank the Lough Neagh Partnership on behalf of my colleagues and I for speaking to us on the extent of the crisis. We must come to the reality that it will take a very concentrated and coordinated effort by elected representatives and various government departments and agencies to ensure that we are not faced with similar or worse situations in years to come. I am under no illusion that we could tackle this issue quicker if we had a Minister in place who could take forward the regulatory change and enforcement required and a sitting Assembly with committees that can scrutinise such decisions.”