Paul Murphy warns of ecological collapse in lakes and rivers
Paul Murphy challenged the Taoiseach about action to prevent catastrophic ecological collapse of lakes and rivers, citing Loch Ney and widespread water pollution. The Deputy blamed successive governments and nitrates pollution linked to big dairy and agri-food, and called for a mass all‑island movement to defend waterways and the rights of nature.
Allegations of ecosystem collapse
The Deputy outlined multiple causes of freshwater decline - sewage, agricultural runoff, commercial sand dredging, climate change and invasive species - and said ecosystems that thrived for thousands of years have been destroyed. He pointed to Loch Ney north of the border as an example of severe ecological damage.
Nitrates and agricultural blame
The Deputy argued that the government's enabling of nitrates pollution by big dairy and agri-food is the main culprit and criticised the Taoiseach's defence of the nitrates derogation. He warned that pollution knows no borders and said the same destruction is happening in the south, noting that 45% of water bodies are in unsatisfactory condition.
Call for mass public movement
The Deputy urged the organisation of a mass all-island movement of people power to defend lakes and rivers and to protect the rights of nature, insisting that "all of our futures depend on it." His remarks framed ecological protection as a collective, cross-border responsibility.
Government response and water-quality measures
The Taoiseach responded that he could not speak for Loch Ney and highlighted a large investment programme led by Irish Water to improve water quality. He stressed that pollution has multiple sources - farmers, human waste and industrial waste - and said reductions across these sources are part of ongoing efforts.
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I would ask the Taoiseach what action is being taken to prevent catastrophic ecological collapse of our lakes and our rivers, as has happened north of the border with Loch Ney. Successive governments, many with Sinn Fein ministers, have enabled the eco-side of the largest lake on this island. A combination of sewage and agricultural runoff, commercial sand dredging, climate change and invasive species are responsible. Ecosystems that have thrived for thousands, hundreds of thousands of years, have been destroyed by the profiteering of modern capitalism. Pollution knows no borders and the same destruction is happening in the south. 45% of our water bodies are run in unsatisfactory condition. But the government's enabling of nitrates pollution by big dairy and agri-food is the main culprit, yet the Taoiseach continues to defend the toxic nitrates derogation. We need to organise a mass all-island movement of people power to defend our lakes, to defend our rivers and to protect the rights of nature. All of our futures depend on it. Thanks very much, Deputy. I can't speak, obviously, for Loch Ney. That's in Northern Ireland, but as you point out, perhaps others can answer those questions. In relation to water quality, we have a very big investment programme in improving our water quality that's led by Irish water at the moment. There are many things that contribute to pollution in our waterways. It's not all about farmers, and it's not right to speak to them as if they're entirely to blame for everything that's wrong with our water quality. There's human waste as well, and then there's also industrial waste, and all of that needs to be reduced, and that is very much part of what we're doing. Deputy Patricia. Thank you.
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