Written question asked by David Burnside (Ulster Unionist Party) on Wednesday, 23 March 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 4 April 2005. It was answered by Baroness Smith of Basildon (Labour) on Monday, 4 April 2005 on behalf of the Northern Ireland Office.

Northern Ireland Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many incidents of pollution were reported in Lough Neagh in 2004; and what the origins were of the incidents.

Answer: David Burnside: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many incidents of pollution were reported in Lough Neagh in 2004; and what the origins were of the incidents. [224091] Angela Smith: From 1 January 2004 to 31 December 2004, the Department of the Environment's Environment and Heritage Service Unit received 12 reports of pollution within a 50 metre radius of Lough Neagh. Of these, eight incidents were confirmed and all assessed as `low severity' in that the incidents resulted in a localised environmental impact only. By origin, seven incidents were attributed to industry and one to the Department for Regional Development's Water Service.

Secondary information