Glow from Wexford’s ‘Goo Lagoon’ due to farming run-off can be seen from space, Dáil told

Roderic O’Gorman (Brian Lawless/PA)

Senan Molony

Decades of polluting Lady's Island lake in Wexford means "the lagoon's glow can be seen from space", Green Party leader Roderic O'Gorman said today.

Calling it the “Goo Lagoon”, Mr O'Gorman told the Dáil the lagoon, which is designated a special protection area, was "going the way of Lough Neagh, already toxic from algae bloom”.

There was an urgent need for a large reduction in nutrient run-off from agricultural land in order to save the lake, he said.

"It's important we don't frame this as blaming farmers, but the impact of nutrient runoff at this significant site is absolutely clear,” Mr O’Gorman said.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) had made recommendations on how to save Lady's Island Lake, which called for enforcing existing regulations about agricultural nutrients entering the lake.

Farmers should change their practices, with buffer zones around the water sources flowing into the lake, he said.

Mr O'Gorman cited a newspaper article from 1983 describing pollution in the lake. "This is not some new environmental catastrophe. This has been a problem in the making for over 40 years,” the Dublin West TD said.

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"It's a problem that's been allowed to continue and all the various enforcement and accountability arms of the State have failed to protect the lake."

He called for Agriculture Minister Martin Heydon to take the lead, saying he needed to bring together relevant stakeholders.

The Taoiseach agreed. "I think a specific action plan should be developed for Lady's Island lake - not just agricultural stakeholders, but obviously they will be key,” Micheél Martin said.

"I think the Minister for State responsible for biodiversity [Christy O'Sullivan TD] should lead in this regard, but obviously with the Minister for Agriculture and the Minister for Climate as well."

He told Mr O'Gorman: "I know it's not your intention to apportion blame, but very clearly you're saying farming is creating the nutrient run-off into the lake.

"So clearly a solution is going to have to involve the neighbouring farmers. I will engage with the ministers amd ask them to come together with a view to coming up with a plan to deal with this issue."