§ Mr. Biggs-Davisonasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the system for the management of the waters of Lough Erne; what are the composition and functions of the Lough Erne Advisory Board; and what changes have lately been made in the arrangements as a whole, and why.
§ Mr. DunnUnder the Drainage (Northern Ireland) Order 1973, the Department of Agriculture for Northern Ireland is both the drainage and navigation authority for Lough Erne. It is also the owner of the bed and soil of the lough as well as much of the accreted626W foreshore which occurred as a result of successive drainage schemes, and as such controls most of the fishing and shooting rights. In recent years, the Department, in implementing powers granted to it under the Water (Northern Ireland) Act 1972, has provided numerous water recreational amenities.
In addition the Department, together with the Electricity Supply Board in the Irish Republic, is responsible for the maintenance of water levels in both the upper and lower loughs, within certain minimum and maximum limits. These levels are important in Northern Ireland to farmers and those using Lough Erne for boating and other recreational purposes, and in the Republic as a source of power for electricity.
The Lough Erne Advisory Committee was formed by the Department in 1971 to advise on the management of its interests on Lough Erne. The Committee is comprised of representatives of the following bodies:
- Fermanagh District Council
- Department of the Environment
- Fisheries Conservancy Board
- Fermanagh Wild Fowlers' Association
- Erne Game and Wild Fowl Preservation Society
- Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
- Lough Erne and Enniskillen Yacht Club
- Ulster Angling Federation
- Ulster Country-Side Committee
- Erne Charter Boat Association
- Inland Waterway Association
- Northern Ireland Tourist Board
- Fermanagh Field Club
- Ulster Farmers' Union
- Nature Reserves Committee
- British Water Ski Federation (Northern Ireland Region)
- Lough Erne Fishermen's Association
- The majority of the members live in Co. Fermanagh.
The recent growth in the popularity of Lough Erne as a recreational area, for both tourists and local residents, has created safety problems. Consequently in 1974 following representations from several local interests the Department decided to formulate byelaws for navigation on the waterway. After a series of discussions with interested parties, most of whom are represented on the Lough Erne Advisory Committee the byelaws have now been made and will take effect from 1st April 1978. The purpose of the byelaws is to improve safety on Lough Erne and, in so doing, to facilitate the development of the area for the benefit of all concerned.