AQW 17250/17-22 Written question to the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to detail how the condition of the sale by Northern Ireland Water of Portavoe Reservoir is being enforced concerning the terms of agreement that Portavoe continues as part of his Department's Public Angling Estate.

Asked by Andrew Muir MLA on 13 April 2021

  • Answered
  • Written
  • Priority
Tabled
13 April 2021
Answer due by
19 April 2021
Answered
19 April 20216 days after tabling
Department
Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs
Priority question
Yes

Answer

Portavoe Reservoir was sold by NI Water into private ownership in June 2020.

The new owner of Portavoe Reservoir has confirmed that he wishes the site to remain private and not open or accessible to the public.

My Department retains the fishing rights to this water until 2024. My officials are currently seeking legal advice regarding access rights for permit holders to fish at the site. Until this has been clarified permit holders have been advised, via the NI Direct website, that the site will remain closed to the public for the foreseeable future.

Official sources