British must drop baseless claim to Lough Foyle, says Derry MLA Martina Anderson

The Foyle MLA was commenting after Stormont’s Agriculture committee received an update on the territorial dispute which has seen both the Dublin and London governments claiming ownership of the Lough.

She said: “This dispute has created a legislative limbo for the Loughs Agency who informed the committee that they have been unable to implement a robust aquaculture plan on the Lough.

"Twenty million pounds has also been lost in licensing revenue and there has been an upsurge in unregulated oyster catching which is likely to have a damaging impact on the environment and fish stocks.

“This economic and ecological damage is a direct result of Britain’s baseless claim over Lough Foyle."

London continues to claim ownership of the Foyle right up to the high water mark on the eastern shore of Inishowen.

Ms. Anderson said that claim should be dropped immediately and said the Dublin Government shoudl reassert the fact that "Lough Foyle is and always has been part of Ireland".

“Lough Foyle is a key strategic asset for the North West and clearly its future is better served within the EU and under the protection of the various European environmental directives, the Common Fisheries Policy and European Maritime and Fisheries Fund.

“Brexit has therefore heightened the need to resolve this territorial dispute and I will be making urgent representations to Dublin’s Department for Foreign Affairs and the North South Ministerial Council on the time ahead.”