A call has been issued to the government to help realise the potential of Ireland's largest freshwater lough.

Lough Neagh, which supplies Northern Ireland with 40% of its drinking water, is in need of development, with the Lough Neagh partnership calling on the relevant government agencies to step up and take responsibility.

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Sinn Féin MLA John O'Dowd said: "I recently asked the Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon to take the lead and work with the relevant partners to take responsibility for this work and to consider including Lough Neagh under the remit of Waterways Ireland.

"Lough Neagh has huge tourism and economic potential, but without a proper plan and joined up working across government that potential won't be realised.

"I will continue to make the case for this project to be taken forward as a priority."