To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (i) for an update on the Clean Air Strategy; (ii) how he plans to monitor, assess and take appropriate actions against air pollution; and (iii) whether he has considered a right to breathe policy, to compel local councils or other statutory agencies to inform residents of unsafe levels of air pollution in their area.

Former Minister Poots recently launched a twelve week public consultation on The Clean Air Strategy Discussion Document (available at: http://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/clean_air_strategy_discussion_document), developed by my Department, which seeks views on a wide variety of matters relating to air quality. It does not set out policy options or indicate a particular policy position at this stage.

As recommendations and public views are sought through this Discussion Document, my assessment at this stage may influence the view of respondents and I do not wish to pre-empt the outcome of this process. I would, however, like to encourage you to formally respond with your views on a introducing a right to breathe and any other relevant comments you may wish to make, through the formal route using the designated inbox (casni@daera-ni.gov.uk). This will ensure your important comments, are captured as part of the final assessment. All comments will be welcome and will strengthen the consultation process.

District councils have a statutory duty to appropriately monitor, assess and to take action on air pollution under Part III of The Environment Order (NI) 2002.

The Local Air Quality Management (LAQM) system has been established for councils to fulfil their statutory duties under the Order and assess compliance with objectives in the UK Air Quality Strategy. At locations where objectives are not expected to be met by the relevant target date, district councils are required to declare an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) and to develop an Action Plan to address the problem. The Department provides funding to councils under the LAQM grant scheme to carry out monitoring and associated air quality duties.

Further information is available from our website,

https://www.airqualityni.co.uk/laqm

Current, real-time pollution levels are available from each district council via our website at: https://www.airqualityni.co.uk/

With regard to informing residents of unsafe levels of air pollution in their area, you may be interested to know that on 7 May 2020 I launched Northern Ireland’s first Air Quality App. The App gives the public up to date information on air pollution levels across Northern Ireland and a five day air quality forecast. Users can set up a push notification to alert them to when levels of elevated pollutants are detected or forecast. Alerts can be further tailored to specific council districts.

An air pollution alert text service is also available. Subscribers can receive high or very high air pollution alerts to their mobile phone, providing notification of when air pollution levels are elevated. To subscribe to the 'Air Aware' service, text AIR to 67300. Alerts are free but text messages to the service cost your normal standard rate. A free helpline providing the latest air pollution information in Northern Ireland is available by contacting the helpline telephone number: 0800 556677.

The public can also access valuable health information through the App on the impacts reduced air quality can have on health, as well as guidance on when to seek medical advice. Health guidance has been developed in partnership with Department of Health officials.

The Air Quality App, Air Aware text service and free helpline allow people to protect their health using reliable, local air quality data. Further information on this, and a host of other excellent air quality information is available from our website at https://www.airqualityni.co.uk/

and NI Direct at https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/air-pollution-and-health