To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (i) for an update on a clean air bill for Northern Ireland; and (ii) what measures he is considering for implementation in the short, medium and long term.

Work is now well underway within my Department in developing Northern Ireland’s first Clean Air Strategy; however, I have not committed to developing a clean air bill/act.

I recently ran 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 sought views on a wide variety of matters relating to air quality. It did not set out policy options or indicate a particular policy position at this stage.

To ensure the best air quality outcomes are achieved, a two-staged approach has been adopted:

A 12 week public consultation on the Discussion Document. This has now concluded. The Discussion Document is a lengthy document that discusses evidence, existing polices and poses questions to promote discussion; and

Draft the Clean Air Strategy. This will be based on analysis of stakeholder views and Ministerial policy direction. This will be a shorter document, and will be subject to a further public consultation and Executive approval.

Following the period of public discussion, responses received are being reviewed, options considered and a range of proposals formulated. Once I have considered the options and decided on a policy direction, officials will begin to draft the first Clean Air Strategy for Northern Ireland. This will be a more focused and shorter document than the Discussion Document and will contain specific proposals relating to policy and other measures which can improve air quality. This draft Clean Air Strategy will be subject to an additional public consultation and due to the cross-cutting nature of the policy area, Executive approval will also be sought at that time.