To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs when we can expect to see the draft Clean Air Strategy for Northern Ireland as referenced in New Decade, New Approach.

Air pollution can have a serious effect on people's health. It also has negative impacts on our environment.

In December 2016, the previous DAERA Minister, Michele McIlveen, gave a commitment to develop an air quality strategy. Since then, the Department has been working on developing a draft Clean Air Strategy discussion document. This work involved close collaboration with other Departments and officials worked together to finalise the draft discussion document on the Clean Air Strategy.

Once the draft discussion document is complete, I will consider the options for issuing the draft Clean Air Strategy discussion document for public consultation later in the year.