To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, as part of the Clean Air Strategy, whether his Department plans to introduce a requirement for each local council to develop a walking and cycling strategy, with targets aimed at reducing the number of journeys by private car.

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

The Discussion Document has now been finalised and will be launched shortly for a 12 week public consultation in the coming weeks. The consultation will invite views on a wide range of matters relating to air quality and it is likely that issues relating to active travel, including walking and cycling, will be raised at this stage. Responses to the consultation will be published and it is likely the Department of Infrastructure, will have interest in comments relating to walking, cycling and active travel.