To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs what consultation his Department has conducted with stakeholders on the development of the Clean Air Strategy for Northern Ireland.

Stakeholder consultation has been central to the development of the Clean Air Strategy for Northern Ireland.

My Department launched a Discussion Document for public consultation from 23rd November 2020 to 15th February 2021, in advance of developing the first Clean Air Strategy for Northern Ireland. The Discussion Document presented evidence and research on a range of ambient air pollutants. It also outlined current policy and legislation and the measures currently in place to control air pollution. The Discussion Document posed questions around pollutant source activities, with the aim of promoting discussion and the exchange of ideas. Views were sought from all interested stakeholders.

The Department published the synopsis of consultation responses to the Clean Air Strategy Discussion Document in June 2022. Comments received have formed the basis of the actions proposed in the strategy.

A cross Departmental stakeholder group, the Clean Air Strategy Inter Departmental Steering Group, has now been established and comprises of officials from DAERA, Department for Infrastructure, Department for the Economy and the Department of Health. Other Departments may need to be involved depending on the final agreed scope of the strategy. The group will meet regularly over the coming months to agree the Clean Air Strategy actions.

A public consultation on the draft Northern Ireland Clean Air Strategy is planned for the end of December 2022. In order to proceed, this will require approval from the NI Executive.