To ask the Minister of Finance for an update on the work of her Department's Innovation Lab, alongside the James Hutton Institute, to develop the long-term sustainable future of the Mourne Mountains.

The main role of my Department in relation to the Mourne Mountains was to carry out research to identify key issues surrounding its long-term future that need to be addressed.

The research pointed towards the importance of the Mournes and the positive impact it has on health, wellbeing and culture, as well as connecting communities. It also highlighted a number of issues such as a disconnected environmental approach; the negative impacts of tourism; overburdened car parks; lack of alternative transport; and poor roads, paths and facilities.

The work identified that many of these issues cut across several Government Departments. An initial priority therefore is the need to identify an Executive Minister that would work with Executive colleagues to develop and deliver a Mournes Management Plan.

Given its role in the Mournes area, my officials are engaging with colleagues in the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) in the first instance regarding the issues raised through this work and, in particular, the ownership of these within the Executive.