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NI ministers approve programme for government

The ministers agreed the programme at Stormont Castle
The ministers agreed the programme at Stormont Castle

Northern Ireland ministers have approved a programme for government.

First Minister Michelle O'Neill, deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly, Justice Minister Naomi Long and Health Minister Mike Nesbitt have been outlining the details following a meeting of the executive at Stormont Castle.

The programme sets out nine priorities for the power-sharing administration for the remaining two-and-a-half years of the assembly term.

Ms O'Neill said she was "very glad" to reach another milestone, describing the plan as "significant" and wide-ranging.

The "first port of call" for detail will be on Monday with a statement to the assembly, she added.

Ms O’Neill said she was pleased to say that ministers agreed a number of key areas of work, "not least the strategy for violence against women and girls".

Ms Little-Pengelly said that, despite the "difficult budget situation", the programme aims to improve lives for people in Northern Ireland, including affordable childcare, cuts in health waiting times, more social, affordable and sustainable housing and the protection of Lough Neagh.

The programme is a draft, according to Ms Long, and it will not be delivered in one go.

"It will be very much dependent on our financial situation but it is realistic and I believe it is positive," she added.

Mr Nesbitt said there were "huge challenges" for health, but that every government department faces similar challenges.