The Northern Ireland Executive has delivered "huge advances" for people in the region since it was restored, but there is still "much more to do", its leaders have said.
Northern Ireland's First Minister Michelle O'Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly deflected criticism over a lack of delivery from the devolved powersharing institutions, insisting that ministers are working collectively to improve public services.
Devolved government was restored at Stormont a year ago after a two-year suspension when the DUP collapsed the institutions in protest at post-Brexit trading arrangements.
The return of Stormont saw Sinn Féin's Ms O'Neill become Northern Ireland's first nationalist First Minister, while the DUP's Ms Little-Pengelly took up the role of deputy First Minster.
Ms O'Neill told the PA news agency that in the last 12 months, the Executive delivered "significant outcomes for workers, families and communities".
She said: "I think that we have built very strong foundations on which to continue to build upon.
"I think that when we reflect on the first year, what has been achieved in a four-party coalition, it has very much been a collective effort, I think it has been all shoulders to the wheel, it has been all ministers trying to deliver."
Ms O’Neill said there had been "huge delivery points", noting in particular "public sector pay being settled basically on day one".
"We have made huge advances in terms of growing our economy, ensuring prosperity is felt," she said.
"We have made huge advances in the area of childcare, the A5, infrastructure development," she added.
She added the Stormont Executive "have something to say in terms of what we have tried to do to make a difference to people's lives".
The First Minister added: "But that is not to be complacent.
"We know that there is much more to do and I look forward to the remainder of this mandate, this next two years, to continue to build upon what we have been able to achieve for people in this first year."
Ms Little-Pengelly said there was a recognition that many challenges lie ahead.
She said: "I think that the Executive recognises that while work has been done, there is much more to be done and the big issues, such as tackling health waiting lists, in terms of driving forward even more advancement on the delivery of an affordable childcare strategy, dealing with issues such as NI Water, infrastructure."
Ms Little-Pengelly said the Executive "always knew" it would not resolve all of the "big, big issues" in the first year.
"But there have been many, many issues where we have progressed," she added.
She said: "We recognise that much more needs to be done and that is why we will have that very clear focus on delivery moving forward as well."
The devolved political institutions in Northern Ireland have collapsed on a number of occasions since they were first established following the Good Friday Agreement, but Ms O'Neill said she was "going nowhere" when asked about the stability of the Executive.
She said: "I am here because I believe in these institutions, I believe in making politics work.
"I believe in making sure the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement are all up and running.
"I am going nowhere. I intend to lead from the front, to work with Emma, to work with Executive colleagues."
Ms O’Neill said the it "not easy", adding that it is "challenging at the best of days but everybody is here because they want to do their best for the public".
Ms Little-Pengelly added: "The best way to create stability for this place is by ensuring we work with consensus.
"That doesn't mean dismissing or demeaning serious concerns, it means tackling those issues before they become a threat.
"I have got a determination to deliver, and that includes on the stability of this place."
Executive has 'failed consistently to deliver'
The people of Northern Ireland "deserve better" than a powersharing Executive which has "failed repeatedly", Stormont's opposition leader and SDLP MLA Matthew O'Toole said.
The SDLP forms the official opposition within the Northern Ireland Assembly, where a coalition of four parties makes up the Executive
Mr O'Toole said: "I think what you will see today is the Executive look for bunting and birthday cards for an anniversary, but an anniversary for a year in which they have been marking time, rather than making progress."
He said people are elected "to make meaningful change", but added "we haven't seen meaningful change".
The opposition leader said: "We have been constructive for the past year, where there has been progress we've acknowledged it, for example, on childcare.
"But in a whole range of areas the Executive has failed, repeatedly and consistently to deliver.
"Not just on big ambitious things but on the plans they have set out."
Mr O'Toole pointed out that the programme for government was still not in final form, adding there was no plan for dealing with crises in the health service or wastewater infrastructure.
He added: "We aren't being unrealistically negative, we are simply speaking for the public in Northern Ireland who deserve better than this."
'Look to the coming years with some optimism'
"We can look to the coming years with some optimism," Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Harris has said.
Mr Harris said those in Northern Ireland "are seeing their chosen leaders working on their behalf", adding "that matters".
"In my conversations last week with the First Minister and deputy First Minister, and political leaders in Northern Ireland, there was clear will to work to improve the day-to-day lives of people in Northern Ireland and across the island," he said.
The Tánaiste said there is a "renewed energy" between Dublin and London, adding the two governments "will continue to exercise our role as co-guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement with purpose and with care".
"In the years ahead, there will be external challenges and, no doubt, some internal political challenges also, but I think we have the political will to weather those, working together," he added.
