New programme for government agreed by Stormont ministers

Stormont ministers have agreed a proposed programme for government.

First Minister Michelle O'Neill, deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly, Justice Minister Naomi Long and Health Minister Mike Nesbitt are holding a press conference on the Stormont Executive's new Programme for Government.

The programme will set out the priorities for the devolved power-sharing Executive for the remaining two-and-a-half years of the Assembly term.

First Minister Michelle O'Neill said she was "very glad" to have reached another milestone with the agreement of the draft programme of government between the four-party Executive at Stormont.

She called it a "significant" and wide-ranging programme and the "first port of call" for detail will be on Monday with a statement to the Assembly.

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

Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said that despite the "difficult budget situation", the programme aims to improve lives for people in Northern Ireland in meaningful ways.

Justice Minister Naomi Long said the Stormont programme was a draft and would 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," the Alliance politician said.

She said the power-sharing Executive had signed off a plan for tackling domestic violence and sexual abuse.

Stormont Health Minister Mike Nesbitt said he was "pleased" that his Executive colleagues agreed their new programme for government is linked closely to the budget.

The Ulster Unionist MLA told the press conference there were "huge challenges" for health, but that every department faces similar challenges in Northern Ireland.