Debate contribution: Programme for Government: Public Consultation

Debate contribution by Mrs Emma Little-Pengelly on 9 September 2024.

MLA

Mrs Emma Little-Pengelly

Party at the time

Democratic Unionist Party

Date

9 September 2024

Type

Debate contribution (made as a minister)

Business

Ministerial Statement

Heading

Programme for Government: Public Consultation

Assembly identifier

Official Report component 4511150

Read the official Assembly record

Text

The First Minister and I wish to inform Members that, following the Executive's unanimous agreement to the draft Programme for Government (PFG) on Thursday, the Executive Office will today launch a public consultation. The draft Programme for Government outlines the Executive's bold ambition for Northern Ireland. It is different from what has been attempted in the past. It is reflective of the realities that we face today, but it is also ambitious for the future. It is also realistic about the financial position that we find ourselves in and the shortened mandate in which we operate. We make no apology for being ambitious. We want to build on our reputation as a great place to live, work, study, invest and visit. We want to build on the fact that we are global leaders in key sectors such as cyber, fintech, advanced manufacturing and health and life sciences, and we want to continue to invest in our young people so that we can continue to have a young, dedicated and highly skilled workforce. Our aim is to change the lives of our people and communities for the better. To deliver on that aim, the Programme for Government contains nine priorities. They are the immediate priorities that we will work to this year and throughout the duration of this mandate. They are to grow a globally competitive and sustainable economy; to deliver more affordable childcare; to cut health waiting lists; ending violence against women and girls; better support for children and young people with special educational needs; to provide more social, affordable and sustainable housing; safer communities; protecting Lough Neagh and the environment; and the reform and transformation of public services. We must all focus on delivering the programme together for everyone. We know that there are challenges, but there are opportunities. With 'Our Plan', we have a way forward. It provides a road map for people, organisations and Departments. The Programme for Government provides a basis for transformational change in the things that really matter. I look forward to us — the Executive and the Assembly — working together to make a real difference. The scale of the challenges that we face requires new thinking and structures. A missions-based approach will help us to measure and prioritise our work. Those missions are "People", "Planet" and "Prosperity", and they are underpinned by a cross-cutting commitment to "Peace". When it comes to "People", we have some of the highest levels of life satisfaction in Europe, but not everyone here is able to have a positive experience of life. People from more deprived areas are more likely to suffer from poorer physical and mental health, for example. We need to invest in people and ensure that they are supported to succeed and prosper. We want everyone to reach their full potential. The "Planet" mission focuses on the natural environment. It is vital to everyone's health and well-being both now and in the future. We are all very aware of the increasingly evident biodiversity crisis, as seen, for example, at Lough Neagh. The "Prosperity" mission considers our economic performance. While it has improved dramatically in the past 25 years, it still lags behind where it could and should be. Our GDP per capita remains stubbornly low, and that is particularly true outside Belfast. We need to make sure that we are building the skills needed to attract investment that can grow our economy and benefit workers everywhere. In terms of "Peace", we want to build on the successes of the past 26 years to make sure that our peace is lasting, meaningful and prosperous for everyone here. By focusing on "People", "Planet" and "Prosperity", we will shape a fairer and more peaceful society. We know that equality of opportunity and good relations are central to that goal, supporting our commitment to safer communities. A key feature of the new programme is its focus on collaborative working between organisations and groups across the public, voluntary and private sectors. It is also a programme in which individuals and communities can play an active part. The Executive will therefore work collectively to deliver the programme and to drive forward work across departmental and sectoral boundaries. We will also be tracking performance regularly and publishing annual reports on the progress that we are making so that everyone can understand the impact that we are having. To improve the lives of people here, we need to deliver real change, and the Programme for Government provides us with a framework to deliver that change as an Executive. Mr Speaker, we are determined to find solutions. We are determined to take action to ensure that our communities have access to the life opportunities that they deserve. We are determined to make this a place that we can all be proud to call "home". We are determined to deliver for the public. The consultation will provide people here with an opportunity to consider the programme and provide their views on it. We can have an effective plan for Northern Ireland only if we can hear from those on whom it is most likely to impact. That is why it is important that as many people as possible share their views during the consultation process. 'Our Plan' is for all of us, and we all have a stake in making it happen.

I thank the Member for her question. This is the stage when we want to listen to people's views about the priorities. In putting together the draft Programme for Government, we have been listening to many people, and we believe that the draft document represents the key issues that matter most to people. They are the issues on which people want us to make progress. I am confident that all four parties in the Executive and, certainly, the First Minister and I share a determination to ensure that we deliver. We have made it clear that we want the Executive to deliver. As we jointly lead the Executive, we want to give a commitment to everyone throughout Northern Ireland that we have the determination to deliver. The best way to do that is with a plan that is put together by listening to people, by focusing on the right things and with a joint determination to make a real and positive difference to people's lives.

1,053 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Assessment

Not flagged

Jev’s structured answers

Assessed 21 October 2026 at 10:57 UTC by jev-1.13.0 (requested as typesafe/jev) under rubric 2026.10-r9, methodology 1.9.

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