Debate contribution: Programme for Government 2024-27

Debate contribution by Ms Michelle O'Neill on 3 March 2025.

MLA

Ms Michelle O'Neill

Party at the time

Sinn Féin

Date

3 March 2025

Type

Debate contribution (made as a minister)

Business

Executive Committee Business

Heading

Programme for Government 2024-27

Assembly identifier

Official Report component 4825725

Read the official Assembly record

Text

I beg to move

Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle.

I also take the opportunity to welcome Verona Murphy, Ceann Comhairle of Dáil Éireann, to the Assembly on such a significant day. It is significant because today is a significant milestone for the Executive as we introduce the finalised Programme for Government (PFG). On taking up office, we promised to create hope and opportunity. We pledged to work for everyone and reassured people that we would be on their side. We said that we would work together and show that power-sharing could succeed and that, under our leadership, this would be an Executive of partnership and an Executive of progress. On 3 February, it was one year since devolution was restored and I took up my position as First Minister. Somebody commented on that day that the challenges that so many families face throughout the North are the same no matter where they come from or what they believe. It is those shared problems that we have to focus on. It is those shared problems that blight too many lives and that we can work together on constructively and urgently to address. I also said that, as an Executive, we would not always agree on everything, but there are many things that we will agree on, and those are the things that we should focus on. We agreed that families need support to deal with the cost of childcare. We agreed that our teachers need support and that our public-sector workers need properly paid. We all agree that drugs destroy communities and that the police need resources to put the dealers out of business. We all can agree that economic prosperity is a game changer for every community. Those are all major issues that face our society and that we are committed to tackling head-on. That is why they are now reflected in the Programme for Government as our priorities. It is a programme that sets out what matters most today. I believe that the Programme for Government shows what we need to prioritise to make this a better place to live, work and invest in. However, we know that, to do that, we must invest in and improve our public services. Every Member of the Chamber is aware of the challenging financial context in which we are operating. Budgets are exceptionally tight. That is why reform and transformation are central to the Programme for Government. I am pleased to say that good progress has been made to lay the foundations of that transformation. We have established a new delivery unit in the Executive Office to provide support to the Executive in reforming and transforming our struggling public services. That work is underpinned by a £235 million transformation fund that will make much-needed investments to deliver better, more accessible and more efficient public services. The Programme for Government does not belong to just the Executive; it belongs to every one of us here. We want the plan to deliver for everyone, which is why the consultation period was so important. A total of 1,400 responses was received. That is a greater response than to any previous Programme for Government consultation. We are grateful to every individual and organisation that took the time to respond. Your feedback has helped to strengthen the Programme for Government, because we have listened to what you had to say. As a result, we have introduced targets and annual objectives that will be updated each year in alignment with our Budget. We have stepped up our commitments to all communities and are doing more for older people and rural communities. As well as our nine priorities, we recognised the need to build new foundations and improve our infrastructure to facilitate delivery. By investing in water and waste water, roads and transport, we will encourage businesses to invest, enable housebuilding and support greater energy efficiency and affordability. Those investments will also improve our sporting infrastructure, help to create a healthier society and attract world-class events. All of us in the Executive agree that our obligations do not end with this mandate. To realise our vision of a brighter future, it is vital that we lay the foundations needed for longer-term improvements. Shaping a better tomorrow is an important part of the programme. In it, we have set three long-term missions: people, planet and prosperity. Those missions are underpinned by an overarching and cross-cutting commitment to peace. They provide us with a driving ambition for the future and a lens through which to prioritise and ensure that we deliver improved well-being, long-term sustainability and a thriving economy.

We believe that the Programme for Government reflects the shared ambitions of the Executive, and I commend all Ministers for their commitment and the collaborative approach that they took to the development of the agreement of the programme. The public are relying on each of us to act in their interests. I hope that the Programme for Government shows the public that we are willing to work together to do right by them. As we continue the vital work of delivery, we want to be open about how we do. That is why we have developed a well-being framework that looks at progress under our missions of "People", "Planet", "Prosperity" and that cross-cutting commitment to peace. We are committed to improving the well-being or quality of life of everyone across our society by keeping track of that information, so that we can always understand where we are, monitor our progress and address the things that matter most. We will update our actions annually. We will keep everyone informed about the Budget position, and we will publish annual reports. We will be open and transparent about the progress that we are making, and we will take every possible step to ensure that the programme is delivering what we set out to do. We bring the Programme for Government to the House today as another step forward in our efforts to improve people's lives. It is about making a positive difference and making things better for people. We will not be found wanting when it comes to doing everything that we can to deliver for people not only today but into the future. It is, ultimately, for all of us elected here to the Chamber. Politics is about people. It is about working together to make that real and positive difference in people's lives, families' lives, workers' lives and communities' lives. It is about ensuring that no one gets left behind. I will always do everything that I can to support you all in that endeavour. We face tough challenges ahead, no doubt, but we know that. Together, we can make a real difference in improving people's lives. Together, we can build a future for all who call here "home". No matter your background or where you come from, the Executive will have people's backs, and we will do everything that we can to keep leading. Certainly, I am committed to delivering and leading positive change. Now we need to work together as elected representatives, as Members of the Assembly and across our whole society to get on with the job of delivery. We welcome all contributions from Members today, and we look forward to working collaboratively with you all going forward.

1,220 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Assessment

Not flagged

Jev’s structured answers

Assessed 21 October 2026 at 12:03 UTC by jev-1.13.0 (requested as typesafe/jev) under rubric 2026.10-r9, methodology 1.9.

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