The Northern Ireland Executive's programme for government has been published
The programme for government was approved by a majority of MLAs on Monday evening after a day of debate in the assembly
First Minister Michelle O'Neill told the assembly the programme for government was a "significant milestone" for the executive
Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly described it as "not the totality of our ambitions" but rather it is about "prioritisation"
Matthew O'Toole of the SDLP said it was a "missed opportunity"
The paper sets out priorities for executive departments and targets to meet over the next two years
The plan, called "Doing What Matters Most", was unanimously agreed by the four parties in the executive last week
The SDLP's Matthew O'Toole is first on his feet after Michelle O'Neill opens the debate.
He's critical, saying he "didn't hear a single clear target" outlined in the plan.
"It is far short of the kind of clear, targeted plan that the people of Northern Ireland deserve after so many years of failure," he said.
Image source, NI AssemblyO'Neill tells the assembly the executive will be "open and transparent" about the progress it is making on its programme for government.
"We will update our actions on an annual basis, we will keep everyone informed about the budget position and we'll also publish annual reports," she said.
She also said the executive had developed a "well-being framework which looks at progress under our mission of people, planet, prosperity and that cross-cutting commitment to peace".
O'Neill added: "Ultimately for all of us elected in this chamber, politics is about people.
"It's about working together to make that real and positive difference in people's lives, in families' lives, in workers' lives, in communities' lives."
O'Neill continues to state her argument for the programme and adds that as an executive "we won't always agree on everything but there are many things that we will agree on and those are the things we should focus on.
"We agreed that families need support to deal with the cost of child care, we agreed that our teachers need support and our public sector workers need properly paid.
"We all agree that drugs destroy communities and the police need resources to put the dealers out of business.
"We all can agree that it is that economic prosperity that is a game changer for every community."
First Minister, Michelle O'Neill, opens the debate on the programme for government.
She says today is "a significant milestone for the government".
"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," said Ms O'Neill.
She adds: "We said we'd 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."
The assembly debate on the programme for government is starting now.
You can watch by clicking 'watch live' at the top of this page.
Image source, Getty ImagesThe programme for government sets out the executive's immediate priorities for the remaining assembly term.
It includes specific targets for each of the key priority areas - things like cutting health waiting times, protecting Lough Neagh and reforming public services.
A draft version was published last September before an eight-week public consultation.
More than 1,400 responses were received in the consultation process for the draft programme for government.
Image source, PAEmma Little-Pengelly (left) and Michelle O'Neill head up Northern Ireland's Executive
Good afternoon and welcome to BBC News NI's live coverage of the Northern Ireland Assembly debate ahead of the launch of the programme for government.
The document will officially be unveiled later today after its presentation to the assembly.
The plan, called "Doing What Matters Most", was unanimously agreed by the four parties in the executive last week.
It's set to kick-off at 12:30 GMT.
