Responding to a question from Sinn Féin's Nicola Brogan, Michelle O'Neill highlights that this is a "different mandate, a shortened mandate, and it's also a mandate that is marred with financial challenges not least because of austerity".

With that in mind, she says it is important they look at the programme for government as "reflecting the reality of the challenging situation that we face".

But she says the document "points to hope" that there "are opportunities with growing our economy, attracting trade and creating more better paid jobs".

Alliance MLA Connie Egan asks that the executive will make sure all departments have an input to tackle the ending of violence, misogyny and abuse against women and girls.

Ms O’Neill says that “hopefully over the coming days, hopefully next week” they will be able to announce a strategy to end violence against women and girls.

She says the Executive signed off on that piece of work last week.

“This is a whole of society problem that we have and we must do everything we can to end violence against women and girls.”

Ms O’Neill noted that three women "tragically" lost their lives over the summer.

Deborah Erskine from the DUP asks about what work is taking place on Northern Ireland's waterways.

The deputy first minster says everyone is "conscious of the investment in waste water sewage" and the impact that is having. She says it is one of the most urgent issues the assembly is facing.

She says the investment strategy for Northern Ireland will be key to help with this.

Sinn Féin's Colm Gildernew asks the chamber: "Would you agree with me that it is essential that all voices have input and are able to shape and form the consultation process?"

Michelle O'Neill says: "We are asking for as wide as possible engagement with the process as we possibly can".

She highlights that "we want to hear from the labour movement, from civic society, the business community, academia and, of course, from our young people."

She adds that: "This is our plan, it will make a difference to our lives, our family's lives and wider society... we need to drive home the message that everybody has a stake in it."

UUP MLA Alan Chambers asks whether additional funds will be made available to tackle health waiting lists.

Ms Little-Pengelly says one of the key priorities is to cut health waiting lists.

She says that can’t happen without transformation.

"It can’t be the case that continuous additional funds can go in but “outcomes remain not just the same but actually worse," she says.

“Therefore we do need a plan to be brought forward but we will work with the health minister to support that," Ms Little-Pengelly says.

"Where there is a need for additional expertise we will look to that. We wat to move urgently on this.”

She says if the programme is agreed then there will be “very specific targets” included in it, along with an action plan. They will work with the health minister to bring “year-on-year, real and meaningful progress”.

Paula Bradshaw of the Alliance Party asks the first minister how she is going to manage the expectations from the consultation.

Michelle O'Neill says that this is a draft document and that "we are in listening mode".

She says there will be an eight-week consultation period.

She says she will go out in person and engage and encourages other minsters to do the same.

Joanne Bunting, DUP, introduces the topics of death, dying and bereavement as "fundamental aspects of life".

She asks: "Is The Executive Office open to a conversation around the inclusion of such an issue in its list of priorities?"

The deputy first minister says that "the first minister and I would be up for having that conversation", adding that it is "fundamentally important that the programme for government does follow that 'life cycle' approach".

First Minister Michelle O'Neill says she is pleased that the Executive has "reached this point", adding that it is a "very ambitious programme".

Ms O'Neill says the Executive is "absolutely committed to being open and transparent" in terms of the progress "that we're going to make".

"There's nobody in this chamber that underestimates the scale of the challenge that we have in our health service," she says.

Ms O'Neill says the best way to fix it is by "working together".

Here is a link to the draft programme for government., external

Sinn Féin's Carál Ní Chuilín says today marks a "significant milestone for the four-party executive, particularly setting our their priorities".

She asks Emma Little Pengelly "how confident are you that these draft commitments will be delivered?"

The deputy first minister responds that "in putting together this draft we have been out listening to many people" and that this document "represents the key issues that matter most to people".

"I am very confident that there is shared determination across all four parties" to "ensure we do deliver".

Image source, Stormont

The SDLP's leader of opposition, Mathew O'Toole, says the people of Northern Ireland wanted clear targets and a clear plan to deliver.

He says that in the programme of government he can't find anywhere in the document that shows a clear target to reduce waiting lists.

The deputy first minister says the assembly is determined to find solutions and take actions so communities have access to opportunities that they deserve.

Ms Little-Pengelly says it's 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," she says.

Ms Little-Pengelly finishes her speech.

Ms Little-Pengelly says the Executive is taking a missions-based approach.

She says these missions are people, planet and prosperity.

"They are underpinned by a cross-cutting commitment to peace," she says.

Ms Little-Pengelly says that by focusing on people, planet and prosperity "we will shape a more fairer and peaceful society".

The deputy first minister says she looks forward to working together with the assembly to make a "real difference" and that the programme for government creates a "transformational change."

She says new thinking is required to address the challenges.

Enda McClafferty
BBC News NI political editor

"At an initial glance, there doesn't seem to be any hard and fast targets in this," our correspondent says.

"It's very much about setting out the pathway that the executive plans to follow.

"It's worth remembering that this is a draft programme for government, it charts the difficulty of the challenges that we have here.

"We know that nine priorities were outlined by the executive last week, and this goes into a little bit more detail as to how they plan to put action, plans, strategies in place to tackle some of the key issues we have in Northern Ireland."

Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly is on her feet in the Assembly chamber now.

"We make no apology for being ambitious," she says.

Ms Little-Pengelly says the government wants to "build on the fact that we are global leaders in key sectors" such as cyber, fintech and health and life sciences.

She says the government also wants to "continue to invest in 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."

Ms Little-Pengelly reads out the document's nine priorities.

It’s been a while since the last programme for government was approved.

Northern Ireland's devolved government was restored in February after the DUP ended a two-year boycott over post-Brexit checks on goods going between Northern Ireland and Great Britain.

The last time an executive managed to get one over the line was during the Assembly’s fourth term between 2011 and 2015.

One was also agreed in 2016 and went out to public consultation.

However, before it could be passed, the then Sinn Féin Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness resigned in January 2017 and power sharing collapsed.

Assembly proceedings are under way.

Independent MLA Claire Sugden begins by congratulating Northern Ireland athletics who competed in the Paris Olympic and Paralympic games.

Programme for government proceedings are expected to get under way in about half an hour.

Welcome back.

The Stormont assembly proceedings are set to begin shortly.

The long-awaited draft programme for government was signed off by the Northern Ireland Executive on Thursday - more than seven months after the return of devolution.

We'll bring you the latest as it happens.

We are taking a short break now - but we'll be back before midday to cover the Stormont assembly proceedings.

Please join us then.

In a final word, Ms Hanna said: "In terms of a message to the executive, it's that our politics is, and will continue to be about social justice and about anti-sectarianism and ambition.

"I will say more when I take on the role of leader next month."

And with that, the press conference comes to an end.