Seven months since government returned, the failure to agree a plan has been heavily criticised.
The Northern Ireland Executive finally hopes to agree a draft programme for government more than seven months after the return of Stormont.It is understood the politicians hope to sign off a draft programme at an executive meeting later on Thursday.
Programmes for government are published by the devolved governments as a way to set and measure long-term goals. And for all the positive noises coming out of Stormont following the Democratic Unionist Party's two-year boycott the failure to agree one so far has thrown an unwelcome focus on Stormont's perceived failings.They also agreed one in 2016 which went out to public consultation. But before it could be passed the Sinn Féin deputy first minister Martin McGuiness resigned in January 2017 and the executive fell.
The SDLP MLA Matthew O'Toole, Stormont's leader of the opposition, said recently that while acknowledging the positive images emerging over the past few months "the public is beginning to wake up to the fact that the parade of motions brought before the assembly by executive parties are totally meaningless when it comes to the issues they are dealing with".
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Seven things I’ve learnt from being made redundant seven timesAnniki Sommerville was first made redundant in 1998, aged 26 and most recently, at 51. She shares what she's learnt along the way
Read more »
Triathlon: The London doctor taking on seven ironman triathlonsDr Rob Mitchell, 32, hopes to complete seven ironman triathlons in seven days for charity.
Read more »
Stormont recalled to discuss Belfast riots amid 'paramilitary element'The unrest started in Belfast on Saturday following an anti-immigration demonstration and violent protests have continued for several days.
Read more »
LIVE: MLAs to return to Stormont to discuss racially motivated violenceThis recall follows multiple nights of violence across Belfast
Read more »
Stormont Assembly recalled return to discuss recent disorderSince the weekend, there have been consecutive nights of violence in parts of Belfast.
Read more »
LIVE: MLAs return to Stormont to discuss racially motivated violenceThis recall follows multiple nights of violence across Belfast
Read more »