The 17th November launch of the draft Programme for Government and associated economic and investment strategies heralded a 12-week consultation on the Executive's priorities. In essence the three documents set out the Executive's proposals for how Northern Ireland should move forward as one community, particularly with respect to economic strategy and priorities for achieving sustainable growth and prosperity.
This lunchtime event was an early opportunity to, first; gain some insight into the politics of the Programme and associated strategies; and second, with wider economic problems intensifying, to consider the practicalities of what will have to be delivered.
Five MLAs - Simon Hamilton (DUP), Chris Lyttle (AP), Alister McDonnell (SDLP), Mitchel McLaughlin (SF), and Mike Nesbitt (UUP) - shared their views on the Programme and the road map it and the other documents have set out. Following individual presentations by the five politicians there was an opportunity to discuss with them the challenges faced and to hear waht they had to say in response to issues raised with them.
A report on the event is available here. Contact Kim McKnight (T) 02890 347400 for more information.
Links...
Downloadable copies of the draft documents: