Reg Empey: "We need to create an infrastructure to promote growth"

In the first of these he said the executive aimed to develop new methods of helping local communities resolve their divisions together.

He said it also aimed to tackle inequalities in health and housing, fight poverty and provide educational and economic opportunities.

Sir Reg said �40m would be made available to upgrade a number of roads on important network routes to ensure that Northern Ireland had a strong infrastructure which would promote economic growth.

This, he said, would allow funding for upgrading the Westlink in Belfast, completing the dualling scheme on the A8 road from Belfast to Larne and dualling part of the Northern Ireland section of the Newry to Dundalk road - on the main route from Belfast to Dublin.

Consultation period

The plan will now be considered by the assembly and published for wider consultation before final decisions on funding allocations are made and the executive's Budget is completed in December.

Seamus Mallon: "Programme emphasises partnership approach"

Sir Reg said the administration's overriding objective was that of improving the quality of life for everyone in Northern Ireland.

He said: "Investing in education and skills is perhaps the key action of the programme.

"Education and training opens opportunities for everyone to reach their potential. Having a skilled and learning workforce will be crucial in establishing an advanced economic base.

'Partnership approach'

In his statement to the assembly, Seamus Mallon said the devolved administration wanted to stress its partnership approach to governing

Gregory Campbell welcomed roads funding plans

He said: "The programme for government represents a contract between the executive and assembly and the people of Northern Ireland, mapping out a new, agreed, direction.

"Cohesion, inclusion, and justice are the three themes underpinning both it and the implementation of all programmes and policies."

He said the executive's fifth priority - 'Developing North/South, East/West and International Relations' - recognised that the devolved government "cannot tackle Northern Ireland's problems in an insular way.

"We must therefore focus on developing more effective links with Europe and North America."

DUP Regional Development Minister, Gregory Campbell welcomed the commitment to the roads infrastructure in the draft programme.

He said: "I have taken every opportunity to draw attention to the serious deficiencies in our roads infrastructure and the need to mobilise significant additional resources to address this over a realistic timescale."

However, DUP leader Ian Paisley accused the executive of leaving out the victims of terrorism in the draft programme.

He also said that more than 200 promises contained in the last programme for government had not been fulfilled.

And he added that there was no mention from Sir Reg or Mr Mallon of the crisis within the executive with attempts by the Ulster Unionists to expel Sinn Fein.

He said: "It ill becomes in this state of play in Northern Ireland to have this form of government and this programme for government when we have a party in the executive that is linked to IRA/Sinn Fein."