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| Positive start for Stormont but more to do after first year - NI leaders | Positive start for Stormont but more to do after first year - NI leaders |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Emma Little-Pengelly and Michelle O'Neill have been in government together for a year | Emma Little-Pengelly and Michelle O'Neill have been in government together for a year |
| The Northern Ireland Executive has achieved "significant" progress in its first year in operation but there is "much more to do" to improve public services. | The Northern Ireland Executive has achieved "significant" progress in its first year in operation but there is "much more to do" to improve public services. |
| That was the joint verdict of First Minister Michelle O'Neill and Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly as they were asked about its track record to date. | That was the joint verdict of First Minister Michelle O'Neill and Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly as they were asked about its track record to date. |
| O'Neill told BBC News NI the four-party coalition is doing its best and must put its "shoulder to the wheel". | O'Neill told BBC News NI the four-party coalition is doing its best and must put its "shoulder to the wheel". |
| Little-Pengelly said big issues like health waiting lists were never going to be eradicated in one 12-month period. | Little-Pengelly said big issues like health waiting lists were never going to be eradicated in one 12-month period. |
| "But we've made a really strong start," she added. | "But we've made a really strong start," she added. |
| Devolved government was restored at Stormont exactly 12 months ago after a two-year gap due to a stand-off over post-Brexit trade rules. | Devolved government was restored at Stormont exactly 12 months ago after a two-year gap due to a stand-off over post-Brexit trade rules. |
| O'Neill said they had made "huge strides forward" including securing nearly £500m in extra funding for public services and settling public sector pay disputes. | O'Neill said they had made "huge strides forward" including securing nearly £500m in extra funding for public services and settling public sector pay disputes. |
| "We have prioritised investing in our public sector workers by ensuring their pay awards were made, that was a day one priority and we'll continue to do so." | "We have prioritised investing in our public sector workers by ensuring their pay awards were made, that was a day one priority and we'll continue to do so." |
| The first minister added that the situation in health was not acceptable but does not believe the executive had '"left it all" to the health minister. | The first minister added that the situation in health was not acceptable but does not believe the executive had '"left it all" to the health minister. |
| "We know this is an area that will require significant investment and that's why it has got over half of the budget" she added. | |
| O'Neill said the challenges in the health system have existed for a long time and described the situation as "trying to turn a tanker". | O'Neill said the challenges in the health system have existed for a long time and described the situation as "trying to turn a tanker". |
| Little-Pengelly said the executive needs "a plan" from the Department of Health to tackle the problems. | Little-Pengelly said the executive needs "a plan" from the Department of Health to tackle the problems. |
| "It is the case we can't continue to spend as we do, if we are prioritising health, we need that plan from health." | "It is the case we can't continue to spend as we do, if we are prioritising health, we need that plan from health." |
| The deputy first minister added that the shortened term of this assembly was always going to be a "challenge". | The deputy first minister added that the shortened term of this assembly was always going to be a "challenge". |
| She said prioritisation was essential and that was evident in the draft programme for government which focused on the issues that matter most to people. | She said prioritisation was essential and that was evident in the draft programme for government which focused on the issues that matter most to people. |
| O'Neill responds to 'glorifying terrorism' claim | O'Neill responds to 'glorifying terrorism' claim |
| Last week Baroness Arlene Foster called for a change in the law to prosecute people in authority who attend paramilitary commemorations | Last week Baroness Arlene Foster called for a change in the law to prosecute people in authority who attend paramilitary commemorations |
| O'Neill was asked how she felt about a call from her predecessor, Baroness Arlene Foster, for her to be prosecuted if she attends future IRA commemorations. | O'Neill was asked how she felt about a call from her predecessor, Baroness Arlene Foster, for her to be prosecuted if she attends future IRA commemorations. |
| Baroness Foster, a former leader of the DUP, accused O'Neill of "glorifying terrorism" over her attendance at a recent event in Magherafelt. | Baroness Foster, a former leader of the DUP, accused O'Neill of "glorifying terrorism" over her attendance at a recent event in Magherafelt. |
| It commemorated three IRA members who died in 1971 when the bomb they were driving exploded prematurely. | It commemorated three IRA members who died in 1971 when the bomb they were driving exploded prematurely. |
| Foster told the House of Lords that a change in the law was needed "to deal with those in authority who continue to exalt and deify terrorists". | Foster told the House of Lords that a change in the law was needed "to deal with those in authority who continue to exalt and deify terrorists". |
| O'Neill replied: "I don't agree with Arlene Foster's assertion. | O'Neill replied: "I don't agree with Arlene Foster's assertion. |
| "I think that it's important that we're all respectful of everybody that's lost [loved ones during the Troubles]. | "I think that it's important that we're all respectful of everybody that's lost [loved ones during the Troubles]. |
| "We've a very complicated and difficult past but let's try to be respectful of each other." | "We've a very complicated and difficult past but let's try to be respectful of each other." |
| O'Neill also said becoming the first Irish republican to hold the post of first minister "in a state that was designed to ensure that that was never the case" was still highly significant in the public's minds. | O'Neill also said becoming the first Irish republican to hold the post of first minister "in a state that was designed to ensure that that was never the case" was still highly significant in the public's minds. |
| She insisted she would continue to keep her promise to be "a first minister for all". | She insisted she would continue to keep her promise to be "a first minister for all". |
| A growing friendship? | A growing friendship? |
| Michelle O'Neill said they are friends and Emma Little-Pengelly said they have a "professional working relationship" | Michelle O'Neill said they are friends and Emma Little-Pengelly said they have a "professional working relationship" |
| After a year in office together, O'Neill and Little-Pengelly were also asked about their own personal relationship - specifically if they now considered themselves as "friends". | After a year in office together, O'Neill and Little-Pengelly were also asked about their own personal relationship - specifically if they now considered themselves as "friends". |
| "Yes I think we are. I mean, I think we've got a very challenging job," O'Neill replied. | "Yes I think we are. I mean, I think we've got a very challenging job," O'Neill replied. |
| Little-Pengelly added: "As we said from the outset, we're very different people with very different views. | Little-Pengelly added: "As we said from the outset, we're very different people with very different views. |
| "There are things that we won't agree on... but I think the key thing is that we are determined to deliver for people. | |
| "This is a professional working relationship and I think we work very well together and we will continue to do that," the deputy first minister added. | "This is a professional working relationship and I think we work very well together and we will continue to do that," the deputy first minister added. |
| O'Neill said their recent response to Storm Éowyn was a good example of "the importance of having a locally-elected assembly and executive in place". | O'Neill said their recent response to Storm Éowyn was a good example of "the importance of having a locally-elected assembly and executive in place". |
| It was the first time a red weather warning - the highest level of safety alert - was issued across the island of Ireland and it led to unprecedented power cuts. | It was the first time a red weather warning - the highest level of safety alert - was issued across the island of Ireland and it led to unprecedented power cuts. |
| "I think Emma and I certainly tried to lead from the front in terms of the storm response and I'm very pleased with that," O'Neill said. | "I think Emma and I certainly tried to lead from the front in terms of the storm response and I'm very pleased with that," O'Neill said. |
| At its peak, 30% of all premises in Northern Ireland had their power disconnected but O'Neill said she believed that figure was now down to "about 400 people". | At its peak, 30% of all premises in Northern Ireland had their power disconnected but O'Neill said she believed that figure was now down to "about 400 people". |
| She added that both she and the deputy first minister advocated strongly for customers to be compensated for financial losses during the prolonged power cuts. | She added that both she and the deputy first minister advocated strongly for customers to be compensated for financial losses during the prolonged power cuts. |
| "This is something that NIE and Utility Regulator needs to work out and then approach the Department of Economy in terms of any legislative change that's required," she said. | "This is something that NIE and Utility Regulator needs to work out and then approach the Department of Economy in terms of any legislative change that's required," she said. |
| Marks out of 10? | |
| The leader of the opposition, Matthew O'Toole from the the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) said there had been little "meaningful change" in the past year. | |
| "The executive will look for bunting and birthday cards for an anniversary but they've been marking time rather than making progress," he said. | |
| "I would struggle to give them a three or four out of 10." |