Assembly programme details emerge

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A total of 18 bills are to be put before the assembly during the current session, which runs until July.

It has emerged the first and deputy first ministers have written to Speaker William Hay, detailing the executive's planned legislative programme.

It includes measures concerning charity regulation, pensions and the restructuring of education bodies.

Also covered is the spread of animal diseases and improvements to the current child support system.

Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness described the measures as a "vital and tangible stage" in the development and implementation of the executive's objective of securing "real benefits and improvements".

Three of the bills are already before the assembly. They relate to the restructuring of the administration of libraries, taxi regulations and health matters.

Later this week, the first and deputy first ministers are expected to table a motion which will give the assembly the opportunity to discuss the content of the programme.