The Assembly's First Minister Dr Ian Paisley and deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, have outlined their three year Programme for Government and multi billion pound Investment Strategy to the Northern Ireland Assembly.

The Programme for Government and Investment Strategy, which set out the Executives priorities and goals for the next year three years, were placed before the Assembly today for endorsement by its members.

Speaking in the Assembly chamber The First Minister said: "Today marks another milestone in the life of this Executive and presents an opportunity to create a shared and better future for all the people of Northern Ireland. Too many people have spent the greater part of their lives in a society divided by conflict. Through this Programme for Government we can begin to transform our society."

The deputy First Minister said: "At long last local Ministers are making decisions on behalf of local people. The programme we have laid before the Assembly today has been debated, agreed and endorsed by local Ministers. This Executive is determined to make a difference, the public can be assured that we will drive these plans forward and deliver the goals outlined in this programme."

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The programme sets out a number of ambitious targets including increasing the employment rate from 70% to 75% by 2020, creating a minimum of 6,500 jobs.

Reducing the number of children killed on our roads by 50% by 2012, providing free public transport to everyone aged 60 or above, investing over £500m in regenerating disadvantaged communities by 2012, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 25% below 1990 levels by 2025.

Today's publication follows a period of consultation on the draft Programme for Government published in October last year. During the consultation period over 9,500 people formally responded. This is among the highest response rate of any consultation undertaken by Government in Northern Ireland.

To coincide with the publication of the Programme for Government the Ministers also announced an investment strategy amounting to almost £20bn of investment in the next 10 years, of which almost £6bn is earmarked for the first three years.

The strategy includes allocations of £1.8bn to Social Development to proceed with the delivery of 10,000 social and affordable houses over the next five years and an additional £140mn to underpin the hospitals modernisation programme.

Dr Paisley concluded: "The Programme for Government is for and about the people of Northern Ireland and the lives that they will lead. We must ensure that we deliver on our commitments and make a positive difference that we can all be proud of."

Mr McGuinness said by working together the Executive can begin to build a peaceful fair and prosperous society for everyone.

(GK/JM)