Statement from First Minister Arlene Foster and deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness

Date published: 19 May 2016

“The new PfG has not been plucked out of thin air. It has involved extensive consultation with political parties in the Executive, including the SDLP, dating back to last December.

“The SDLP were involved in this process every step of the way. At no stage during it did they raise any objections, concerns or, more importantly, alternatives to this planned approach.

“The SDLP attended four workshops on the development of the new PfG from December to February.

“These workshops clearly set out the objectives for May, and a further later phase setting out specific actions to be taken.

“You would have to question why at this stage - and because of the SDLP involvement from the outset - they now say the framework they were fully involved in lacks ambition.

“Either the SDLP had no intention of joining the new Executive and are playing to the gallery and the media.

“Or, they failed to grasp the new approach to government and are not up for the challenges ahead.

“Or, in an act of desperation inspired by their poor election result, they are now preparing to slavishly follow the Ulster Unionist Party out of government.

“We are committed to putting together the best possible PfG that will create more and better jobs and investment in our health service, our schools and support for the most vulnerable in society.”