The second meeting of the Northern Ireland Executive convened at Stormont yesterday under the joint chairmanship of the First Minister, Mr David Trimble, and the Deputy First Minister, Mr Seamus Mallon, who later expressed their satisfaction at the progress achieved. Solid work was accomplished during the two-hour session, according to Mr Mallon.
Mr Trimble said the coming months would be used to formulate a programme of government and priorities for the new administration in advance of the new financial year which starts in April.
He admitted the absence of the two DUP ministers from the table wasn't "improving things" for the Executive which convenes again next Tuesday.
"To what extent is it causing a problem I can't give you an answer to that yet, but it certainly isn't helping matters that we have some people who are not carrying their full load," Mr Trimble added.
Mr Mallon said all attempts would be made to ensure the Executive, the administration and the other Executive ministers did not suffer from the absence of the DUP. The agenda for the meeting included discussion of the budget for 2000-1, the establishment of the civic forum and arrangements for the imminent inaugural meetings of the North-South Ministerial Council and the British-Irish conference.
The 10 Ulster Unionist, SDLP, and Sinn Fein Executive ministers will represent the Northern administration in Armagh next Monday for the first meeting of the cross-Border council, but DUP ministers have declined to attend.
"A lot of solid work done, but I think you will appreciate that the more normality sets in, the more detail accrues, and that detail is developing and growing in a very substantial way," said Mr Mallon.
Speaking as the Executive meeting was in session, the DUP minister for regional development, Mr Peter Robinson, insisted he did not need discussions with the cabinet to run his department.
"I know what the cabinet is dealing with. I receive the papers from the cabinet. I receive the minutes of those meetings and I make the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister aware of my views on any of those issues," he added.
The SDLP MP for South Down, Mr Eddie McGrady, has called on the Minister of Health, Ms Bairbre de Brun, to make a priority of the construction of a new hospital in Downpatrick, Co Down.
Mr McGrady said it was up to Ms de Brun to ensure the decision for the building of the hospital was implemented "as quickly as possible and with a full range of acute services and medical facilities".
He also called on Ms de Brun to reverse a decision by the British government to centralise maternity services in the area. The Minister of Education, Mr Martin McGuinness launched an environmental programme for schools, entitled Green Code.
"The Green Code Programme for Schools is a valuable and fun-to-use way of teaching our young people to make informed and positive decisions about the way to manage our environment in the future," Mr McGuinness said at the launch in Belfast.
The Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure, Mr Michael McGimpsey, yesterday announced a major review of local museums and heritage which would investigate current provisions and put in place a framework for development.
"The review is long overdue. Our local museums and heritage contribute greatly to cultural life across Northern Ireland. It is time that we recognised this contribution and brought forward imaginative ideas for strengthening relationships across the sector.
"Developing a strong policy framework and a sustainable development strategy are vital steps for securing the future of local museums and heritage," Mr McGimpsey said.
The Minister of the Environment, Mr Sam Foster, thanked well-wishers for their messages of congratulations and encouragement on his appointment.
He said while all the new ministers were facing challenges in their departments, he intended to meet his "with fairness and integrity".