8 April 2011
Last updated at 10:06
NI assembly election issues guide: Overview
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Mark Devenport explains the issues
The Northern Ireland Assembly at Stormont can make policies for all matters transferred to it from Westminster, which includes everything except defence, foreign policy, and raising taxes.
Positions in the cabinet, known as the Northern Ireland Executive, are allocated by party based on how many seats they have won; Stormont departments operate within the financial allocation granted by Westminster.
Outlined here are some of the key priorities by the largest seven parties contesting the election on 5 May. Read more from 成人快手 Northern Ireland Political Editor Mark Devenport.
Election issues 2011
Overview
DUP
Sinn Fein
UUP
SDLP
Alliance
Green
TUV
Create more jobs
Fix education; better health service
Low rates; tougher prison sentences
Reform Stormont; work together
Strengthen unionism
Unite Ireland
Implement an all-Ireland economic recovery plan
Devolve more powers from Westminster, including fiscal powers
Promote equality across the island of Ireland
Ensure proper funding for social services and health; provision based on need, not ability to pay
Maximise opportunity of turning Northern Ireland into an enterprise zone; long-term strategy to rebalance the economy and boost the private sector
Find long-term resolution of the post primary transfer process
Reform the government structures; significantly reduce the number of MLAs, executive departments, local councils and unelected bodies
Build prosperity through job creation and protection of the most vulnerable
Invest more in health, education and the environment to boost the economy and develop society
End religious segregation to save money and create a shared future
Rebalance the economy; government must provide an environment that grows the private sector in a sustainable way
Modernise public services, reducing waste and bureaucracy
Use environmental and cultural resources to attract investment; address energy needs through renewable energy
Insulate 500,000 homes to boost employment, reduce average heating bills and reduce carbon emissions
Introduce feed-in tariff to encourage the use of renewable energy
Prioritise public transport; suspend new road building schemes to free up money to be invested in other areas
Make the Stormont Executive a voluntary coalition so the executive can be held to account by the opposition
Get Northern Ireland back to work by focusing on employment
Improve the health service and put patients needs first
Oppose Sinn Fein at every level within government