The First Minister, Mr David Trimble, described the debate on the Executive's Programme for Government as the most important the Assembly has held.
Speaking before yesterday's debate, Mr Trimble said it would act as "a road map for the direction of Executive policy".
"While I acknowledge that the debate may well lack some of the political pyrotechnics of other occasions, it is, in my opinion, the most important meeting we have had to date," he said.
Mr Trimble said the programme was "an opportunity to begin to put behind us the sterility and neglect of direct rule, and to begin to apply our own imagination and energies for the good of the people".
Mr Billy Bell (UUP) typified many UUP and SDLP members when he said the programme was by necessity only an outline for government.
Mr Peter Robinson (DUP) said the document was "full of shibboleths and has very little substance". He said the people wanted to see "real, tangible proposals" rather than "candyfloss".