Northern Ireland "wants and deserves" government by locally-elected representatives, the Northern Secretary has said.
Speaking yesterday in Corrymeela, Co Antrim, Mr Paul Murphy said his office was "committed to working towards building the trust and confidence necessary to restore all the institutions of the \ Agreement".
He added that he and his team of ministers had a duty to provide good governance and to attempt to build on the good work already done by the Executive prior to suspension last October.
Emphasising the positive in a week marked by ruptures within the Ulster Unionist Party and opposition mounting against the former First Minister, Mr David Trimble, Mr Murphy referred to the restoration of devolution.
"Our objective is to develop the Executive's agenda so that it can resume operation as seamlessly as possible. Over the past six months, we have moved that agenda forward, building on the priorities identified by local ministers and taking decisions wherever possible to give effect to the commitments the Executive made in its draft programme for government."
This was published last September, and was up for consultation before it was due to return to the Assembly for a final vote, usually in the same week as the budget is approved.
Referring to a radical programme of upgrading the North's crumbling infrastructure, Mr Murphy said: "We have been particularly conscious that the cornerstone of the Executive's last programme for government was reinvestment and reform and have given priority to this area, forming the Strategic Investment Board and launching a major strategic investment programme."
He said this aims to provide investment of some £2 billion in health, education, water, waste and other services. Mr Murphy stressed that such a spending plan would entail the raising of further local revenues - most likely through water charges and increased domestic and business rates.
Mr Murphy also addressed issues related to human rights and equality and confirmed that he would soon announce the appointment of a commissioner for children and young people.
Turning to those who suffered during the Troubles, he pledged action to "ensure that there is an appropriate forum to address the needs of victims and survivors".
However he stressed that the return of devolution represented the "best approach" to good governance in Northern Ireland. In the meantime efforts would continue to enable the restoration of the Executive and other institutions as speedily as possible.