Fears grow for future of Assembly

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Leader of the nationalist SDLP Mark Durkan said the political stand-off between the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) and Sinn Fein was creating a crisis at the heart of government.

Disagreement between the parties over key issues was blamed for the cancellation of a cabinet meeting earlier this month and he said if one scheduled for Thursday does not go ahead, the Assembly must be recalled as a matter of urgency.

Mr Durkan, who is chair of the Assembly's enterprise, trade and investment committee, said politicians had to show leadership at a time when economic hardships were hitting ordinary people.

"Over the past few months we have seen remarkably few Executive meetings," he said.

"This has meant important matters such as PPS14 (rural planning laws), education reform and resolving the issue of water charges have all been held up.

"Furthermore, I know the (SDLP) Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie has expressed her frustration at being unable to table three bills during this unacceptable delay."

His comments come as the DUP and Sinn Fein are locked in talks over a series of divisive issues including the transfer of policing powers to Stormont, education reform, the introduction of an Irish language act and the future of the Maze prison site.

The parties have pledged to intensify talks on the transfer of policing powers, but the other issues separating them are proving just as divisive.

As they fail to agree deals on the outstanding matters, the result has been a slow-down of the work of the Executive which is dominated by the two biggest parties.