Ulster Unionist finance spokesman Roy Beggs said he welcomed some parts of the budget but added that he was disappointed it had been drawn up without meaningful consultation with assembly members or its committee representatives.

BBC: Boost for NI public spending

Committees drawn from all parties in the currently powerless Northern Ireland Assembly would liaise between government departments and the Assembly.

ECONOMIST: Back to work

When the 1998 Northern Ireland Act was drawn up, the regulation of activities should have been omitted from the assembly's powers.

BBC: Northern Ireland assembly to put Antarctic powers on ice