The SDLP MLA for Newry has criticised the Stormont Executive over its "political stagnation".

According to the Armagh MLA Dominic Bradley, the Executive has been in deadlock for the last seven to eight weeks with not one piece of legislation having been passed.

"We are still without a programme for government as we move into the first recess since the summer break, which is an indictment of how poorly business is operating at Stormont."

Mr Bradley said the Government had failed to identify its spending priorities for the next four years and was stuck in a "shambolic situation" where the Executive is deciding on a budget with no spending priorities identified.

"This is totally unacceptable and the public deserve better. Politicians are elected to look after the needs of people by improving government services and using their influence to change outdated, restrictive legislation, but the DUP/Sinn Fein power block are simply not delivering.

"We have a Deputy First Minister who abandoned his post for six weeks in an attempt to gain limelight on the southern political stage and in the meantime political stagnation in the North has prevailed and people are suffering as a result.

"As Martin McGuinness returns to work it is important that his party show some evidence that they are serious about performing in government."

Mr Bradley also said the Northern Executive needed to make progress and action must be taken to formulate a schedule for legislation and a programme for government to ensure public services were adequately funded and protected over the next four years.

(DW/BMcC)