SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole MLA has issued a sharp rebuke to Sinn Féin and the DUP after the two parties voted down a series of amendments to the Fiscal Council Bill. The proposed changes, put forward by the SDLP Opposition, were designed to provide the Northern Ireland Fiscal Council with expanded powers to monitor and evaluate the performance of the Stormont Executive.

Among the rejected proposals were measures that would have enabled the Fiscal Council to assess the Executive's progress in delivering its Programme for Government. Further amendments sought to empower the Council to analyse the economic impact of Executive decisions and investigate the costs associated with the duplication of public services.

Despite receiving support from every other MLA in the Assembly, the amendments failed to pass due to the combined opposition of Sinn Féin and the DUP. South Belfast MLA Matthew O'Toole commented: "Today's amendments were reasonable and supported by all parties in the Assembly other than Sinn Féin and the DUP. They may fall out for the cameras and engage in sham fights, but they are unified in wanting to avoid proper scrutiny - which is why they united to kill off our proposals today.

"The truth is the status quo suits these parties, they would rather focus on poking each other in the eye and polarising our society than delivering. People will draw their own conclusions about how serious either of these parties are about reform or improving our politics.

"This Executive has failed to deliver a multi-year Budget or any Budget and are now in breach of the law. The A5 and Casement Park remain unbuilt, our housing and health waiting lists continue to grow, Lough Neagh is polluted and our wastewater infrastructure is crumbling. Sinn Féin and the DUP will always put party interests ahead of what's best for the people of Northern Ireland and we are all the worse for it."