Ulster Unionist leader Sir Reg Empey has claimed that tensions between Sinn Féin and the DUP are damaging the effectiveness of Northern Ireland's power-sharing government.
Sir Reg, who holds the Education and Learning portfolio, says that important decisions and meetings on many issues have been blocked or postponed because of the disagreement.
He says that in recent weeks preparatory discussions for the weekly executive or cabinet meeting have been postponed.
He says important decisions across a wide range of policy areas are caught in the logjam and stacking up.
One of the most contentious areas is the devolution of justice and policing powers.
There are other disagreements too, about the reform of education, an Irish language act and plans to build a national stadium at the Maze.
Last month Sinn Féin threatened to block Peter Robinson's appointment as first minister unless it got concessions.
Sir Reg today told RTÉ News that the problem of threat and counter threat is damaging the effectiveness of power-sharing.
