Ministers move to cut questions

The first and deputy first ministers appear twice a month

The NI first and deputy first ministers are seeking to cut the amount of time they spend answering questions in the Assembly, BBC News has learned.

Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness currently appear twice a month during question time but have suggested once a month would be more appropriate.

A letter is understood to have been sent to the Assembly's procedure committee.

The issue is to be discussed on Wednesday.

"At present, the first and deputy first ministers take turns appearing before the Assembly, every fortnight - effectively twice a month," said BBC NI political correspondent Martina Purdy.

"But the other departmental ministers only appear once a month and the first and deputy first ministers are proposing that since they represent a single department they should be treated the same as the others.

"It's also being suggested that on occasions the junior ministers answer questions on their behalf."

SDLP leader Mark Durkan criticised the proposals, accusing DUP and Sinn Féin ministers of showing disdain for the Assembly, and trying to "hollow out its accountability role".