The DUP and SDLP have said government proposals for the new Northern Ireland Assembly are discriminatory.
A new legal clause effectively excludes the Alliance Party from any future role as justice or deputy justice minister in an assembly, they said.
Legislation, debated in parliament on Tuesday, states that the jobs should be occupied by politicians from the two biggest designations in the assembly.
The posts would almost certainly go to a unionist or nationalist.
DUP deputy leader Peter Robinson told MPs that this proposal was discriminatory.
SDLP leader Mark Durkan said that limiting the assembly's choice of a future justice minister was "indefensible".
^ Back to top | BBC Sport Home | BBC Homepage | Contact us | Help | ©
~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~26~RS~)