Eight weeks until the next scheduled meeting of the Stormont Executive — which has already failed to meet for more than a month.

That was the likelihood today after the DUP and Sinn Fein side-stepped criticism from the two other parties on the Executive, the Ulster Unionists and the SDLP.

It has now emerged the next meeting has not been pencilled in until Thursday, September 18 — a full 11 weeks since the last meeting on June 19.

The date came after it was learned that First Minister and DUP leader Peter Robinson met Gordon Brown yesterday for what a party spokesman described as a “regular update”.

Mr Robinson, who has signed off on 30 Executive papers which now remain in limbo, agreed to intensify talks with Sinn Fein on key issues including the devolution of policing and justice after a meeting with the PM in June.

There was no comment on the Downing Street session but Sinn Fein has complained the promised talks have failed to materialise and has refused to allow an Executive to take place.

Employment and Learning Minster Sir Reg Empey said he believed the DUP and Sinn Fein were “deadlocked” and SDLP Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie said her affordable housing programme is being hampered.

The Ulster Unionist leader said: “There appears to be deadlock between the two largest parties and I believe that action needs to be taken immediately. It is time the DUP and Sinn Fein started to deliver for those they claim to serve.

“Lets look at the practicalities here — the Executive has not met in over a month and will not do so for a further two months, how is this delivering for the people of Northern Ireland? At the minute people are more concerned with the cost of living, with fuel price hikes and the unpredictable housing market — the bread and butter issues of daily life.”

Mrs Ritchie, who has written to Mr Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness to complain that she has been prevented from tabling three bills, said: “The people who elected us have a right to expect much better.”

DUP and SF Junior Ministers Jeffrey Donaldson and Gerry Kelly who work for the First Ministers said talk of deadlock or crisis was premature.