Sinn Fein has rejected SDLP demands for an Assembly recall if the Executive fails to meet this week.

SF MLA Martina Anderson hit out at SDLP leader Mark Durkan's suggestion as “nothing more than political posturing”.

The Foyle MP and former Deputy First Minister said while people in Northern Ireland are feeling the effects of the economic crunch and companies are under pressure there have been remarkably few Executive meetings — the last on June 19.

And if the scheduled session for this Thursday is again postponed, another is not expected until September — a gap of almost three months.

“We are now reaching new levels of difficulties, where householders are struggling to heat their homes, run their cars and pay for food. Fuel poverty is widening and deepening. There are also budget implications for departments and services. Is the Executive’s best way of meeting this crisis not to meet?,” Mr Durkan asked.

Ms Anderson said: “Mark Durkan knows better than most that the Assembly has not got the fiscal controls to alleviate the present financial crisis facing people. It neither has the ability to reduce income tax, product tax or to increase benefits.”

“Mark Durkan was DFM when he capitulated to the British Exchequer by accepting a long term loan rather than push for a substantial peace dividend (and his party’s) Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie has the power to wipe off the debt accrued under Working Tax Credits due to overpayments by the Department,” she added.