The Alliance Party has slammed the delays in introducing the Regeneration Bill.

The legislation, which had its second stage in the Assembly on Tuesday, will transfer regeneration functions from central government to the new Councils. However, due to the delays, this will not happen until 2016, a year after the new Councils assume authority.

Alliance MLA Stewart Dickson MLA said: "This legislation should have been introduced two years ago. The delay will now mean that the new Councils will not be able to proceed with local regeneration projects when they assume authority on the 1st April. There will be much uncertainty until these powers are transferred, especially over funding for key projects during this period. It is a completely unacceptable situation.

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"This Bill is a pale reflection of its former self as it no longer includes housing fitness powers, which was removed at the behest of Sinn Fein.

"This is another example of the problems within the Executive in delivering major policies. There was no reason for these delays and those responsible should be held to account for the consequences. There are too many issues that have been held up in the Executive due to the inability of the DUP and Sinn Fein to reach agreement. I hope that the proposals in the Stormont House Agreement will improve the internal workings of the Executive but I fear it will fall short of the Stormont reboot that Alliance has been calling for."

(CD/MH)