The SDLP is demanding the Agriculture Minister to expedite payments to business owners who have been affected by flooding in Northern Ireland.

SDLP Upper Bann MLA Dolores Kelly said Minister Michelle O'Neill is yet to refer a business case to the Department of Finance and Personnel to extend relief funds to businesses affected by flooding.

Minister O'Neill announced the plan would go ahead on 21 January.

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Mrs Kelly said: "We are now 3 months since the flooding began and 6 weeks to the day since the Agriculture Minister belatedly and with great publicity backed Mark H Durkan's plan to extend relief funds to businesses affected by flooding. It is absolutely outrageous that she has yet to submit a business case to the Department of Finance and Personnel.

"If it is the case that Michelle O'Neill intends to sit on her hands and make a move closer to the election she has a lot to learn about her responsibilities as a Minister. While she waits for the moment to be most politically advantageous, business owners are laying off staff and shutting up shop.

"I raised these delays last month and we have still received no explanation from Minister O'Neill as to why this relatively straightforward plan is taking so long."

(CD)