The Northern Assembly has backed calls to appoint a commissioner to investigate the conduct of its members.
Failure by MLAs to register or declare their interests could be dealt with by the commissioner, the chairman of the Committee on Standards and Privilege, Mr Donovan McClelland, announced yesterday.
"The appointment of a commissioner to investigate complaints would promote the credibility and integrity of the investigative process, the Committee on Standards and Privileges and the Assembly." Sanctions should also be introduced to deal with members found guilty of breaching the code of conduct, Mr McClelland said. At present the Assembly's standing orders prevent any penalties from being imposed on MLAs.
After months of uncertainty it also emerged yesterday that the Toome bypass would be built. The Minister of Finance, Mr Mark Durkan, announced the allocation of £12.5 million sterling for the project, which will eliminate a notorious bottleneck on the Belfast to Derry road.
Major upgrades on three other main roads were also approved - the A1 Dublin to Belfast road between Loughbrickland and Beechhill, the A8 between Belfast and Larne and the A4 between Dungannon and Ballygawley.
Children's projects also received £10.5 million in the first set of allocations from the Executive Programme funds.
The Assembly approved an aid package for the North's pig farmers.
The Pig Industry Restructuring Scheme will provide compensation for farmers who want to move away from pig rearing and financial aid for those who wish to remain. A total of £44 million has been set aside for the UK-wide scheme.
Agriculture Minister Mrs Brid Rodgers said the scheme would benefit an industry hit hard in recent years by cheap imports and the strength of sterling.